4.9

Hike Romania's Carpathian Mountains in Winter

  • Romania
  • 3 nights

Head to the Apuseni Mountains to crunch through untouched powder and explore a mysterious network of ancient caves

What's Included?

  • Activities & Certified GuidesAll itinerary activities with expert, local, English-speaking guides
  • Guesthouse3 nights in a family-run guesthouse
  • MealsAll breakfasts, lunches, and dinners
  • TransfersTo and from the airport and everything in between
  • Equipment & PermitsAll your snowshoe equipment, permits and licenses
  • Small Like-minded GroupsSolo-friendly by design, join our small n’ sociable groups of up to 10 like-minded, active and outdoorsy people

From…excluding flights

Highlights

  • Snowshoe your way along pristine trails through untouched landscapes and snow-laden forests

  • Explore Vârtop Cave, where Neanderthals once trod, and delve into a spectacular network of karstic caverns

  • Enjoy warm Romanian hospitality in a traditional guesthouse, nestled in a remote mountain hamlet

  • Featured as one of the '20 best activity holidays in Europe' by The Guardian

Itinerary

    Day 1

    Welcome to Casa de Piatra!

    Guesthouse
    Twin or triple share
    Lunch and dinner included
    Show Day 1 detail

    Meet your host at the airport and drive to the small town of Turda for a late lunch. Next, continue to the village of Garda de Sus and then on to the Apuseni Mountains in the Western Carpathians. These secluded mountains comprise impressive karstic peaks up to 1800m, dotted with forests, prehistoric caves, deep gorges and picturesque villages. You'll stay in the remote hamlet of Casa de Piatra, where you’ll be welcomed by a local family in their simple, cosy guesthouse – a unique opportunity to experience traditional Romanian hospitality in a remote spot, away from the tourist hotspots of Transylvania. Enjoy a hot drink followed by a briefing with your guide and, time permitting, head out to explore the surrounding area by snowshoe before dinner.

    Day 2

    The heart of the Apuseni Mountains

    Snowshoeing
    6-7hrs · 14km · 540m up · 540m down
    Guesthouse
    Twin or triple share
    All meals included
    Show Day 2 detail

    Don your snowshoes and head deep into the Romanian wilderness across pristine snow. Stop for tea with a local family and learn about their life in the mountains, then follow narrow trails lined with wild animal tracks to return to your guesthouse in time for dinner.

    Day 3

    Explore Transylvania's underground wonderland

    Snowshoeing
    5-6hrs · 11km · 340m up · 300m down
    Caving
    1hr
    Guesthouse
    Twin or triple share
    All meals included
    Show Day 3 detail

    This morning you'll hike to the Vârtop Cave, famous for the unreal beauty of its rock formations. Dripping with imposing stalagmites and stalactites, this fascinating site used to house fossilised footprints made by a Neanderthal about 67,800 years ago. You'll then head to Coiba Mare, the largest cave portal in Romania, to explore this unique system of caverns. After lunch back at your guesthouse, head out onto the snow once again to visit the Tauz karstic spring, the deepest underwater cave in Romania. With its blue-green eye of water at the foot of an impressive rock wall, it is without doubt the most beautiful spring in the Romanian karst landscape.

    Day 4

    One last hike

    Snowshoeing
    2-3hrs · 5km · 100m up · 60m down
    Breakfast and lunch included
    Show Day 4 detail

    Enjoy some final time on the pristine powder, then after a spot of lunch, head back to the airport in time for your flight home.

Practical Stuff

Getting There

Nearest airport
Cluj-Napoca International Airport (CLJ)
Pick up
Cluj-Napoca Airport
13:45 on Day 1
Drop off
Cluj-Napoca Airport
15:00 on Day 4

Detailed Logistics

Transfers

Your adventure begins at Cluj-Napoca Airport (CLJ) with your transfer departing at 13:45. Please schedule your flight to arrive more than 30 minutes before this time, your host will be waiting for you in the arrivals area. As it is a 3-hour drive to the guesthouse, your host is unable to organise a private transfer; if you would like to arrive early or extend your stay, you will need to hire a car.

At the end of your adventure, you will be dropped back at Cluj-Napoca Airport at 15:00. You’re free to book any flight that departs after 17:00.

Travel options

There are regular flights to Cluj-Napoca Airport from airports across the UK and Europe.

