Via Transilvanica · Bucovina

Map of the route through Bucovina

Seven stages, from Putna Monastery to Lunca Ilvei. Each has its own page, with the route described step by step.

Eight routes, including variant B from Putna, which takes a different way to the same Sucevița.

What to know beforehand

The Via Transilvanica starts in front of Putna Monastery, founded by Stephen the Great, and drops through the Obcine ridges into the Dorna country. It is the opening land, and the hardest of the early ones: whoever crosses the Obcine is ready for the rest of the road.

You will find two figures for the length of this land: 144 km and 136 km. The difference comes from rerouting over the years; the truth sits somewhere between, and today's GPX track measures 146.

• 144 kmPutna → Poiana Stampei
• 8 routesseven stages, plus variant B
• 1.178 mthe hardest day, stage 2
• borna 100stands at Vatra Dornei

• The hiker's bookletstamps

  You buy it online or, on the trail, at Putna — from the museum inside the monastery grounds and from Beautiful Market, the shop at the petrol station opposite the entrance — and at the Mestecăniș pass, from the mini-market below Restaurant Mestecăniș. The stage stamp you collect on arrival, from your lodging, the monastery or the information point, depending on the village; each stage page says where.

• The gate latcheshouse rule

  The trail runs through farmyards. The wooden latches are there so the cows do not wander off the pasture: if you open a gate, you close it behind you. It is an unwritten rule here, and a matter of respect for the people.

• Sheepdogsetapele 2, 3, 4

  You will almost certainly meet them. Stay calm, keep your distance and speak to them kindly. If that fails, call for the shepherd: “Ține la oi!” or “Cheamă-ți câinii!”. Not even the people who waymarked the trail ever used spray or firecrackers, and they have passed here hundreds of times.

• By bikevery hard

  Bucovina calls for an enduro bike, helmet and body protection, and between Putna and Vatra Dornei you push the bike for roughly 75% of the route. From Vatra Dornei on it gets easier.

• When people walk itmai–octombrie

  That is the good window. Winter is no good: deep snow and closed lodgings. Set off around eight in the morning, so you still have light at the end of the stage.

• What it costsper day

  Reckon on 100–200 lei per person per night and 30–75 lei for a meal. At parish houses and with some locals it says “donation”: you leave what you think right. These are rough prices — confirm them when you call.

Stages, waymarks, ascents, lodgings and rules are those published officially by the Tășuleasa Social association, which waymarked and maintains the trail. Prices and contacts change from season to season.