A Royal Transylvanian Experience

On this adventure you will have the luxury of staying on the Estate of Count Kálnoky in Transylvania! This is one of the most beautiful and unique places in Europe. Famous for its tales of Count Dracula, this is a spectacular hidden nook of nature that you will not want to miss discovering. The rides have been described as Tolstoy-esque, while also maintaining a special charm that comes from staying in the villages surrounding the Castle! The Kálnoky Stables are partnered with the King Charles III’ foundation in Romania to ensure that Transylvania can keep its unique charm. Truly an unforgettable experience!

The Horses

The Countess' horses, Lippizzaners, Shagya Arabians, Cavalry Gidrans and Hutzul crosses range in size from 14hh Carpathian mountain ponies to 17hh warmbloods . Since every rider and horse are different, you will be paired individually with your mount upon arrival to ensure the best fit! The horses are accustomed to the rough terrains that you will encounter on your journey and can take good care of you throughout!

Stay in a Transylvanian castle

Accommodations

Immerse yourself in a quintessential rural experience, Transylvania is one of Europe's last preserved areas where life has not changed very much in centuries. You will be able to visit medieval villages, luxuriant landscapes and learn more about Transylvanian culture. During your stay you will be housed at Count Kalnoky’s cottages and at The King's private retreat. The guest houses date back to even before the 1800s and have been pristinely preserved. All the cottages have access to spacious gardens and are equipped with heating for the winter months. Guests are also fond of getting an insight into the reality of the region by staying 2 nights in villager's homes during the 5-day ride. Traveling back in time is definitely part of the experience!
 

The Rides: Long and Short

ITINERARY OF THE LONG RIDES: This is the standard itinerary available from the beginning of April to the end of October. Around 4-6 hours (20-30km) are spent in the saddle daily and a variety of terrain is traversed as you travel through wild hills and forest landscapes during the 110-120km long trail. The villages are situated at 450-700m, the hills reach 800-900m. This region is called Erdővidék, or “Woodlands”, and has been looking very much the same for the last centuries, including its charming ancient villages.

Day 1 (Sunday): You will arrive at Miklósvár / Miclosoara after being transferred from the airport/station. The village of Miklósvár was part of the Kálnoky family estate and the old hunting manor is on the edge of the village - now The Museum of Transylvanian Life. The area was part of the Austro-Hungarian empire and became Romanian during the 1st World War. A number of the traditional houses in the village have been carefully restored in order to preserve their original Transylvanian charm and character and accommodation is in these guesthouses. The cottages are situated within spacious gardens, with storks nesting on nearby rooftops. Meet your guide or Countess Anna Kálnoky to discuss the horses you will be riding during the tour.

Day 2 (Monday): Transfer to the riding centre at Valea Crisului (Sepsikőröspatak, “Round Brook”), 40 min. by car. The ride starts ascending slowly onto a ridge, where we are heading north on high pastures with magnificent views stretching to the high Carpathian Range. We leave the villages of Kálnok and Zalán to our right below us down in the valley, meet shepherds and their flocks on the pastures and at the end of the day we descend through the forest to reach Malnas Bai (Málnásfürdő, “Raspberry Baths”), where the riders stay for the night as guests of a local hunter’s family (bathrooms might have to be shared). Once a thriving spa with plenty of mineral water springs, this village has typical wooden turn-of-the-century Transylvanian spa architecture, although now in a rather rickety shape. Riding distance & time: 21km, 4-5 hours.

Day 3 (Tuesday): We ascend back up into the deep forests of the Hatod region, where 6 villages share the same woods (hatod = “one sixth”). We travel along a quiet forest track, where bear traces are often to be found. After having ridden around the extinct volcano called “Murgó”, we descend on gentle grassy slopes to the Batanii villages (“Big Bacon and Little Bacon”) to reach our accommodations in village houses at lovely “Little Bacon” where we shall have common dinner at a local family. The villagers here are known to be especially hospitable and friendly, and before dinner they will take pride at showing you their still functioning watermill and traditional looms. Riding distance & time: 22km, 5 hours.

Day 4 (Wednesday): We head northwest through forests and hay meadows, to climb up to Szép Arca (“Pretty Face”) hill on the southern slopes of the Hargita Range. Wide views open out on distant Barót and Olt Valley. We descend south and cross a valley to reach the hills south of Barót where we will have our picnic at a small lake. It is the result of a collapsed mine and is situated at the old mining settlement 'Köpecbánya' which is now mainly populated by gypsies. From here we follow the lower line of the forest along the beautiful valley of the Olt river, reaching Miklosvar's manor grounds and stables in the afternoon. You will be accommodated at Count Kálnoky’s guesthouses. Visit the castle, its museum and park in the afternoon and hang out at the Stone Pub for pre-dinner drinks in the evening. Riding distance & time: 25km, 6 hours.