Trip level explained

Level 3

Moderate

No special skills are required, just a good fitness level and the ability to handle three to seven hours of hiking or snowshoeing per day. There will be some some short uphill sections to climb, but overall no significant elevation gain. Prior hiking experience is recommended as it will make your experience more enjoyable. This will very much depend on the snow conditions at time of travel. Between January and March, the Apuseni mountains are is usually covered in snow. If snow is present, all hikes will take place using snowshoes and poles (these are included in the trip price and provided locally).

Snowshoes are a special type of footwear that enables you to spread your weight over a larger area, allowing you to move easily across powdery snow-covered terrain. If you have never tried this activity before, don't worry! Snowshoeing is incredibly easy, comfortable and safe. You simply clip your snowshoe to the outside of your hiking boot and off you go. You'll be in the hands of experienced and trained local guides who know the area intimately, who will guide you safely throughout the hike. You'll also have the opportunity to test the snowshoes on Day 1, before you head out on longer excursions on Days 2 and 3.

Climate Factors To Consider

This trip visits locations where daytime temperatures can be extremely cold and consistently below freezing (0C/32F) during the times of year when this trip operates. Temperatures at night will likely be even colder. Personal care should be taken to keep as warm as possible in the conditions, such as wearing appropriate clothing and proper hydration and nutrition. Very cold temperatures can impair an individual’s physical abilities to perform an activity that they may otherwise be able to do competently at warmer temperatures. In severe cold conditions people may experience symptoms associated with Exposure, Frostbite and Hypothermia (opens in new tab). Your guide(s) are trained to mitigate the risks associated with cold temperatures, by carefully managing the intensity of the activity, and to provide the appropriate support response should someone feel ill during the trip. Should you experience health issues during your trip you should inform your guide immediately so the proper care can be provided.

Remote environment: factors to consider

Some parts of this trip take place in areas where access to medical facilities and emergency services may be limited. This may mean that reaching medical care takes longer than you might normally expect, or that local medical facilities have fewer resources than those you may be used to at home.

If someone becomes unwell or injured, initial treatment may be provided locally before onward travel to a larger hospital or city for further care. Evacuation could involve changing the planned route or using different forms of transport to reach appropriate medical facilities. Mobile phone coverage may also be intermittent in some locations.

Your guide is trained to manage situations in remote environments and will monitor the group and respond appropriately if any issues arise. However, it’s important that you let your guide know straight away if you feel unwell or experience any health concerns during the trip.

Before booking, consider your personal health and ability to travel in locations where access to medical care may be delayed. If you have any pre-existing medical conditions or concerns, we recommend seeking advice from a medical professional and discussing them with your host before travelling.

All travellers must have suitable travel insurance that covers the activities included in the trip and emergency medical evacuation if required.

What is and isn't Included?

What's included

  • Guided snowshoeing into the Apuseni Mountains
  • Guided snowshoeing to Vârtop and Coiba Mare caves, and the Tauz karstic spring
  • Guided snowshoeing around the hamlet of Casa de Piatra

  • Expert, local, English-speaking fully-certified guides

  • 3 nights in a family-run guesthouse

All your meals are provided for the duration of the trip. This includes:

  • 3 tasty breakfasts
  • 4 lunches
  • 3 dinners straight from the guesthouse farm

  • Group arrival transfer from Cluj-Napoca Airport on Day 1
  • Group departure transfer to Cluj-Napoca Airport on Day 4
  • Transfers during the trip

  • All your snowshoeing equipment

  • All permits and licenses

Where You'll Stay

Private room upgrades are not available on this trip due to the nature of the accommodation.

Casa Pietra pension - Photo: client sandy,mason

Casa de Piatra

Stay

Casa de Piatra

You’ll stay in a local guesthouse in the remote and beautiful hamlet of Casa de Piatra. The guesthouse offers comfortable twin- or triple-share rooms (same gender), on a full-board basis.

What You'll Eat

You'll eat delicious local food made with ingredients straight from the guesthouse farm. Usually this is a combination of vegetables, meat, home-produced dairy products and freshly baked bread. Warm soups are usually served as a starter and meals fin…

Food and Dietary info

You'll eat delicious local food made with ingredients straight from the guesthouse farm. Usually this is a combination of vegetables, meat, home-produced dairy products and freshly baked bread. Warm soups are usually served as a starter and meals finish with herbal teas (mainly blueberry) and coffee.

Most dietary requirements can be accommodated, including vegan, vegetarian and dairy free, just let your host know beforehand.

Optional Extras

Pre/Post Trip Accommodation

Extra night at Casa de Piatra (Single, Double or Twin)
…

Upgrades

Due to the nature of the accommodation, private rooms are not available on this trip.

