Why hikers should ditch the Swiss Alps for this mountain range in Romania

Why hikers should try this mountain range in Romania — Hikers pause on a ridgeline trail to look for the perfect selfie shot. Will their backdrop for the Instagram-worthy photo be the snow-dusted peaks or alpine meadows dotted with wild daisies and bellflowers? Meanwhile, below, traditional wooden churches poke through the morning mist; their spires rising above rustic villages. And at a distance, the sound of small bells hanging from the necks of hungry sheep grazing can heard. But it's not Switzerland's Bernese Oberland—it's the view from the Via Transilvanica, Romania's ambitious new 870-mile-long hiking route through some of Europe's lesser-known mountains. 

Exploring beyond the legend of Dracula

While the Swiss Alps have long been the default destination for mountain getaways in Europe, the Transylvanian Alps of Romania offer equally majestic mountains at a fraction of the cost. Transylvania, whose Latin name means "land beyond the forest," has been a crossroads of civilizations for centuries. Roman, Ottoman, Hungarian, and Saxon influences left their marks on everything from architecture to cuisine.

Of course, Transylvania is Dracula's homeland, but all that press about Bram Stoker's iconic character obscures the region's remarkable heritage and natural splendor. The Transylvanian Alps, part of the larger Carpathian Mountain range, are both some of the last wild places on the continent and home to Europe's largest populations of big carnivores, including an estimated 6,400 brown bears and more than 2,000 wolves, alongside red deer, lynx and now, the European bison or wisent.

Via Transilvanica runs north to south in Romania, wandering past wild peaks and 12 UNESCO World Heritage sites. The trail is perhaps one of the best ways to experience the region's natural wonders and cultural ones like traditional towns such as Sighişoara. Visitors to the town can witness firsthand the abundant wildflower meadows—a tapestry of color that supports traditional honey production and provides crucial habitat for endangered pollinators.

(Related: A Yellowstone for Europe? Inside the bold effort to rewild the continent.)

Home to an ambitious rewilding project

The Transylvanian Alps are at the heart of one of the most ambitious rewilding projects on the continent. Rewilding Europe is working to restore natural processes and rebuild wildlife corridors across the southern portion of the range, reintroducing missing species and helping local villages benefit from nature-based tourism.

In 2014, the organization's local chapter, Rewilding Romania, reintroduced 10 European bison in the Țarcu Mountains. The nonprofit has developed tours into the forest to observe the 200 animals in the wild, including other species like chamois, bears, and birds. But it's the bison that are the key species.

"They are just great landscape architects," says Sebastian Ursuta, a communications officer for Rewilding Romania. "Their foraging keeps forest meadows open. Their fur provides nesting material for birds and even their heavy hoofprints, which the rains turn into puddles, allow frogs to [hopscotch] to other ponds."

Other wild places include Piatra Craiului National Park, home to this natural bounty along with its dramatic white limestone ridges and pristine forests. Movie fans might recognize its picturesque landscapes from the movie Cold Mountain, but the real stars are the park's remarkable biodiversity and network of hiking trails. Visitors can trek through one of Europe's last old-growth forests while keeping an eye out for some of the impressive wildlife. 

(Related: Bears, wolves and rewilding in Romania's Southern Carpathian Mountains.)

An affordable ski destination and cultural sites abound

For those seeking winter thrills without Swiss prices, winter transforms Piatra Craiului into an affordable ski destination. The slopes may be less extensive, but they offer pristine conditions and authentic mountain hospitality at prices that make Western European schussers do a double take. While a peak season day pass at Switzerland's iconic Zermatt resort runs around $102 in Swiss francs, Romania's premier Poiana Brașov ski resort offers a full-day lift ticket for roughly $46 in Romanian Leu (RON). Romania uses its currency, not the euro.

Beyond natural wonders, the region's cultural heritage proves equally compelling. The Transfǎgǎrasan Highway, a 56-mile (90-kilometer) serpentine journey through the Fǎgǎraș Mountains, at 8,000-feet, is the highest part of the Transylvanian Alps. It offers road-trippers one of Europe's most spectacular drives. Two historic towns, Sibiu and Brasov make for good base camps.

Immersive excursions through two historic towns

Sibiu
With a population of more than 154,000, Sibiu exudes a medieval character. Its old medieval city town is divided between an upper town, perched along a terrace, and lower town, located along the Cibin River, which is reminiscent of Switzerland's Bern and its similar split-level design atop the Aare River. The two are connected by a series of narrow cobbled alleys known as the Fingerling Stairway.

Founded by Saxon settlers in the 12th century, Sibiu's historic center still showcases its past with remnants of the red brick walls built to thwart Turkish attacks during the 15th and 16th centuries—nicknamed "Red Town." Three original watchtowers stand testament to the settlers' craftsmanship. Cultural highlights include the Austrian Baroque Brukenthal Museum filled with paintings, engravings, and rare books and impressive religious architecture spanning Lutheran, Orthodox, and Catholic traditions.

Brașov
Brașov became one of Transylvania's seven walled citadels, founded by Teutonic Knights in 1211. The city earned its German name Kronstadt (Crown City) through the wealth of those German merchants who thrived at this crossroads between Ottoman and Western European trade routes. Today, it is a charming, walkable town of 277,945 residents with centuries-old fortifications and towers reminiscent of Lucerne, Switzerland. 

Visitors can squeeze through the 4-foot-wide Rope Street (Strada Sforii), one of Europe's narrowest passages, where legend claims couples who kiss here will never part. The imposing Black Church (Biserica Neagră) takes its name from the 1689 "Great Fire" that darkened its walls, and inside, it houses Eastern Europe's largest organ. From Mount Tâmpa's terrace, the letters spelling out "Brașov" are visible for miles like Hollywood's iconic sign.

Transylvania's Alps may lack the name recognition of their Swiss counterpart, but that's precisely their charm. Among these less-traveled mountains, visitors find not just high peaks but a preserved portion of Romania where traditional ways of life continue. It's a slow-paced place where adventurous travelers can experience a Europe that's wild, authentic, and full of wonder.

(Related: Find out why Brașov made National Geographic's Best of the World 2025.)

Where to stay

For contemporary rusticity, try the Matca, a Relais & Châteaux property with 18 rooms and 20 villas, located in Simon, Romania. The handsome wood and stone hotel features activities such as beekeeping, hay bathing, and hiking, and offers an on-site luxe spa, gym, and restaurant with a view of the Bucegi Mountains.

For a less ostentatious stay, consider the Valea Verde Resort in Cund, set in a restored Saxon village, where rooms feature handcrafted furniture and locally woven textiles. Rewilding Romania's bison project works with several local AirBnbs or visitors can opt for Transylvania Log Cabins, a series of rustic cottages set in the woods in nearby Hunedoara.

What to eat

Romania's cuisine offers delightful alternatives to Swiss staples for travelers who want to taste the local food. Caș, a traditional fresh sheep's milk cheese is found in local farmers' markets.

While Emmental and Gruyère cheeses are other Swiss favorites, Transylvania counters with brânză de burduf (aged cheese fermented in pine bark or animal skin casings) that offers similarly complex flavors. The Swiss enjoy rösti or fried potatoes, while Romanians gobble mămăligă, a polenta-like cornmeal dish.

The Carpathians are also renowned for their honey production with artisanal varieties that rival Switzerland's but with unique floral profiles that reflect the region's remarkable biodiversity.

(Related: Why Bucharest is Europe’s next great food destination.)