Carpathian Escapes

The Bistriței/Besztercei, Giurgeului/Gyergyói, Hășmașului/Hagymás and Călimani/Kelemen Mountains offer a large number of tourist routs for trekking enthusiast, with locations like Falcon Rocks and Comarnic in Corbu/Gyergyóholló, Vit-havas (1609 m) and Highes (1502 m) in Tulghes/Gyergyótölgyes, or shorter routes arround Creanga Pass. Tourists will have the chance to discover a less known mountain area. The routes have lengths between 6 and 12 km, programs can be adapted to individual needs. Place of the program: Harghita county Microregion: Gheorgheni Basin Price of the program: 50 RON/person   We invite you to experience the natural wonders of the Northern part of Harghita County. The More Than Explore team offers a wide range of outdoor activities, both during winter and summer time, perfect occasions for nature lovers regardless of experience levels. 

Both the phrase and the activity come from the Dolomites in Italy. Safe climbing requires technical equipment: harness, shock-absorbing bridle, helmet and gloves. In the Red Lake tourist destination there is only one such built-in iron climbing road, which bears the name of Wild Ferenc, and is built on the south-western side of the Suhardul Mic/Kis-Cohárd. Its total length is 200 meters and the level difference is 170 meters. Nearby there is another such ironed climbing path in the Munticelu/Munticseli nature reserve called Astragalus with a total length of 700 meters, divided into 5 climbing paths and the level difference of the main route is 285 meters. Participation requirements: minimum height 1.6 meters and minimum weight 40 kilograms (below 40 kilograms, the shock-absorbing bridle is not activated). In these programs we provide: seat belt, shock-absorbing bridle, safety helmet, guide (cave rescue specialist). The program can be held from April to November, depending on weather conditions.   Before each tour, participants complete a declaration of their own responsibility and we recommend accident insurance. Program location: Harghita county Destination: Bicaz Gorge-Hășmaș National Park Program price: • Wild Ferenc: 70 ron / person min. 5 people • Astragalus: 90 ron / person min. 5 people

The Salt Mountain and Salt Canyon Natural Reserve in Praid/Parajd are nationally protected geological nature conservation areas. The entrance is marked by large banners and signs and can be visited during the April-October period. The railing along the path leads all the way to the spring that is constantly building the sediment cone, and then to the lookout at the top of the hill. In the Salt Canyon, the visitor can see various salt formations on the surface, taste salt springs or try the traditional folk salty  We present this unique wonder through 7 demonstration points (there are 3 more similar Salt Canyons in Europe).   Important information: Opening hours: 10.00 to 18.00 in summer, from April to November Ticket price: 15/8 lei How to get there: by car, by bus Parking: free Accessible for the disabled: difficult Equipment: drinking water, camera. In good weather: slippers, swimsuit for the mud spa. In rainy weather: hiking boots, raincoat. Program location: Harghita county, Praid/Parajd Destination: Salt Region Program price: • 160+150=310 RON / group for 20 people • 240+150=390 RON / group for 30 people • 320+150=470 RON / group for 40 people Prices include tickets: 8 RON / person and guided tours 150 RON / group Individually, without a guide, the prices are: adults 15 RON / person, children up to 14 year and pensioners: 8 RON / person, group entrance (over 20 people): 8 RON / person.

Route: Ghimes/Gyimes Pass (Fügés Peak) – Coșnea/Kostelek   Program description: We hike to Coșnea/Kostelek in wonderful landscapes. Departure from the Fügés Peak and arrival in Coșnea/Kostelek, where we will be guests of Vaszi Levente (Hungarian talent show, audience prize). Here we get a taste of their lives, traditions and dances, and we also get something to bite in the end. This program is more recommended for groups. Program location: Harghita and Bacău counties Destination: Ghimes/Gyimes Valley Program price: 50 RON / person if 25 people apply, 45 RON / person if more than 25 people apply