To request any extras, message your host via your Much Better Adventures account once you have booked your trip.

All extras must be paid before your trip starts.

Ratings & Reviews

4.968 reviews
  • 3 stars (0)
  • 2 stars (0)
  • 1 star (0)

Category rating

Food
5.0
Guides & crew
5.0
Accommodation
5.0
Itinerary
5.0

Latest Reviews

  • Edit B.

    I had a wonderful time on this tour. It was truly a small group experience which I really appreciated. All aspects of the trip went perfectly and everything has been very well organized. Snowshoing was great fun, our guide Mihai was truly an expert and took great care of the whole group. Accomodation and food was super authentic and simply perfect. I was really happy that I was part of this experience.

  • Siarah K.

    The Carpathian Mountains were stunning and our guide Mikael was great. Food was also delicious

  • Daniel G.

    Though brief, this was a wonderful experience on what felt like the edge of wilderness in eastern Europe. Once we’d walked out of the village we were staying in, we didn’t see any other people and for most of the time the only tracks we saw in the snow were those of animals – hares, squirrels, wolves & bears are all in the area. The host family were very welcoming (all the food is grown/reared and cooked by them) and the accommodation comfortable. Mihai is a perfect guide – he was brimming with enthusiasm for the mountains, and has a great depth of knowledge about the region, its wildlife and its geology. His company at the table in the evenings was a joy and we spent many hours discussing the geography, history and nature of the region, as well as a great many other topics – I came away feeling genuinely enriched by my time in the mountains of Romania. I’ll always remember sitting in the afternoon sun with the group, surrounded by the silent snowy landscape we’d trekked into, while we had our lunch, chatted and toasted with our shots of palincǎ!

  • Portia H.

    This was an incredible long weekend, the mountains, caves and forests were absolutely stunning and really peaceful. Our hosts at the guest house looked after us so well, with delicious and varied food and an extremely warm welcome. The rooms were well-heated and comfy. Mihai our guide was fantastic, with so much local knowledge and we had great conversations in the evenings too. All with a brilliant group of people. Thank you MBA for a wonderful first trip, I can't wait to do another!

  • katia v.

    Great experience from start to finish - seamless booking, great info and comms, and welcome team. We had a lovely group of people and all got on. The hosts and guides were super friendly , knowledgeable and accommodating. The region which I had never visited was beautiful and full of little wonders which Mihai, our guide showed and explained. To top it all we had perfect weather : snow on the ground and sunshine and blue sky! We also had a bonus cultural mini tour from Geta on our way back to the airport, fantastic! And we definitely didn’t go hungry!

  • Rima N.

    Our guide Mihai was very knowledgeable and took everyone's different levels into consideration when organizing the hike/snowshoeing. The park is gorgeous and the caves very interesting. It really is a beautiful area. The guesthouse was rudimentary but had everything we needed with hot water and temperature control and our hosts were extremely generous with the wonderful food they made, all locally sourced. Very cute local dogs accompanied us on the hikes to make sure we were fine. It was a great experience and we may come back and visit in spring

  • Claire B.

    Amazing weekend in the Apuseni Mountains ! Sunshine, snow and a great group of people ranging from 24 to 67! Our Guide Mikai was excellent! So knowledgeable about the area and took great care to ensure that everyone had an amazing time ! The group quickly formed a great dynamic resulting in a trip to remember. Our guesthouse was warm and cosy and we were treated as family by our hosts . The traditional mountain food was tasty and abundant ; grown and prepared in the farmhouse kitchen all washed down with the local spirits ! We couldn’t have wished for better snowshoeing conditions and Mikai ensured that we spent as much time on the mountains as possible . . we snowshoed across virgin snow high above the village seeing no one else for whole of the first day ! . . An experience to remember

  • Edmund G.

    I did not want to come home. The mountains were beautiful, the beds were comfortable, and the food was plentiful and delicious. The hiking was a good balance of slightly challenging and easy. The views of the mountains and formations in the caves were stunning. It was a really fun group and we were very well looked after by Joanna and her husband. Our guide Mihai was a font of knowledge about the nature around us. He was also a great laugh which is a bonus.

  • Johan F.

    Well organized and the guide and team were very down to earth, sociable and professional, yet personal and creative. However, I would have liked longer hikes and more emphasis on the nature and surroundings.

  • Charlotte R.

