Our Carpathian Mountains holidays & tours
Romania has the brown bear’s share of the Carpathian Mountains, the long chain of peaks that crescent from the centre to the south east of Europe. The range is known for its karst slopes and deep valleys, meadows and forests – fantastic for hikers seeking wildflowers and waterfalls. Our Carpathian Mountains holidays don’t just give you great views, but do good too. Responsible tourism provides a great alternative income in rural areas where farming has been abandoned. As wolf and lynx return to the region, your holiday demonstrates that there is value in these areas when they are kept wild. So, come with us wolf tracking, trekking the Transylvanian Alps, and meeting bears – in a sanctuary where your visit helps keep them safe.
Our top Carpathian Mountains holidays
Carpathian Mountains holiday, conservation & culture
From
£1129 to £1349
8 days
ex flights
Wolves, bears and sightseeing
Small group2026: 25 Apr, 9 May, 30 May, 4 Jul, 18 Jul, 15 Aug, 29 Aug, 5 Sep, 19 Sep, 26 Sep, 3 Oct, 10 Oct, 2027: 24 Apr, 8 May, 29 May, 12 Jun, 3 Jul, 17 Jul, 14 Aug, 28 Aug, 4 Sep, 18 Sep, 25 Sep, 2 Oct
Transylvania holiday accommodation
From
€115 to €245
per person per night
Stay at a Count's guesthouse
Accommodation
Horse riding holiday in Romania
From
€1305 to €2185
7 days
ex flights
An eco horse riding facility in Transylvania
Tailor made
Transylvania walking and nature holiday in Romania
From
€1330 to €1365
7 days
ex flights
A scenic nature tour of Transylvania
Tailor made
Transylvanian Alps trekking holiday in Romania
From
€1399 to €1699
8 days
ex flights
Exploring the spectacular Transylvanian Carpathian mountains
Tailor made
Transylvania winter holiday accommodation
From
€115 to €185
per accommodation per night (sleeps 2)
B&B in Transylvania
Accommodation
Transylvania wildlife holiday, lynx watching and tracking
From
£950 to £1550
6 days
ex flights
Lynx watching and tracking in the land of Dracula
Tailor made
Wolf tracking and watching holiday in Transylvania
From
£950 to £1550
6 days
ex flights
Wolf watching and trekking in Transylvania (mid Jan-Feb)
Tailor made
Romania adventure holiday
From
£3075
14 days
ex flights
An amazing tour exploring medieval Europe and Transylvania
Small group2026: 9 May, 19 Sep, 2027: 8 May, 18 Sep
See all our Carpathian Mountains holidaysContact Us
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Carpathian Mountains highlights
As the Carpathians are Europe’s second longest range of mountains the chances are you’re not going to get over them all in the course of one visit. Best thing to do is explore one section at a time with the soaring peaks of the High Tatras in Slovakia or the deep pine forests of Transylvania, presenting a couple of options depending on your preference. Although cities such as Brasov or Zarnesti in central Romania or Bratislava in southwest Slovakia do offer access to the Carpathians, you’re far better off staying in a guesthouse within a remote hamlet to ensure you maximize your time in the mountains.
1.
Bear watching
2. Brasov
3. Bucegi mountains
4. Piatra Craiului National Park
5. Retezat National Park
6. Slovak Paradise National Park
2. Brasov
3. Bucegi mountains
4. Piatra Craiului National Park
5. Retezat National Park
6. Slovak Paradise National Park
Bear watching
1. Bear watching
The privilege of seeing just one of over 6,000 wild brown bears will be a highlight of any trip to the Carpathians. Hides allow small groups to observe cubs up close with rescue centres, such as the Libearty Bear Sanctuary, offering further insight. Snow covered forests are perfect for skilled trackers and following on snowshoes helps you explore essential habitats with the minimum of interference.
Brasov
2. Brasov
A great base in the Southern Carpathians for trekking trips or wildlife watching tours is the medieval city of Brasov. Thanks to the central location it's relatively easy to access all areas with the mountain resort of Poiana Brasov offering numerous winter sports and a nearby lake presenting excellent bird watching opportunities on the Danube Delta.
Bucegi mountains
3. Bucegi mountains
Hikers heading south of the city of Braşov, in central Romania, will be treated to some of the Carpathians’ most exceptional high alpine trails, all of which can be accessed via a cable car up the Bucegi Mountains. The scenery at over 2,000m is unlike anything else and hikers will often find themselves walking over flower-filled meadows against a backdrop of snow-covered peaks, even in July.
Piatra Craiului National Park
4. Piatra Craiului National Park
One of the most stunning ridge walks to tackle in the Carpathians can be found within Piatra Craiului National Park and takes a couple of days hiking from north to south. Although the trail is considered somewhat precarious in places it’s easily accessible from the town of Zarnesti and supports an array of endemic species amongst numerous deep gorges and rugged karst landmarks.
Retezat National Park
5. Retezat National Park
With glacial lakes mirroring monumental mountain peaks, Retezat National Park is considered one of the Carpathians’ most naturally beautiful regions. Wolves, wildcats, chamois and red deer are all known to inhabit the protected primeval forests with several local communities still living traditional agricultural lifestyles surrounded by steep terraced valleys filled with birds and butterflies.
Slovak Paradise National Park
6. Slovak Paradise National Park
Boasting over 300km of walking trails, many of which include ladders and footbridges, Slovak Paradise National Park is one of the best loved regions of the Western Carpathians and definitely justifies the name. A succession of caves and waterfalls help to create an intensely fantastical experience with Slovakia’s highest concentration of butterflies just a wing’s tip when it comes to wildlife.
Our Carpathian Mountains holidays reviews
4.7
63Carpathian Mountains holidays reviews
Elizabeth Smith29 Jun 2025
This was one of the best holidays I have ever had, which is very high praise. I
booked at the last minute and all the communications and organisation were
superb. Nothing was too much troubleread more
Sarah Barnes22 Jun 2025
Very good its a great balance of hiking and other activities, like the bear hide a day in Brasov. The hikes with the beautiful wildflower meadows and the stories of the area. Loved the bear hide experience; great to see and observe brown bears in their natural habitat
read more
Martin Irving28 Jan 2025
A very enjoyable holiday with a group of like minded people. The food and accommodation were excellent and Thomas our guide was very passionate about his country and history.read more
Joyce Northcote07 Oct 2024
Location, the villa, the staff and amazing food, fantastic guide and trip programme itself was superb.read more