The route of the program: Nyergestető Historical Café - Sântimbru-Băi/Csíkszentimri Büdösfürdő (stinky bath) - Black Desert - Kormos Creek - Szeltersz - Wolf Trail - Meresti/Almási Cave - Erdőfüle - Kormos Creek – Caşin/Nyerges Pass (Nyerges-tető)   Description: Our tour begins with an extraordinary history lesson in Nyergestető Historical Cafe, introducing the memorial site of the Szekler heroes who died in the Battle of Nyerges-tető. Our journey takes us through the southern course of Harghita Mountains, stopping at the most important points, explaining their characteristics. We are heading towards Erdőfüle, touching the smoky bath of Szentimrei, the Black Desert, the Kormos creek and Szelters. The Vargyas Gorge approached from Almas on the road called Wolf, where we will have lunch. This followed by a walk of about 1.5 kilometres along the mountain path that leads to the mouth of the Almási Cave. After the cave adventures, we go back to our off-road vehicles and head home, heading from Vargyas towards the Csík Basin through the valley of the Kormos creek. Place of the program: Harghita and Covasna counties Tourism destination: Varghis Pass (Meresti Cave) Price of the program: min. 3 – max 50 person, 220 RON/person

Program path: Piatra Niergeș - Ridge of the Ciuc/Csíki Mountains - Úz Valley - Aklos Military Cemetery - Aklos War Ground - Tulgheș/Tölgyes Strait - Arch of Duke Joseph - King Matthias Fortress - Kászoni Basin - return home   Program: • At 8:30 we will meet at the historical café at Piatra Niergeș (Nyergestető) • At 9:00 am a local history presentation, (an unusual history lesson at the site of the Battle of Piatra Niergeș and in the cemetery of the heroes who fell here). After paying our respects in front of the Szekler heroes who fell on the Saddle, we take our place in the off-road vehicles and embark on the 12o km in front of us, which consists mostly of mountain, forest and military roads. • 10:00 Departure on the ridge of the Ciuc/Csíki Mountains. We stop on the ridge of the Ciuc/Csíki Mountains and hold a geographical and hiking tour. • Moving towards the Úz Valley War Ground, we set off for two small mountain settlements, gaining insight into the Csinódi Csángó farm world and the everyday lives of the people living here isolated from the world. • We relax nicely, ten o'clock. It will be possible to refresh (beer, wine, soft drinks, everyone from the local shop at their own discretion). • After that, we turn to the Úz Valley War Route. Lunch militarily on the banks of the river Úz (bacon, sausages, etc.) after a short rest. • Úz valley battlefield: Hungarian barracks built in the 1940s, one of the largest war cemeteries in Transylvania during the First and Second World Wars (commemoration, wreath-laying). After visiting the Military Chapel, introducing the Úz border crossing of historical Hungary. • On the way back we cross the Depresiunea Plăieși and we reach the Piatra Niergeș among the Depresiunea Plăieși. Piatra Niergeș - Úz Valley Historical Memorial Tour Length back there is more than 120 km on forest and military roads. The duration of the tour may vary depending on the weather. During our tour, they are constantly provided with on-site information and historical information. Place of the program: Harghita county Tourism destination: Ciuc/Csíki Moutains, Ghimeș/Gyimes Price of the program: min. 3 – max 50 person, 300 RON/day/person * Prices may vary as the price of fuel changes