    Had a wonderful time on this trip which me and my partner booked quite last minute. Our guide Mihai was incredible as were our host family in the mountains. The scenery was absolutely incredible and it was a great introduction to snowshoeing. I think however the itinerary on the website is not accurate. On day 2 we did the day 3 itinerary (and it seems this is the norm) and the morning hike on day 4 is more like 1hr than 2-3. HOWEVER it was a fantastic trip and this didn’t have any effect on the incredible time we had.

Customer Photos

4.968 reviews
  • 5 stars (63)
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  • 3 stars (0)
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Showing all 68 reviews

  • True adventure with great people

    Edit B. March 2026
    I had a wonderful time on this tour. It was truly a small group experience which I really appreciated. All aspects of the trip went perfectly and everything has been very well organized. Snowshoing was great fun, our guide Mihai was truly an expert and took great care of the whole group. Accomodation and food was super authentic and simply perfect. I was really happy that I was part of this experience.

  • The mountains were stunning

    Siarah K. March 2026
    The Carpathian Mountains were stunning and our guide Mikael was great. Food was also delicious

  • Miles of pristine snow and millions of trees.

    Daniel G. March 2026
    Though brief, this was a wonderful experience on what felt like the edge of wilderness in eastern Europe. Once we’d walked out of the village we were staying in, we didn’t see any other people and for most of the time the only tracks we saw in the snow were those of animals – hares, squirrels, wolves & bears are all in the area. The host family were very welcoming (all the food is grown/reared and cooked by them) and the accommodation comfortable. Mihai is a perfect guide – he was brimming with enthusiasm for the mountains, and has a great depth of knowledge about the region, its wildlife and its geology. His company at the table in the evenings was a joy and we spent many hours discussing the geography, history and nature of the region, as well as a great many other topics – I came away feeling genuinely enriched by my time in the mountains of Romania. I’ll always remember sitting in the afternoon sun with the group, surrounded by the silent snowy landscape we’d trekked into, while we had our lunch, chatted and toasted with our shots of palincǎ!

  • This was an incredible long

    Portia H. March 2026
    This was an incredible long weekend, the mountains, caves and forests were absolutely stunning and really peaceful. Our hosts at the guest house looked after us so well, with delicious and varied food and an extremely warm welcome. The rooms were well-heated and comfy. Mihai our guide was fantastic, with so much local knowledge and we had great conversations in the evenings too. All with a brilliant group of people. Thank you MBA for a wonderful first trip, I can't wait to do another!

  • Perfect short active get away

    katia v. March 2026
    Great experience from start to finish - seamless booking, great info and comms, and welcome team. We had a lovely group of people and all got on. The hosts and guides were super friendly , knowledgeable and accommodating. The region which I had never visited was beautiful and full of little wonders which Mihai, our guide showed and explained. To top it all we had perfect weather : snow on the ground and sunshine and blue sky! We also had a bonus cultural mini tour from Geta on our way back to the airport, fantastic! And we definitely didn’t go hungry!

  • Wonderful hosts and guide

    Rima N. March 2026
    Our guide Mihai was very knowledgeable and took everyone's different levels into consideration when organizing the hike/snowshoeing. The park is gorgeous and the caves very interesting. It really is a beautiful area. The guesthouse was rudimentary but had everything we needed with hot water and temperature control and our hosts were extremely generous with the wonderful food they made, all locally sourced. Very cute local dogs accompanied us on the hikes to make sure we were fine. It was a great experience and we may come back and visit in spring

  • Adventure in a weekend !

    Claire B. March 2026
    Amazing weekend in the Apuseni Mountains ! Sunshine, snow and a great group of people ranging from 24 to 67! Our Guide Mikai was excellent! So knowledgeable about the area and took great care to ensure that everyone had an amazing time ! The group quickly formed a great dynamic resulting in a trip to remember. Our guesthouse was warm and cosy and we were treated as family by our hosts . The traditional mountain food was tasty and abundant ; grown and prepared in the farmhouse kitchen all washed down with the local spirits ! We couldn’t have wished for better snowshoeing conditions and Mikai ensured that we spent as much time on the mountains as possible . . we snowshoed across virgin snow high above the village seeing no one else for whole of the first day ! . . An experience to remember

  • Perfect escape

    Edmund G. February 2026
    I did not want to come home. The mountains were beautiful, the beds were comfortable, and the food was plentiful and delicious. The hiking was a good balance of slightly challenging and easy. The views of the mountains and formations in the caves were stunning. It was a really fun group and we were very well looked after by Joanna and her husband. Our guide Mihai was a font of knowledge about the nature around us. He was also a great laugh which is a bonus.

