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A path winding road through craggy Zărneşti 29 gorge in the Piatra Craiului National Park, Romania

LOCATION to START/FINISH Kuźnice (loop) DISTANCE 17 km (10.5 miles) TIME 8.5 hours DIFFICULTY Moderate INFORMATION Best May to September, when dry

Skirting the mountainous border between Poland and Slovakia, this circular hike takes in the Tatras’ most spectacular scenery, from craggy cliffs to pristine pine forest.

This day hike begins in Kuźnice, the southern edge of 30 the chalet-dotted Polish city of . Fringed by DRACULA’S evergreen pines, the wide cobblestone track narrows Carpathian CASTLE as you pass a simple, timber-built monastery, the Bran Castle is Hermitage of Brother Albert, while the views widen Mountains colloquially known as and unfurl. Hala Kondratowa, a historic mountain “Dracula’s Castle”, yet LOCATION Romania START/FINISH Sinaia/Zărnești hut, makes the perfect place to pause, smell the car- there’s no evidence DISTANCE 50 km (30 miles) TIME 4 days DIFFICULTY nations, and drink in the sweeping vista of golden that Dracula novelist Moderate INFORMATION www.romania.travel brush, forest-veiled valleys and soaring rocky peaks. Bram Stoker ever knew about it. Regardless, From the hut, it’s a steep ascent on slippery Explore Europe’s last great wilderness on this it’s a site worth visit ing sheets of rock to reach Giewont’s summit, but the four-day hike through the heart of Romania’s for its 14th-century panoramas improve with every step. Beyond lies the captivating Carpathian Mountains. most scenic part of the hike, as the wind swept path architecture, the levels out into a rugged ridge walk. Ride the crest of Emerald forests, medieval castles and wildflower-dusted display of royal art and furniture, and the exhi- the mountain all the way to the big-ticket peak of mountains: these are some of the sights you’ll be treated to bition on Romanian . Polish pinnacles dominate on the along this Transylvanian trail. Starting above Peleş Castle in the peasant culture. left, with Slovakian summits to the right; mark - chocolate-box town of Sinaia, the trail zigzags up into the forest, ers along the path indicate where the border lies. oering glimpses of rolling Prahova Valley through the trees. Before descending through the alpine forest Quaint cabanas (mountain huts) provide overnight shelter into Kuźnice, stop at the summit and soak up the as you delve deeper into nature. Traversing forest paths and panoramic views one last time – you’ve earned it. sleepy streams, you’ll pass unusual rock forma tions, and lucky hikers may catch sight of the Carpathian Chamois, a rare spe- cies of goat-antelope known for its black fur and white head. Heading towards Zărnești, the picturesque town which ends The High Tatras Poland Ed et your hike, pause in the fairy-tale village of Bran, famed for its qui ad quam nihilite sint dolo 14th-century castle. From here, the limestone clis of Piatra ius dolut laut magnatur, venihillabo. Et alitatur aut Craiului National Park give way to the soaring clis of Zărnești aditat lat offic to idel Gorge, lined with caves, chasms and climbing spots galore.

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