Carpathian Escapes

Red Lake, Bicaz Gorge, Harghita (English) (C/D) The “Wild Ferenc” via ferrata route was opened in autumn 2016, in Suhardul Mic mountain (1345m), near Red Lake, in Bicaz Gorge, Harghita county. It is named after a well known local climber, the author of the only topo map of Bicaz Gorge.  The route was built by the Dancurás Mountain Rescue Team from Gheorgheni, Harghita county. • Free access  • Length 200m (1 route)  • Vertical climb 173m  • Difficulty C/D  • GPS access / Parking: 46°47’41.8″N 25°47’52.4″E or 46.794944,25.797889.  • GPS Start Via Ferrata: 46°47’54.3″N 25°47’36.4″E or 46.798428,25.793445.  • Access hiking duration: 20 min  • Via ferrata duration: 50 min+  • Return hiking duration: 30 min  • Total time: 2 hours+  • Minimum 14 years old Photo: Keresztes Emil, Tatár Attila

Zsigmond Malom Inn is located in Mădăraş Ciuc village, at the foot of Harghita mountains, on an island formed by Olt and Madicsa rivers. The property has three hectares and provides an ideal place for our guests to rest and enjoy the beauties of nature, in every season of the year. The three upgraded peasant houses can accommodate 22 people in 11 double rooms with bathroom and traditional painted furniture. The guests could use a fully equipped kitchen, a living room and a dining room. There is a secure parking on the property, in the fenced yard.

Turbulencia Aeroclub is a sports club in Miercurea Ciuc, founded by mountain and flight enthusiasts. Club members use non-motorized and motorized devices. The main field of activity is paragliding and mountain hiking. The club has 43 active members, 2 examiner instructors, 1 tandem pilot. The club organizes paragliding courses, paragliding and deltaplan festivals and competitions, demonstration flights with passengers (paragliding flight) in Miercurea Ciuc. The club's instructors have over 17 years of experience gained at national and international competitions. The record of the competition's riders in the club is impressive, with more than 100 seats on the prize-winning podium.

In our guesthouse we have a horse-riding center, our own horseshoes, with horse drawn sleds, which are available to our guests at any time of the year. For those who are eager to ride, we can provide qualified coaches and the opportunity to participate in horseback rides trainings, or in organized horse riding trips. In addition to horse riding, at the prior request of guests, we can also provide hikers for walking or cycling tours, as well as information for those who want to get acquainted with our miraculous surroundings in a field car.

The Equestrian Center in Cotormani specializes primarily in training recreational horses, young horses and foals, as well as horses in the hostel. Equestrian School "Kavalliera" offers complete services for children from about 2 years old to champions. In equestrian camps regularly organized by the Kavalliera Club, children have unforgettable experiences, as there are various competitions, equestrian activities and equestrian activities, and enriching their abilities. Horses communication and non-violent approach are an integral part of the equestrian club's life.

❗ Horseback riding tours must be booked in advance! We recommend that you book 3 to 4 days before your scheduled time. The Equestrian Center Ivo Riding Ranch was founded in 2008 as a small family business in the Izvoare Valley, Zetea Village in Harghita.  The Ranch has the only stud farm of Icelandic horses in Romania. The Icelandic horse has a very balanced temperament and is extremely easy to raise. Moreover, it is very friendly, docile and easy to handle. Both children and adults could ride it.  The Icelandic horse is ideal for riding trips. The rider could easily ride a distance of 40-50 km. Whether you are a beginner in horse riding, you are fond of long riding trips in the wilderness, or you wish to spend a relaxing but active holiday with your family or friends, we have the expertise to bring you an exceptional equestrian adventure. Browse through our enticing trips and offers and contact our well informed ride consultants for advice. Join us on one of our trips, and discover the beauty of Transylvania's intact nature on horseback! Horse riding tour: • Difficulty: beginner, advanced • Accomodation: guesthouse • Horses type/ breed: icelandic horse • Equipment: icelandic • Period of time: 6 days, needs of clients • Number of participants: 1-12 General infotmation Please do not hesitate to contact us for special requests, questions regarding horse riding, buying icelandic horses, your stay in Izvoare (Ivo) Hatghita county, and more. We are happy to help you. We can organize one day of half day tours and multiple day tours. Note that all of our services require prior reservation. For safety reasons the maximum weight of each participant is max 100 kg. The routes will be chosen depending on the riding experience of the participants and the weather conditions. Thank you for understanding!  We are very pleased to welcome you to Ivo!

❗ Horseback riding tours must be booked in advance! We recommend that you book 3 to 4 days before your scheduled time. Equestrian tours at the Endorphin Sport Office in Gheorgheni are for those who want an active holiday. Romfeld László, the head of the office, is a guide for equestrian tourism and leads many mountain trips in different regions of Transylvania. The trips organized in the office start from Gheorgheni and reach places such as: The Lonely Rock (Piatra Singuratică) from Hăşmaşu Mare, Red Lake, Şugău Cave, Lázár Castle, etc. According to Romfeld László, one-day tours range from approx. 40 km of riding and lasts for at least 7 hours. For those who want something more, Romfeld László recommends so-called "outlaws trips", where accommodation is made in tents or sleeping bags under tarpaulins, in the so-called bivouacs. From May until mid-November, horses are kept outdoors, this being the best time for mountain laps, says Romfeld László. Weekend tours contain a ride on the ground (2 to 3 hours) and two daily trips (4-5 hours), and one-week trips consist of day trips (5 to 6 days). Horse riding tour: • Difficulty: advanced • Accomodation: guesthouse, tent • Horses type/ breed: warmblood • Equipment: english • Period of time: a few hours- days, needs of clients • Number of participants: 1-6

The Csicser farm began organizing equestrian activities about three years ago. It has twenty horses, of which ten are suitable for daily riding lessons. The horses are of the Lipizzaner, Pinto and Arab breeds, joined by four Shetland ponies and three donkeys. The farm offers equestrian activities throughout the year. Riding lessons for beginners are held in the open manege of the farm. Apart from riding, children have duty tasks and they learn how to take care of the horses. They also learn how to harness the horse, feeding and watering techniques, cleaning the barn, etc. Those who are already in command of the mane have the opportunity to ride on horseback. Riding lessons can be followed throughout the year, and the recommended age for starting riding is six years. Every summer Csicser Farm organizes horse riding camps for children. The five-day camps offer a wide range of activities for young participants.

❗ Horseback riding tours must be booked in advance! We recommend that you book 3 to 4 days before your scheduled time. Sopárkút Guesthouse is situated in a beautiful clearing, 14 km from Odorheiu Secuiesc and 31 km from Miercurea Ciuc, in Homorod Băi, on the Cekend Plateau. In this idyllic atmosphere we are welcomed by Szőcs Elek, the host of the guesthouse and of the horse riding center. The horses of the Furioso and Lipitans are kept on the pasture 365 days of the year. According to Szőcs Elek, in winter they prefer the food under the snow to dried fodder. Horses habitually used with mountain life are very dynamic and excellent for hiking trips. From here we can easily travel to the romantic landscapes of the Harghita mountains. Horse riding tour: • Difficulty: beginner, advanceed • Accomodation: guesthouse, barn • Horses type/ breed: warmblood • Equipment: Bock saddle • Period of time: 1 day- few days, nedds of clients • Number of participants: 2-7