  • Hike Romania's Carpathian Mountains

    Johan F. February 2026
    Well organized and the guide and team were very down to earth, sociable and professional, yet personal and creative. However, I would have liked longer hikes and more emphasis on the nature and surroundings.

  • Fantastic weekend with amazing people

    Charlotte R. February 2026
    Had a wonderful time on this trip which me and my partner booked quite last minute. Our guide Mihai was incredible as were our host family in the mountains. The scenery was absolutely incredible and it was a great introduction to snowshoeing. I think however the itinerary on the website is not accurate. On day 2 we did the day 3 itinerary (and it seems this is the norm) and the morning hike on day 4 is more like 1hr than 2-3. HOWEVER it was a fantastic trip and this didn’t have any effect on the incredible time we had.

  • Excellent adventure

    Dan H. February 2026
    A realy quaint well organised experience. Rustic, homemade and authentic food in large quantities were served daily. We had the most Awsome guide who looked after us and cared for us throughout the trip. Excellent hiking in the beautiful mountains. I have no complaints. I really recommend spending a day or two before the hiking in Cluj as it is a undiscovered pearl

  • Great trip, great people, great food

    Timothy H. February 2026
    Really enjoyed this trip, quality way to experience the Carpathian mountains I want to highlight the food on this trip. The food at the guesthouse and lunches were awesome. All of it was homemade with local ingredients and I was looking forward to the next meal every time. The doughnuts being a particular highlight Logistics and planning from the guides was excellent as well All in all a top notch weekend

  • Awesome winter trekking

    Raymond H. February 2026
    If you want a fabulous winter snow trekking and caving experience run by people who care this is for you. Everything is provided for your comfort and enjoyment. From the moment you are collected at the airport you are well and truly looked after by warm and welcoming local hosts who provide an authentic Romanian experience. You are truly remote and privileged to see some of the less visited areas and large caves. Food and accommodation could not be any better and you will enjoy the tasty local menu. Mihai your guide has a wealth of knowledge and experience and he is a very charming and warm human being who cares about nature and the local environment. I highly recommend this trip

  • Outstanding guiding, excpetional hospitality and beautiful scenery!

    Agota S. February 2026
    What an amazing mini winter holiday! A lovely remote location where you truly feel detached from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. We were blessed with lots of snow and plenty of sunshine, absolutely perfect weather conditions for our snowshoeing activities. The snow-covered mountain landscape was breathtaking, and the two caves were fascinating to explore as well. Our guesthouse hosts were wonderful, and the food was simply fantastic: super tasty homemade traditional meals, generous portions, and incredible variety. Every meal over the four days was different, which really impressed me - and a special shout-out to the doughnuts! 😊 As for our guide, Mihai - what can I say? You couldn’t ask for more. He is extremely knowledgeable and passionate about the Carpathian Mountains, but above all, he is the most welcoming, warm, attentive, and helpful guide I’ve ever come across. He listens carefully to everyone’s needs and makes sensible, thoughtful adjustments for group members when needed. The group had a lovely time chatting with him and with each other during meals. I had an absolutely fantastic time and truly hope to return to this wonderful corner of the world, Transylvania!

  • The snowy monutians

    Beaumont T. January 2026
    What an amazing trip. Think we got lucky with the snow as the two days we walk we were breaking fresh snow. First day we walked up through a valley visiting a cave and enjoying a picnic in the snow and day two we hike up the hills and across some stunning plateaus. Mike the guide was a ledgend with so much passion . The house was lovely and the food constant. I would recommend the trip to any one who loves snow and hiking and would definitely snowshoe again

  • Great people, incredible views & so peaceful

    Genevieve R. January 2026
    Had the most incredible mini getaway! There were so many highlights and no down lights at all. The caves were fun to explore and the longer snowshoe hike was amazing. I can’t remember another hike I’ve done where we were the only people we saw for the whole day. Michal was an amazing guide, incredible patient and happy to answer any and all questions asked :)

  • A perfect escape from the digital world

    Nicola O. December 2025
    Romania is a country I have never visited and so I was keen to understand and explore both the natural landscape and the cultural and historical aspects. It turns out that this trip offered everything and more. The guest house is nestled in the most picturesque valley, extremely peaceful and tranquil, and the guest house itself is very comfortable. Ioana went above and beyond to make sure that we wanted for nothing, especially given my dietary requirements. The food was delicious and wholesome and there was plenty of it. Our guide Mihai was exceptional; he was able to adjust the itinerary as a result of unusual weather conditions such that we were able to still experience the Romanian wintery landscape. He is highly knowledgeable; on the first day he was able to describe the cave systems, their geology and their history of discovery. The second day, which involved a summit climb, he shared his knowledge of local fauna and flora, as well as his (and my!) love of all things philosophy. I fell in love with Romania, a place that has had a tumultuous history, but with a rich story to tell both in the city and out their on the mountains. Thank you MBA, Mihai, Ioana and the Carpathians. I will be back ❤️

