Vienna → Brasov → Iron Gates, 8 Days

The first day takes you from Vienna across the Hungarian Puszta and past Budapest to Oradea. After around 500 kilometres you check into one of Europe's finest Art Nouveau centres and enjoy a welcome dinner together.

On the first riding day you cross the Western Carpathians with their spectacular rock formations, caves and gorges. A freshly paved pass leads you by evening to the heritage-protected village of Rimetea, where cold beer and Transylvanian specialities await.

This stage follows the Fortified Church Road through vineyards and centuries-old villages into the Kockel Valley. By evening you reach Brasov, one of Romania's most beautiful cities, with dinner and a hotel stay in the city centre.

The day begins with time to explore Brasov, including its Black Church, over 800 years old. Passing Bran, the route climbs into the Bucegi Mountains on a once-rustic, now paved shepherd's road to Curtea de Arges.

Today the Transfagarasan highway awaits, once named the world's most beautiful road by the British show Top Gear. On the far side of the Carpathians, Sibiu awaits with a guided old-town walk and regional specialities at dinner.

The Transalpina pass road climbs Romania's highest road at roughly 2,300 metres, fully paved only since 2012. By afternoon you reach the Iron Gates on the Danube, where a boat excursion through the river's narrowest stretch and a dinner of fish specialities await.

In the morning you cross the Danube gorge into the Carpathians, at times running right along the Serbian border. By afternoon you reach Timisoara, European Capital of Culture 2023, and explore it on a guided walk.

After breakfast the route ends with the ride home to Vienna, alone or together with fellow riders. With plenty of impressions from Romania, eight days through the Southern Carpathians come to a close.