Transcarpathia ultra camp

Meeting with the guides. 3 hours car transfer to our starting place, Olanesti resort. A “lost in time” healing and thermal baths resort nestled in Lotrului massif, Olanesti will surprise us with the mix of modern, posh, kitsch and communist buildings and styles. Check-in, technical meeting, dinner.

The massif we enjoy today is called Capatanii. It means “the head”, and it will be the head of our traverse. Across our first 20k, a multitude of beautiful monasteries and crucifix shrines will make us pray the Lord for power and endurance for the journey.

After a long warm-up on forestry roads and sweet paths, we take the slope. Very steep ascents are leading us towards marvellous rocky ridge of Vanturarita. Harsh terrain will force us to adjust the pace. Slowly and with difficulty we make way through the forest, branches and fallen trees being something normal here. After reaching the highest point of the day we’ll notice the descent is also tough and slow. Steep and unfriendly zig-zag paths will lead us back to civilisation, and the final kilometres will be done on the road.

We reach Voineasa, once a diamond communist resort, now yet a charming village in the mountains.

We are crossing today Lotrului massif, from Valcea county to Sibiu county. Very runnable ground will make a big difference from the day before. Mostly sheltered by the forest, we easily gain distance and altitude. The views will open at the middle of the course showing us infinite lands of hills and mountains. Later on we’ll be able to see the city of Sibiu lying at our feet as an ant moss.

The vast architectural heritage of Sibiu is the result of different cultures. The former center of Transylvanian Saxons is today an important cultural and tourist spot. Sections of the Old City Wall still surround the medieval old town, which is divided into the Upper Town and the Lower Town. In the Middle Ages, Saxon (German) settlers built several merchant houses within the walls. Plenty of old churches, cute historical houses and narrow alleys complete the feast. Moreover, its old town is a real neighbourhood inhabited by charming and hospitable locals. We also recommend a massage, relaxing at the spa and eating good food rich in carbohydrates before hitting the road again. Evening transfer to Balea Lake 2005m on fantastic Tranfagarasan road (best driving road in the world according to Top Gear).

The toughest stage. Long, technical, dramatic. Prepare your head torches, expect 12 hours on the mountains. We’ll strike out at first light. After 13km we reach the highest summit in the country 2544m, and we continue the rollercoaster ride on the unending display of peaks. Every each of them seems to be the last, but it’s not. Surreal views all around. When we finally finish the Fagaras ridge and enter the milk and honey Piatra Craiului massif, we’ll be too tired to run. We will expect downhill as a blessing but every step will be pain. We’ll struggle to reach our picturesque mountain chalet, our fairy-tale overnight house, our “best ever sleeping place”. And the victory will be supreme.

A stage more enjoyable than demanding. Bran village will welcome us with good food and well deserved comfort. Optional a visit to the infamous Dracula's castle, inspiration for famous vampire novel and thousands of movies.  

Transcarpathia ultra camp is getting to an end on marvellous trails. We are led towards our goal by crystal clear creeks, shadowed thick forests, sunny meadows, abrupt screes, pleasant downhills, and trails covered in moss. A cheap, cold beer in the square of medieval town of Brasov will consent our triumph.

Breakfast.

Fair-well, end of the trip.