Transylvania TRAILS

(Kalnoky Estate)

Romania

Spend a week riding through wild landscapes, staying in centuries-old castles, and sharing meals with locals in one of Europe’s most mysterious regions! Joining Count Kalnoky’s riding holiday is the perfect way to discover this beautiful and historic side of Romania. You’ll be introduced to the laid-back culture of Transylvanian village life and the equestrian traditions that have preserved their original roles. The landscapes and villages here haven’t changed much over the centuries. The Count’s castle*, guesthouse, and King Henry III's private retreat, where you’ll stay for a few nights, date back to the 1800s. They have been carefully restored and decorated to match the Transylvanian style of that period. This adventure is truly a step back in time!

This itinerary is roughly 120 km long, with 4 -6 hours spent in the saddle each day, crossing the Erdővidék region (or “Woodlands”). Set against the backdrop of the Carpathian mountain range, you’ll ride through beautiful meadows and hills filled with wildflowers, cross forests with stunning colors, and stop in charming villages.

The horses are suited for different types of riders and terrain, making them your best allies during this trip! They are sure-footed, resilient, and spirited, yet easy to handle. Riding these horses is an absolute delight!

Want to read about our experience in Transylvania? Check out our blog!

Group of horses and riders next to a Transylvanian farmhouse

QUICK GUIDE

  • Airport: Bucharest, Romania

  • Intermediate to advanced riders

  • From €1480 to €1750 per person

  • 6 nights, 5 riding days

  • Group size: Min 3. Max 8

  • The riding season is from April to October only!

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Ride through the breathtaking Transylvanian landscapes: A 120 km adventure through meadows, hills, and colorful forests, all set against the beautiful Carpathian Mountains.

  • Stay in Count Kalnoky’s 1800s castle*, guesthouse, & King Charles III's private retreat, all beautifully restored to their original charm.

  • Discover the laid-back culture of Transylvanian villages, untouched by time and full of local traditions.

horses and riders galloping through a green lush field in Transylvania, Romania.

PRICING & INFORMATION

  • *Low Season: €1480 per person (April, July-October)

  • *High Season: €1750 per person (May & June)

What's Included:

  • 6 nights accommodation (shared rooms)*

  • 5 days of riding

  • Full board (from dinner on arrival until breakfast on departure)

Not Included:

  • Flights

  • Travel insurance (compulsory)

  • Drinks (except bottled water)

  • Airport transfers (see “extras” section for quotes)

  • Tips & other personal expenses.

  • *Single rooms may be available at supplement (€30/ night).

Riders on horseback walking out of a forest in Transylvania, surrounded by trees with autumn-colored leaves on each side

More information about the ride…

  • Accommodation:

    1st & 4th nights are spent at the Kalnoky castle* or guesthouse, with private bathrooms.
    (Note that there are only 5 rooms at the castle. Events are also sometimes hosted there, therefore it's not always available.)
    2nd night will be at a local guesthouse, with shared bathrooms.
    3rd night spent in a rustic guesthouse in the Batanii villages, with own bathrooms.
    5th & 6th nights will be spent at HRH King Charles III's private retreat in Zalanpatak, with private bathrooms.

    Food:

    Meals are enjoyed together as 'table d'hôte' and are prepared on-site from local ingredients, reflecting the diverse Transylvanian cuisines. Special dietary needs must be specified in advance. During the day, picnics and barbecues are provided, and in the warm season, 'al fresco' dinners in the hills are available at an extra cost.

  • The horses will be math to each riders' level, taking account their preference whenever possible.

    Breeds include Shagya-Arabian, Lipizzaner, Gidran, Lipizzaner crosses with Hutzuls, and Turkmen Akhal Teke, all known for their speed, endurance, and intelligence. Ranging from 14.2hh to 17hh, these horses are spirited yet calm and adaptable, making them ideal for rough and steep terrain. English general purpose saddles and snaffle bridles are used.

    These are the horses you'll get the chance to ride:

    • the beautiful and resistant Shagya-Arabian

    • the fast Akhal Teke with its shiny and metallic sheen

    • the powerful Lipizzaner

    • the Hungarian chestnut: Gidran

    • Lipizzaner’s crossed with the Carpathian mountain pony: Hutzuls

  • Intermediate / Experienced

    4 to 6 hours will be spent everyday in the saddle while crossing varied terrain. It is expected that every rider is experienced enough to ride through open fields and steep paths and is comfortable walking, trotting and galloping.

    Riders should be fit enough to be able to follow the group for about 120km during the 5 days of the trail ride.

    Weight limit is 90kg.

    *All riders need to bring their own equipment, including hard hats

    *Travel/health insurance it is compulsory

  • 2025:

    • 6th – 12th  April – Dandelion tour

    • 20th – 26th April – Forget – Me – Not tour

    • 4th – 10th May – Ragged-Robin tour

    • 18th – 24th  May – Royal Midget tour – (FULLY BOOKED)

    • 1st – 7th June - Daisy tour - (4 SADDLES AVAILABLE)

    • 15th – 21st  June – Harebell tour – (FULLY BOOKED)

    • 29th June  – 5th July – Bluebonnet tour (4 SADDLES AVAILABLE)

    • 13th – 19th July – Arnica Montana tour

    • 27th July  – 2nd August – Rock Rose tour

    • 10th – 16th August – Silver Hawkweed tour – (FULLY BOOKED)

    • 24th  - 30th  August -  Knapweed tour

    • 7th – 13th  September – Autumn Crocus tour

    • 21st – 27th  September -  Golden Forest tour

    • 5th – 11th   October – Flamboyant Foliage tour

    • 19th  – 25th   October – Rosehip tour

  • SINGLE ROOM

    €30 per night.
    Paid locally. Subject to availability;

    TRANSFERS

    Prices shown hereunder are for one way, per person for 2–3 passengers per ride.
    (Prices are double if alone. Discounted rates if more than 3 passengers in the car.)

