1 or 2-day Hiking Tour from Cluj: Wild Trails in Apuseni Natural Park

The beginning of the trail that goes on top of the White Cliffs ridge.

on top of the cliffs, you can se the trail going close to the edge.

Indigenous plants, mushrooms and animals

Let's go on a hiking trip from Cluj-Napoca into Apuseni Natural Park to discover a beautiful newly marked trail: we pass through caves to reach peaks and crests where breathtaking landscapes of virgin beauty await! We can also summit Vladeasa Peak at 1,836m, go on trails, see village life or turn this trip into an adventure and stay 2 days in the area!

What you need to know Moments to expect Guide Cancellation & refund policy Location details

What you need to know about this hiking tour from Cluj-Napoca:

This is a private hiking day trip from Cluj-Napoca into Apuseni Mountains. Duration: 8-10 hours
Included: transport by car (1,5h / way), licensed mountain guide, snacks and bottled water
Hike on wild and beautiful trails in Apuseni Mountains depending on your fitness level and preferences. Difficulty: medium - above medium (for best places). Trail will be agreed with the guide
[Tour extension] Stay 2 days in the mountains to summit Vladeasa peak at 1,836m altitude or go in Scarita Belioara Natural Reserve (extra 205 Euro/person, includes accommodation at a local guesthouse, dinner and breakfast)

Additional information

Minimum hiking equipment needed (boots, trailrun shoes, rain jacket, thermal coat, comfortable pants, small backpack 15 - 20L).

All optionals are available at extra cost on booking page. For bookings over 4 people, please contact Romanian Friend.

You can read more about Apuseni Natural Park in the 'Main Attraction' section of the website.

Moments to expect during this hiking day trip from Cluj-Napoca:

Hike on wild trails in Apuseni Mountains: go through caves & feel like an 'outlaw'

This hiking trip from Cluj-Napoca will be full of adventure: we will pass through caves, hold on to chains and go through narrow passages to get to the other side. We trek through virgin forests and make our way to the top of the cliffs to admire beautiful views of Romania's Carpathian Mountains! You will also experience the 'outlaw' feeling because this is where the anti-communist resistance went into hiding from the feared Securitate!

Attractions included

Places to visit in Apuseni Mountains: Exploring the Natural Park in the Western Carpathians

The newest charted trail: White Cliffs Circuit

I am part of Vladeasa Mountain Rescuers and we recently marked a new hiking trail in the Apuseni Mountains because of its beauty and wild feeling. I will guide you on this newly marked hiking route few people know of to the top of the White Cliffs at 1600m. On our way you will get superb views of the entire area the whole time! It's one of the best hiking trails in Romania!

Bride’s Wail Waterfall

It is the most emblematic waterfall in the Apuseni National Park and the biggest one in the area. Rachitele village became well known because of this wonder of nature. It is a 30m tall waterfall with an interesting local legend. We go trekking to see it and I will tell you all about it!

Enjoy a traditional lunch

If you book the overnight extention we'll enjoy a well-deserved delicious dinner and breakfast with homegrown products & local dishes cooked by locals!

[Tour extension] Summit Vladeasa Peak

If you extend this trip to 2 days then we have more time to go hiking in the area! We can summit Vladeasa Peak, the second highest in Apuseni Mts. at 1,836m altitude or go hiking in Scarita Belioara natural reserve which has superb wilderness views, uniques in these parts!
Extra 205 Euro/person (includes accommodation in a double room at a local guesthouse, 3 meals, guidance and transport)

Stay in a traditional mountain guesthouse

We'll stay in a family owned guesthouse with superb views of the area. The silence and sounds of nature will instantly relax you, while the morning fresh air will energise you. If we're lucky for clear sky at night, you can do star gazing like no where else in Europe! And then enjoy delicious meals with organic products from the area.

How to book?

Choose how many people and when
Request a booking and fill in your details
Flexible payment and cancelation
Guide answers in 24h
Children prices

2 x 105 Euro

How to book this tour?

Choose how many people and when
Request a booking and fill in your details
Flexible payment and cancelation
Guide answers in 24h
Children prices

Guide

Radu

16 REVIEWS

19 years ago I fell in love with Romania's nature. Since then my life gravitated around the Carpathian Mountains, exploring them through active sports: climbing, running, cycling or skiing. For 7 years now I have also been a guide, so join me on a tour!