  • Fantastic Trip

    Helena F. June 2025
    We had a fantastic trip! This was our first time joining a group trip and our first time using much better adventures. Everything ran smoothly and Milia was an excellent guide. We were very fortunate to have a mix of weather, including a snowy day and clear skies. We were made to feel very welcome and everyone else on the trip was very nice. I would definitely consider going on another much better adventures trip again.

  • Great long weekend in the mountains

    Caroline M. February 2025
    A wonderful trip with a great group of people. We were lucky to have sun and blue skies, so even with lows of -10 it didn't feel that cold in the snow. Everything was really well organised, from the transfers to and from the mountains through to the hikes. Mihal was a very friendly, knowledgeable guide and was adaptable to the needs of the group. Food was great and vegetarians well catered for. I enjoyed the picnic lunches, washed down with blueberry liqueur! The accommodation is a little basic but the warmth of the hosts made up for that.

  • Wonderful Experience

    Felicity E. February 2025
    Wonderful experience with excellent organisation! It is such a luxury to go on a holiday where everything is taken care of from airport transfers to food and activities. Perfect retreat. The was less snow than ideal but the gorgeous sunny weather was a blessing. The only negative was that we felt a little hard done by with 3 of us in the smallest room with next to no space to open suitcases, a minor inconvenience, and that the shower head clip on the wall was broken allowing only for a handheld wash down which could be cold if you didn't get in the shower first! Both very trivial grievances in a thoroughly enjoyable and welcome retreat in the mountains. Our stop in the salt mine was also excellent and our guides knowledge of the place really wonderful! Thank you for that extra bonus!

  • All round, a really great

    JIll G. February 2025
    All round, a really great short break. A beautiful and fascinating place and a fun filled and interesting itinerary. The enjoyment was helped by the really friendly group with great camaraderie

  • A truly memorable trip with amazing views and great company

    Ian R. January 2025
    I had the most amazing four days with the MBA Team, and five fellow travellers, in the Casa de Piatra region of the Carpathian Mts. Our walking guide was Mihai who was excellent – full of knowledge about the area, about Romania, about the landscape and the walks. Our coordinating guide, Paul, did the airport collections and ensured the whole trip ran smoothly. Arrangements, organisation and planning were all impeccable – everything had been thought of and went to plan. The drive from the airport to the guest house was nicely broken with a lunch stop in a community run café, giving a good opportunity to meet your fellow travellers. The aera of the walking and caving is breathtaking and magical. The guest house was brilliant – clean, warm, comfortable and largely self-sufficient - and the host who owns the guest house could not have been more friendly and helpful. The food was delicious, with much made from homegrown ingredients – including own milk, cheese, meat, homemade blueberry tea and very welcoming homemade blueberry liqueur. The host caters well for vegetarians (there were three veggies in our group). The walking and snowshoeing was a great experience – Mihai explained how the snow shoes and crampons all worked and ensured everyone was comfortable with them. The walking pace was good for the whole group – with some strenuous parts but generally all set at a good level and giving a good sense of achievement at the end of the day. The local dogs also made great company and enjoyed tagging along with us on both days of walking. The caves were an unforgettable experience. Picnic type lunches at picnic benches were very civilised – with blueberry liqueur brought along too! My fellow travellers (six of us in total) were great company the whole time and all solo (apart from 2 friends) and all in their early 30’s (I was the old guy). This was my first MBA trip - I will definitely use MBA again and I highly recommend their trips.

  • Great weekend break

    Ben O. January 2025
    Great trip to go somewhere different over a long weekend and have a new experience. Mihai was an excellent guide and the host family were great.

  • Cannot recommend enough! Amazing scenery,

    Kathleen T. December 2024
    Cannot recommend enough! Amazing scenery, quiet mountain escape, home cooked food and knowledgeable guide.

