Romania
Apr 26 – May 3, 2027 · 7 days
Apr 26 – May 3, 2027
7 days
Up to 14 participants
Gravel Cycling
The challenge
A short ferry pushes across the Danube. The water is wide and quiet. On the far bank, the road begins.…
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A short ferry pushes across the Danube. The water is wide and quiet. On the far bank, the road begins. This is where our week in Romania starts, and it will ask a lot of your legs.
I'm Fabrizio, a Belgian rider who lives on road and gravel across Northern Europe. I keep my group small and close, because that is how I like to ride. Come along and you'll join a team, not a crowd. We talk in French and English, and we look out for each other on every climb.
This is a hard seven days. On day two we ride 70 km along the wild banks of the Danube, past a Roman fort. Day three takes us into the Macin Mountains, some of the oldest hills in Europe, up to Tutuiatu at 467 m. In between, we rest in the Danube Delta, a wetland you can only reach by boat. We drift through channels by kayak and eat fresh fish for lunch.
Later you'll climb the Buzau hills, past salt mountains, a living fire, and bubbling mud volcanoes. One day packs 1,400 m of climbing into 65 km. The effort is the point. You will feel it in your chest and your legs.
We finish with dinner at a local winery, tired and happy. Expect long days, big skies, and villages that feel far from home. Picture the last light on the hills, your bike still ticking as it cools. That is what stays with you.
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We read every application. Small group — and I want to get the group right. If this sounds like you, apply below.
Day-by-Day
Day 1
Day one starts in Bucharest. I'll meet you at the airport. Then we head to Calarasi, a town that sits right on the banks of the Danube. No riding yet. Just settle in, rest your legs, and get ready. We close the night with dinner at the guesthouse. Outside, the big river rolls slow and quiet.
Day 2
Day 2 starts with a short ferry across the Danube. We ride 70 km along the wild banks, on the Romania and Bulgaria border. That's +850 m of climbing through hills, farms and small villages. We stop at the Sacidava Roman fort along the way. Then we transfer to Macin-Greci for dinner. The mountains wait in the dusk.
Day 3
Day 3 is all mountains. We ride 52 km through the Macin range, some of the oldest peaks in Europe. You will climb 930 metres to Tutuiatu, the highest point at 467 m. We pass sharp rock shapes on the park's east side. We start and finish at the guesthouse, then eat in Macin. Old stone, quiet air.
Day 4
Day 4 is your recovery day. We transfer to Tulcea, the gate to the Danube Delta. This wetland is only reached by boat. We drift the small channels and lakes by kayak or canoe. Lunch is fresh fish in Mila 23 or Sulina. Then we head back near Tulcea for dinner. Just water, birds, and calm.
Day 5
Day 5 rolls out from Babadag, a small city set between lakes. We ride south to Razim, Romania's largest lake, then trace its banks to Cape Dolosman and the old ruins of Argamum. Then west to the Genovese fortress of Enisala. That's 75 km, +550 m. Old stones, wide water, tired legs.
Day 6
Day 6 splits two ways. If you're the five-nights team, you'll relax at Therme Bucharest before your flight, then head to the airport. If you stay on, we transfer to Istrita Hill in Buzau. We ride 35 km with 915 m of climbing, starting near Pietroasele. Up the ridge, down through quiet villages. The hills keep rolling.
Day 7
Day 7 is a big one. We traverse the Buzau hills from north to south, 65 km with 1,400 m of climbing. We start at Manzalesti and loop the Meledic salt mountain. We pass Focul Viu, the Living Fire, then ride on to the Mud Volcanoes. We finish in Berca, legs done, wine waiting.
Day 8
Day 8 is our last morning. We share one more breakfast together. If the flight times allow, you will have two or three hours to rest at Therme Bucharest. Warm water, soft light, tired legs finally at ease. Then comes the final drive to Bucharest Airport. The tour ends here, hills still humming in your legs.