WORDS & PHOTOGRAPHY TOMASZ DEBIEC
Romania is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful and interesting countries in Europe. It attracts increasing numbers of tourists looking for traces of its famous vampires (Prince Vlad Palownik – Dracula’s inspiration – was born in Romania), and visiting historic cities and castles. It is also a popular holiday destination for motorcyclists, car drivers and lovers of enduro racing. But don’t expect typical bike vibes like you get in classic Italian places like Lake Garda or Finale Ligure. Forget about all the infrastructure of Alpine resorts. Here, you’re more likely to bump into a bear than another cyclist. I love the riding here so much that I’ve made the trip from my native Poland to Romania many times, and I still feel there’s more to explore.
Romanian mountains are definitely my favourite. They are not too easy – like the mountains in my village that just slightly exceed an altitude of 1,000m – but at the same time, they are not so hardcore as to make you want to quit them. The Rodna Mountains in the north of Romania have no cycle-specific tracks, but many of the paths frequented by shepherds and walkers can easily be used for trail riding. In the Fagaras Rountains to the south you’ll find technical trails with switchbacks so tight, you can only turn by making a front wheel endo on every corner. The Parang Mountains, where the main access road was only covered with asphalt in the last few years, offer more steep and technical riding, while the impressive Retezat mountain range… well, we’re hoping to go there next. Romania has so much to offer that it will take some time before my friends and I become bored with mountain adventures in the wilderness there.