  • Winter wonderland

    miss p. December 2024
    This trip was very well planned. Our guide Mihai was very knowledgeable. His love and enthusiasm for the mountains was evident. Nothing was too much for Mihai. The scenery was stunning and it was lovely to feel like we were in the middle of nowhere. I had never snow shoed before, so so much fun!! We were super lucky and got a good dump of snow for the Saturday. The accommodation was warm, cosy and comfortable. Dorika and Ioanna were lovely and the food portions were excellent (and delicious, you won't go hungry). Thank you Ioanna for the birthday cake :) Getta who met us at the airport and took us back was warm and welcoming and has great knowledge of Cluj's history. Thank you all!

  • Brilliant snowy adventure

    Lucy K. December 2024
    Fantastic trip. Mihai our guide was so knowledgeable on the area and obviously very passionate about sharing it with people. The weather worked in our favour so we had decent snow for the first day to learn the ropes and do the easier hike. This set us up well for the second day which was a longer hike up into a valley outside of the villages, through snow covered meadows and forests. The caves on both days were very interesting to visit and completely different to each other. The guest house we stayed in was wonderful and the hosts were super accommodating and couldn't do enough for us. The food and the polinka were delicious. Geta drove us to and from the airport and even threw in a tour of Cluj for us to kill time before our flight which was fantastic and very informative. Would very much recommend this trip if you enjoy snow and only have a few days holiday to spare. It was everything I hoped it would be.

  • Exceptionally great experience!

    Noor S. December 2024
    Our snowshoe hiking trip in Romania was truly exceptional. The breathtaking views and exhilarating hikes were particularly exciting, especially for first-time snowshoe users. We were charmed by the quaint village and our host's warm hospitality. The food was delicious, and our guide, Paul, was outstanding - helpful, knowledgeable, and attentive to our needs. His expertise greatly enhanced our experience. The entire trip was so enjoyable that we're already looking forward to potentially returning in the future.

  • Had the time of my

    James M. December 2024
    Had the time of my life. Mihai is a brilliant guide that will make the experience memorable. It is a must do activity that everyone should experience.

  • Nice, healthy mini break

    Ellen H. March 2024
    Really enjoyed this short getaway to a country I know very little about. It was a unique way to meet real people and learn about Romania. Mihai was great fun to be with and his enthusiasm for hiking was contagious. Really nice group as well. We laughed a lot, had mountains of food cooked for us and caught the last bit of the winters snow. It’s a long drive from the airport to the mountains but besides that, a great experience.

  • A great trip to switch off and reset!

    Angharad O. March 2024
    I've just returned from a much-needed break in the beautiful Romanian wilderness to recover from an incredibly stressful few months – teetering on the edge of burnout. This was my fourth MBA trip, and I am forever for the opportunity to meet new people. Our guide, Mihai, shared his passion and knowledge of the area, teaching us how to identify animal tracks in the snow and sharing local history. My companions' advice, stories, and jokes will stay with me for a long time. The group makes or breaks a trip, and I could not have wished for a better group of people to share these experiences with. The food is delicious – seamlessly catering to my dietary requirements without making me feel like an awkward weirdo. The blueberry liquor is plentiful and delicious, and a welcome lunchtime warmer. The views are breathtaking, and the hikes are just the right balance of challenging and manageable, leaving us feel satisfied and happy-tired at the end of a long day out and about. And the family cat even graced us with his presence! I am terrified of small, dark spaces, so going caving was up there as one of my worst nightmares. Although a relatively insignificant thing, pushing myself to be uncomfortable, surrounded by a supportive group, proved when we do hard things, we are rewarded with unbelievable beauty - a nice metaphor for life! I highly recommend this trip if you need to switch off and/or are keen to learn about a new culture.

Before You Travel

What to Pack

Backpack with hiking gear laid out

Know before you go! Some stuff we'll provide, other things you'll need to bring.

Kit List

What's included?
  • Snowshoes
  • Hiking poles
What do I need to bring?
Bags
  • 20 to 35 litre: you should be able to carry your hiking gear comfortably so a bag with a waist strap is suggested
  • Dry bag to keep things dry in the backpack
Clothing
  • Sun cap/warm hat/headband
  • Gloves
  • One pair of synthetic underwear (top and bottom)
  • One functional shirt for the hike (we recommend merino or synthetic)
  • One or two layers of socks (merino or synthetic)
  • One fleece or merino pullover/sweater
  • Rain/windproof (Gore-Tex) jacket with hood
  • Rain/windproof (Gore-Tex) trousers (we recommend either a combination of a thermal layer and a waterproof hard shell trouser, or insulated waterproof skiing pants)
  • Comfortable, 3-season, waterproof hiking boots (above ankle and not rigid boots)

FAQs

The local tap water is safe to drink. Please bring along your own reusable water bottles (at least 1.5L) to fill up to avoid buying single-use plastic bottles.