Meeting with the guide on site (by prior arrangement).   Program description: Canyoning is a relatively “young” activity, dating back to the 1970s, but thanks to its dynamic development, it became very popular by the mid-1980s. The technical solutions combine the equipment and techniques used in mountaineering and caving. Basically, it means descending in a gorge valley with rope. Approach the canyon from above, our direction of travel is only possible downwards and leave it at the bottom. On these tours we provide the individual and collective equipment for canyoning and the snack. Here, the tour guide is also a canyoning tour guide who is a cave lifeguard and he is responsible for the safety of the members.  The Sec/Száraz Creek (meaning: dry) separates the Hășmașul Negru/Fekete-Hagymás and the Telecul Mare Mountains. It is located entirely in the Bicaz Groge-Hășmaș National Park. The approach tour is 1.5-2 hours. The terrain is very steep, but beautiful. The canyoning tour is 4-7 hours. In this canyon, the number of smaller to larger waterfalls exceeds 15. Beautiful and very spectacular tour. The exit from the canyon back to the car is 30-45 minutes. We recommend this tour only to people who are in good physical condition. It is important for participants to be able to swim. This canyon can really be enjoyed in the spring during the snowmelt period, though the water is very cold at this time.   Important information: Before each tour, the guest fills out a declaration of their own responsibility and we also recommend accident insurance, even though we have never had an accident before (and we want to preserve this tradition). Program location: Harghita and Neamt counties Destination: Bicaz Groge-Hășmaș National Park Program price: min. 4, max. 250 RON / person for 6 people

Meeting with the guide on site (by prior arrangement).   Program description: Canyoning is a relatively “young” activity, dating back to the 1970s, but thanks to its dynamic development, it became very popular by the mid-1980s. The technical solutions combine the equipment and techniques used in mountaineering and caving. Basically, it means descending in a gorge valley with rope. Approach the canyon from above, our direction of travel is only possible downwards and leave it at the bottom. On these tours we provide the individual and collective equipment for canyoning and the snack. Here, the tour guide is also a canyoning tour guide who is a cave lifeguard and he is responsible for the safety of the members. Alb/Fehér Creek (meaning: white) is one of the important side streams of Cheile Bicăjel/Kis-Békás, so the tour starts from the Bicaz Gorge. Approaching the place takes maximum 30 minutes, the series of waterfalls is 2-3 hours long, and after that there will be a little canyon walk in the lower section of the Bicăjel/Kis-Békás Creek. Anyone can sign up for the tour.   Important information: Before each tour, the guest fills out a declaration of their own responsibility and we also recommend accident insurance, even though we have never had an accident before (and we want to preserve this tradition). Program location: Harghita and Neamt counties Destination: Cheile Bicazului-Hășmaș National Park Program price: min. 4, max. 150 RON / person for 6 people

Meeting with the guide on site (by prior arrangement).   Program description: Canyoning basically means walking through rock gorges, with proper protective clothing: neoprene clothing and socks (this keeps the body warm), any shoe can be used which is so good quality that after soaking it does not fall apart, and a helmet. Anyone can take part in these tours (it doesn’t matter if you can't swim). We provide the tour guide (who is a canyoning tour guide and cave rescuer), individual equipment (neoprene clothing, socks, helmet), team equipment (dry backpack to keep clothes and small things e.g. cameras, phones, car keys dry, ropes and carabiners). Footwear is not provided, everyone should bring it.  The Bicăjel/Kis-Békás Creek (means little frog) separates the Piatra Poienii/Máriakő and Surduc/Szurdokkő. It can be reached in half an hour in a beautiful terrain. The walk through the gorge takes 3-4 hours and the return trip takes place on the Bicaz/Békás Gorge, so the tour includes a visit to it too. This is a very nice canyon tour with many deep stone cauldrons in which you can jump. Along the way, we also touch the huge waterfall of the Fehér (white) Creek. Good physical fitness comes in handy on this tour as it is long enough, but after all you can get out of the creek anytime if you get tired.   Useful information: You can only apply for our canyon tours from spring to late autumn, the warmest summer days are most ideal as the mountain streams in our area are all very cold without exception. We provide a one-time hearty, varied snack.  Before each tour, the guest fills out a declaration of their own responsibility and we also recommend accident insurance, even though we have never had an accident before (and we want to preserve this tradition). Program location: Harghita and Neamt counties Destination: Bicaz Gorge-Hășmaș National Park Program price: min. 5, max. 100 RON / person for 8 people