Eastern Carpathians Full Day 4x4 Tour

Traveling with a 4x4 car is the best way to visit and discover the highlands of the Eastern Carpathians. The rugged mountain chain is a dramatic mix of almost untouched forests, pure streams, beautiful gorges, rocky uplands and rolling farmland. Besides the stunning scenery, meet local people on the route and witness their traditional way of living, scenic lookout points and thrilling wilderness routes. Pass through small villages, hidden valleys and along mountain ridges, giving you a unique experience with some fantastic photo opportunities. For lunch, choose between a picnic in nature or freshly baked trout in a remote mountainous village. Optionally, enjoy an easy 3-hour hike in the rocky Hasmas Mountains, or a self-drive experience assisted by your guide on some parts where the terrain is not too difficult.

Your adventure tour starts in Miercurea Ciuc where your guide awaits you to set off with a Suzuki Jimny 4x4 vehicle into the mountains and forests of the Eastern Carpathians. Before starting your off-road experience, ride half an hour along the villages of the Ciuc Basin, until the small village of Csikszentmihaly (Nicolesti) where the wilderness trails of the Ciuc Mountains begin. First, ride up to the bare ridge of the Naskalat Mountains and follow the forest roads going along the ridge. In 2-2.5 hours, get to the border of the Bicaz Gorges – Hasmas National Park - where you'll have a picnic from local products and go on a 2-3 hour easy trekking tour to the top of the 1,707 meter high Ecem Peak. From the craggy ridge of the Ecem Mountains you can enjoy the silence and a great panorama over the surrounding mountains.

When you get back to the car, continue your trip riding on remote forest routes and through mountain traditional areas to the small dispersed village of Haromkut. Here you can witness the traditional way of living and taste locally raised fresh trouts served by a local family. In the surroundings of the village you may meet horses, sheep and oxen flocks grazing, guarded by shepherds. From Haromkut, head to the breathtaking Bicaz Gorges riding along the picturesque Bicajel Valley with wooden houses and haystacks, dense forests and small waterfalls. After admiring the massive gorges and a short walk along Red Lake, a 1.5-hour ride follows back to Miercurea Ciuc.

Those who choose the option of via ferrata at the time of the booking, can experience this engineered vertical adventure powered by metal rungs, fixed iron ropes and an aerial bridge. It is totally secure and perfect for those of all experience levels. Strap on your harness and follow the instructions of your guide, conquer your fear of height and enjoy the gorgeous scenery of Red Lake, the surrounding mountain peaks and the Bicaz Gorges from above. With a secured route and all necessary equipment provided, this fully guided tour is a family friendly outing.