This guide describes 27 short treks of 2-6 days and 10 day walks in the mountains of Romania. Although there is a slight focus on Transylvania, most of the main massifs are included, with chapters covering the Mountains of Maramures, the Eastern Carpathians, the mountains around Brasov, the Fagara?, the region between the Olt and the Jiu, the Retezat, the mountains of Banat and the Apuseni. Also included is an ascent of Moldoveanu, Romania's highest peak at 2544m. There is a wealth of advice to help you plan your trip and organise the logistics of your walk or trek. Some routes avail of the network of mountain huts; others offer opportunities to camp in attractive wild locations. Overviews and a route summary table make it easy to choose an appropriate excursion. Each route includes clear description and mapping, as well as notes on accommodation and access (some can be accessed by public transport, although others require either pre-arranged pick-up or hitchhiking). There are fascinating insights into Romania's colourful culture and history and appendices containing hut listings, useful contacts and a helpful glossary. The graded routes are as varied as Romania's diverse landscapes. They take in rolling hills, craggy karst peaks, glacial lakes and Europe's last virgin forests, with other highlights including Transylvanian castles, wooden churches, the Piatra Craiului ridge and the spectacular Sapte Scari (Seven Ladders) and Turda Gorges. Historic towns such as the medieval towns of Brasov and Sibiu and the spa resort of Vatra Dornei offer easy access to the mountains; other routes visit remote villages that have changed little over the centuries, where self-sufficiency is still very much the way of life. All in all, the guide is a perfect companion to discovering the unspoilt beauty of Romania's enchanting mountain regions.

Romania is a country located in southeastern Europe with a population of around 19.5 million people. It is bordered by Ukraine to the north, Moldova to the northeast, Hungary to the west, Serbia to the southwest, and Bulgaria to the south. Romania's capital and largest city is Bucharest, which is also its political and cultural center. The country covers a total area of 238,391 square kilometers and is home to many natural wonders, including the Carpathian Mountains, the Danube Delta, and the Black Sea coast. Romania has a rich cultural heritage that dates back to prehistoric times, with notable influences from the Romans, Byzantines, Saxons, and Ottomans, among others. The country is known for its beautiful architecture, diverse cuisine, and lively folk traditions. Some of the country's most popular attractions include the medieval fortified city of Sighisoara, the castles of Dracula and Peles, the painted monasteries of Bucovina, and the Sphinx and Babele rock formations in the Bucegi Mountains. Despite its challenges with corruption and economic development, Romania is a fascinating and dynamic country that offers visitors a unique blend of old-world charm and modern appeal.

Rosemary Rennon discovered Romania in 1993 when she went hunting for the small village where her father was born. She was captivated by its scenery and by the simplicity of a country just awakening from its long communist nightmare. Unfamiliar to many due to its long isolation, Romania is comprised of five distinct regions resulting from both their unique landscapes and their historical populations of Dacians, Romanians, Germans, Hungarians and Turks. In addition to its rolling green hills and valleys, with the arc of the Carpathian mountain chain in its centre, the country's southeastern region on the Black Sea provides a massive wildlife refuge, as well as miles of sandy beach resorts. Its cities are filled with outstanding architectural gems and modern activities. All this, plus a fascinating, turbulent history and the lovely Romanian tongue-considered by many to be the original romance language-belong to a culture one will never want to leave.

A guidebook to trekking the Peaks of the Balkans Trail. Passing through Albania, Kosovo and Montenegro, the 183km circular route can be completed in around a fortnight. The walking itself is not difficult, although the route passes through some remote areas and demands a moderate level of fitness. The route is presented anti-clockwise from Theth (Albania) in 10 stages of between 10 and 28km. Also included are a handful of optional detours to climb neighbouring peaks and visit local sites of interest. 1:50,000 mapping and elevation profile provided for each stage Everything you need to plan a successful trip: how to get to the route, when to go, what to take, and information on cross-border permits Accommodation listings included Geology, history, plants and wildlife Language notes and glossary

This timely and interdisciplinary book is the first to examine mountain tourism and local communities with a pro-poor lens. By drawing on human geography, political and social science, ethics and moral philosophy and empirical research, the volume explores how mountain tourism can be used to fight poverty and inequality in mountain regions. Mountain tourism represents a growing mass tourism phenomenon. The local population, recognizing the possibilities for increased income, started to develop in situ services. However, sensitive to outside influences, the environment of high-altitude mountain areas resident communities have been abruptly exposed to impacts from mountain tourism-related activities, although until recently, they have been cut off from civilization. The natural environment and people living in mountain regions have been affected by an increasing number of visitors in the last few decades. Hence, this book provides an expert-led and comprehensive summary of mountain tourism development and illustrates how tourism can increase benefits for the poor within local communities. Furthermore, it presents updated management and governance policies. This volume will be of pivotal interest to scholars and practitioners from the fields of geography and tourism studies, ethics, and development economics, as well as policymakers, aid agencies, and general readers interested in sustainable development in mountain regions.

A definitive guidebook to walking and trekking in Romania's Carpathian Mountains, one of the wildest parts of Eastern Europe. Covers all the main ranges in the southern Carpathians, and the Eastern Carpathians and Bucovina's monasteries. Complete information on getting to grips with Romania.