I like: mountain sports, spirituality , reading, woodworking, observing nature and local life.

I speak: english, romanian

Cancelation & refund policy

Easy

Sends us or the guide an email 24h before the tour informing us you can't make it and you'll get a full refund of your payment, no questions asked.

Location details

Starting point: Cluj-Napoca
Nearest airport: Cluj-Napoca International Airport
Nearest train station: Cluj-Napoca
Landscape: Mountainous, Countryside

See on the map

Reviews from travellers

Michael B. on 11.06.2025

Radu took his time with us to continue on our own pace, we had an excellent and adventurous day in the mountains, even going through a cave, which we didn't expect. He also gave us further recommendations for the area and we hope to back one time!

Isabella F. on 29.04.2025

This was probably the highlight of my 2 weeks in Romania - the scenery was breathtaking, the walk challenging enough to be enjoyable but eminently doable, and my guide Simona an absolute delight. Not to mention the dog that decided to accompany us the entire way!

Magda A. on 26.04.2024

Apuseni Natural Park was gorgeous, and Radu was a wonderful guide. He chose the right hike for our group's needs and went out of his way to point out interesting sights on the way to and from the park. This outing was the highlight of my trip. Thanks, Radu!

Heather B. on 29.08.2023

We did the 1 day hike in the Apuseni Natural Park with Radu. Radu was great and the hike was great. Great views! Would definitely recommend for a nice day trip.

cathal m. on 15.08.2023

Radu is an excellent tour guide. A two day hike tailored exactly to our interests and walking pace. Thorough discussion of trails and choices so we were happy every step of the way. Radu has a deep love and knowledge of the mountains and brilliant English so we had great conversations too. He went above and beyond to make sure we had an exceptional experience. Thanks Saint Radu!

Florin P. on 18.05.2022

We had a wonderful and challenging hike through the Apuseni mountains with our guide, Radu. He is a very nice guy and a pleasure to go hiking with.

Sean H. on 03.05.2022

The tour with Radu was excellent. We did a mix of climbing in the mountains, but adapted to explore some local villages and rural culture. Radu is a great guy, and interesting, relaxed company for three days. The trip included overnight stays in a very comfortable guesthouse with tasty home-cooked food.

Hubertus H. on 06.08.2021

We had a great 2 day hiking trip with Radu. He is a very knowledgeable guide and took us on two hikes with beautiful scenery. You should try it! Marius from Romanian Friend made a great recommendation with this tour, quick responses and very good service.

Jorge David B. on 31.05.2021

It is wonderful experience, totally recommended to go there and enjoy the beautiful Romanian nature. The tour guide Radu is an excellent person, you will enjoy the activity and talking with him. Romanian Friend was supportive with my questions and booking, totally recommend!

Tomas C. on 17.10.2019

Apuseni park was beautiful in Autumn, I'm so glad I did this tour. Radu was an excellent guide, who allowed me to set the pace for the hike and customised the day based on my fitness and what I wanted to see. Definitely would recommend this tour and Romanian Friend website to others!

Mai S. on 03.10.2019

It was perfect! Booking through Romanian Friend was easy, confirmed very quickly & my guide; Radu was great, very friendly & supportive.

Sarah G. on 15.12.2018

A very nice experience. Radu was amazing, we couldn’t have had a better guide :)

Satu V. on 13.10.2017

Great resource for anyone planning to visit Romania! I found it very easy to book through Romanian Friend and the communication was excellent prior to, during and after our trip. The blog post for first-time visitors and Cluj city guide Marius sent us were a nice touch, and we found both very helpful! And the hiking tour with Radu - excellent, beautiful and a unique experience in Romania's Carpathians, also seeing local village life. Would absolutely recommend these guys. Well done!

Stefan D. on 16.09.2017

I had a really great hiking tour with Radu – he was very good company and I greatly enjoyed not only the tour itself but also our conversations. What’s more, he’s very passionate about the outdoors, and was always encouraging yet not pushing during our hike. It was nice to enjoy views from the mountains in remote areas, a welcome change from the cities indeed. In addition, communication with the people from Romanian Friend and Radu was excellent, and I was able to do the trip on very short notice. Definitely can only recommend and thanks for setting it up so easy!