    Augustin Train Station Transfer: €17pp

    Brasov Train Station Transfer: €35pp

    Bucharest Airport Transfer: €90pp

    Bucharest city centre is an additional €10pp.

    Notes:

    • the preferred route is to get picked-up at Brasov Train station. You can get there from Bucharest by train (approx 3h - €30).

    • the transfer will be paid locally

    • other city of arrival /departure please enquire

TRANSYLVANIA TRAILS ITINERARY

  • Arrival at Miklósvár / Miclosoara

    No horse riding

    Welcome in Miklósvár ! A charming village where most of the houses have been carefully restored to preserve the authentic Transylvanian character. Your guide or Countess Anna Kálnoky will meet you there and you will discuss which horse will accompany you during your journey.

    You'll be staying in the guesthouses which are dating back to the 1800's, or in the castle's five rooms. The cottages are located in vast gardens and they are beautifully furnished with Transylvanian Szekler and Saxon antiques. You might even be able to spot some storks nesting on the roofs of the houses. Be ready for a big step back in time !

  • Accommodation in Malnas Bai

    Horse riding distance & time: 21km, 4-5 hours.

    You'll start the day by car to Valea Crisului (Sepsikőröspatak, “Round Brook” - approx40 min by car) to meet your horse.

    You will start this first ride heading north on high pastures to get a most beautiful view on the Carpathian range. You'll get to cross paths with shepherds and villages. By the end of the day you'll reach Malnas Bai (Málnásfürdő, “Raspberry Baths”) where you will stay at a local's guest house (shared accommodation and bathroom).

    This village was once a thriving spa, and it's architecture still shows it.

  • Accommodation in the Batanii villages

    Horse riding distance & time: 22km, 5 hours.

    Time to get back in the saddle and head to the deep forests of the Hatod region. You might be able to spot some bear traces on the forest track: the Carpathian mountains does have the one of the largest population of brown bear of Europe after all !

    After having ridden around the extinct volcano called “Murgó”, you'll descend on gentle grassy slopes to the Batanii villages (“Big Bacon and Little Bacon”) to reach your accommodations in a guesthouse close to “Little Bacon". You'll share dinner with the local family but only after visiting their watermill and traditional looms, which they are very proud of !

  • Head back to Miklosvar's manor grounds and stables.

    Horse riding distance & time: 25km, 6 hours.

    Head northwest through forests and hay meadows, to climb up to Szép Arca (“Pretty Face”) hill on the southern slopes of the Hargita Range. You'll enjoy beautiful views of Barót and Olt Valley which you'll cross later on to reach the hills south of Barót. Once there you will enjoy a nice picnic at a small lake. It is the result of a collapsed mine and is situated at the old mining settlement 'Köpecbánya' which is now mainly populated by gypsies. 

    You'll continue the ride following the beautiful valley of the Olt river, reaching Miklosvar's manor grounds and stables in the afternoon. Time enough to visit the castle, museum and park in the afternoon! Tonight you'll sleep in the count's guesthouses or castle.

  • Head to Zalánpatak / Valea Zalanului: King Charles III' private retreat

    Horse riding distance & time: 21km, 4-5 hours.

    Today you'll climb up to a ridge above Zalánpatak valley to get another breathtaking view of open fields and mountains in the distance. You'll get there after crossing forests and pastures as well as ‘Dry’ Ajta village (Szárazajta / Aita Seaca).

    After this you'll head towards Zalánpatak / Valea Zalanului, which was part of the Kálnoky family estate as a glass manufacture and now harbours King Charles III' private retreat. In this village houses have also been restored in the traditional style. You'll be accommodates here for the next two nights.

    Before dinner, you can enjoy an evening walk on the King's retreat and in the village.

  • Kőröspatak and accommodation in Zalánpatak (King Charles III' private retreat)

    Horse riding distance & time: 19km, 4 hours.

    For this last day of horse riding, you'll experience a trip which many generations of Kalnoky's family used to do. They often needed to join two villages by horseback: Zalánpatak and Kőröspatak. This trail ride will get you though hills, brooks, creeks and an ancient village called Kálnok. The landscapes here are spectacular with again amazing views from the high pastures.

    Get ready for your last canter which will take you to the ruins of the old tower above Kőröspatak.

    You will be transferred back to Zalánpatak guesthouse for the evening.

  • Depart after breakfast, or add a few days of relaxation and tours based at Count Kálnoky’s Guesthouses in Miklósvár.

    You can reach out for more information.

Group of riders on horseback walking through a green pasture in the transylvanian countryside, surrounded by open fields and hills.
Group of people riding horses on a green lush track in Romania.
Beautiful transylvanian farmhouse at down.
Transylvanian landscape in the morning light with a slight fog over the forest.
Group of riders on horseback in a forest with autumn-colored leaves in Transylvania, Romania.
Antique restored living room in a typical farmhouse in Romania.
Group of riders horse trekking through the Transylvanian forest.
Beautifully set table in an antique, restored dinning room in a romanian farmhouse.
Group of people trail riding with horses in the nature in Romania.
Group of people horse trekking in the transylvanian countryside.
Trail horses grazing in a green field in Romania.
Bedroom in a traditional guest house in Romania.
Beautiful wooden living room in a restored farmhouse in Romania.
Traditional farmhouse in Transylvania.
Bear watching in Transylvania, Romania.
Trekking horse grasing in a field in Transylvania.
Horse trekking journey through Transylvania.
Group of people trail riding with horses in the nature.
Typical transylvanian farmhouses in Romania.