This trip includes locations or elevations where conditions can be extremely cold. Daytime temperatures may drop below freezing (0°C/32°F), and nights are often significantly colder. These conditions can affect physical performance and increase the risk of exposure-related issues, such as frostbite or hypothermia.

Your guide is trained to manage these risks, adapting activity intensity and monitoring group wellbeing. However, it's important to take personal responsibility – bringing the right cold-weather gear (see Kit List), staying hydrated and well-nourished, and recognising early signs of cold stress.

We recommend assessing your personal comfort and resilience in cold environments, and consulting a medical professional if you have health conditions that may be affected. Arriving early can also help you acclimatise to the colder conditions, especially if you're coming from a much warmer climate.

Sure can! Over 70% of our travellers travel solo, it’s a great way to meet like-minded people.

Our team of Adventure Hunters co-create exclusive adventures which are run by highly vetted, specialist hosts. The trip is run by our trusted host partner in the destination. We only work with independent, local, in-destination experts who know the very best places to explore and how to stay safe. Read more information about the local teams we partner with. You’ll be introduced to the host straight after making a booking via the Much Better Adventures platform.

Much Better Adventures refer to the UK Government’s official travel advice when designing trips and monitoring trip operations. We recommend that all customers are familiar with the practical information provided on the Government’s FCDO website, where current travel advice can be found by searching for the applicable destination(s).

For customers joining this trip from other international destinations – please also read the official travel advice applicable to your country of residence/origin, as this may differ.

We recommend checking out the country-specific information and also talking to a travel nurse.

We automatically convert prices from the local currency that a host receives to your chosen currency. We update our exchange rates on a daily basis so this does mean that prices displayed on the site are subject to currency fluctuations, which is why you may see them change over time.

If you wish to change the currency you pay in, head to the bottom of the page.

All of our group adventures are specially designed for adults to enjoy as we want these adventures to bring together outdoorsy people who are truly like-minded. You must be over 18 to join one of our trips.

You're always in good company on one of our adventures.

Our trips are typically made up of a mixture of solo travellers and small groups of 2 or 3 friends, with most in their 30s-50s.

Our sociable adventures are solo-friendly by design and naturally attract outdoorsy people with a shared mindset; a love for adventure, a desire to push themselves and meet awesome, like-minded people along the way.

It’s this camaraderie that has so often turned a great adventure into a life-changing one.

Don't just take our word for it:

  • 95% of people rate the group dynamics on our trips 5/5
  • 90% of people recommend joining a trip to make new friends
  • 75% of people have met people on our trips that they would now consider friends

See here for more info about the Much Better Adventures tribe.

Temperatures drop below zero during the night and down to zero during the daytime. It's usually colder in the mornings but warms up around noon.

We partner with the World Land Trust to ensure this trip achieves Net-Zero emissions. We also support their Buy an Acre programme, helping local communities to buy and protect natural habitats in perpetuity.

What's the number?
It works out on average at 118kg of CO2 emissions per person, including all local transport, accommodation, food, activities, guides, staff and office operations.

The only thing it doesn’t include right now is flights and travel to the destination. We do make an overall estimate across all our customers separately, but as we don’t book flights, have customers from all corners of the world, and no way of reliably knowing their travel plans, we simply can’t include an individual number in the figure on display here. We’ve got a goal to fix that, so that when you book, there is a way to measure and mitigate the carbon emitted by your flight too.

But what does the number mean?
Yep, hard to picture eh? To give you an idea:

  • Driving 1000 miles/1609km would be approximately 281kg of CO2 in an average car (or 140.5kg per person, if there were two of you in it).
  • A return economy class flight between London and New York would be approximately 1619kg (1.66 tonnes) per person.
  • 10 trees in a temperate forest are estimated to remove approximately 250kg of CO2 from the air in a period of 5-10 years.

What are we doing about it?
Our trips are relatively low-carbon by design, and we're working with all our hosts to develop long term carbon reduction plans. We partner with the World Land Trust to ensure this trip achieves Net-Zero emissions. We also support their Buy an Acre programme, helping local communities to buy and protect natural habitats in perpetuity, ensuring the protection of the reserve and its wildlife.

Want to know more?
Amazingly, no international travel company has ever publicly published their carbon measurements before, as far as we know. We believe that must change, quickly. So we’re openly sharing the method we used in the hope that other companies will be able to more easily follow suit and build on what we've done so far. You'll find it all here.

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