Day 5 (Thursday): We leave Miklósvár and head east along forests and pastures, passing through Szárazajta / Aita Seaca (‘Dry’ Ajta village), to climb up to the ridge above Zalánpatak valley. Wide views open out on the distant Carpathian mountain range. We descend southeast to the village of Zalánpatak / Valea Zalanului, which was part of the Kálnoky family estate as a glass manufacture and now harbours H.R.H. The Prince of Wales's private retreat. Several traditional houses in the village have been carefully restored, where you will be accommodated for the next 2 nights. Before dinner, you can have a walk in the evening on the King's estate to watch wildlife venturing out onto the meadows at sundown. Riding distance & time: 21km, 4-5 hours.

Day 6 (Friday): From Zalánpatak, we return to Kőröspatak crossing the hills and brooks. This trip was very common for many a generation of the Kálnoky family who had to ride often between the two villages. It is a medium ride through spectacular surroundings with wonderful views from the high pastures. After crossing the ancient village of Kálnok, the final canter will reach the ruins of the old tower above Kőröspatak. Before reaching the stables you will dip the horse's legs in the little stream crossing the village. You will be transferred back to Zalánpatak guesthouse for the evening. Riding distance & time: 19km, 4 hours.

Day 7 (Saturday): Depart after breakfast, or adding on a few days of relaxation and tours based at Count Kálnoky’s guesthouses in Miklósvár.

2023 Dates

NOTE:
- Current Availability as of 15 February, 2023
- A minimum of 2 participants are required to confirm the trip

A minimum of 2 participants are required to confirm the trip

April 9th – 15th: Dandelion tour - 1 provisional reservation

April 23rd – 29th: Forget – me – not tour - 1 available place

May 7th – 13th: Ragged-Robin tour

May 21st – 27th: Royal Midget tour - 3 available places

June 4th – 10th: Daisy tour

June 18th – 24th: Harebell tour

July 2nd – 8th: Fully booked

July 16th – 22nd: Arnica Montana tour

July 30th – August 5th: Rock Rose tour

August 13th – 19th: Silver Hawkweed tour - 4 available places

August 27th – September 2nd: Knapweed tour - 4 available places

September 10th – 16th: Autumn Crocus tour - Fully booked

September 24th – 30th: Golden Forest tour - 3 available places

October 8th – 14th: Flamboyant Foliage tour - fully booked

October 22nd – 28th: Rosehip tour


ITINERARY OF THE SHORT RIDES:
This ride is available from the beginning of April to the end of October. Around 5-6 hours (20-25km) are spent in the saddle daily and a variety of terrain is traversed as you travel through wild hills and forest landscapes during the 65km long trail. The villages are situated at 450-700m, the hills reach 800-900m. This region is called Erdővidék, or “Woodlands”, and has been looking very much the same for the last centuries, including its ancient villages. At the beginning of your stay, you will enjoy one day at the Count's estate to tune into this unique environment before your 3-day ride. At the end you will spend one day relaxing at the prince's retreat, tucked away in the hills.

Day 1 (Sunday): You will arrive at Miklósvár / Miclosoara after being transferred from the airport/station. The village of Miklosvar was part of the Kálnoky family estate and the old hunting manor is on the edge of the village - now The Museum of Transylvanian Life. It is the oldest village of Szeklerland, documented as soon as AD 1211. The area was part of the Austro-Hungarian empire and became Romanian during the 1st World War. A number of the traditional houses in the village have been carefully restored in order to preserve their original Transylvanian charm and character and accommodation is in these guesthouses. The Cottages are situated within spacious gardens, with storks nesting on nearby rooftops. Meet your guide or Countess Anna Kálnoky to discuss the horses you will be riding during the tour.

Day 2 (Monday):Transfer to the riding centre at Valea Crisului (Sepsikőröspatak, “Round Brook”), 40 min. by car. The ride starts ascending slowly onto a ridge, where we are heading north on high pastures with magnificent views stretching to the high Carpathian Range. We leave the villages of Kálnok and Zalán to our right below us down in the valley, meet shepherds and their flocks on the pastures and at the end of the day we descend through the forest to reach Malnas Bai (Málnásfürdő, “Raspberry Baths”), where the riders stay for the night as guests of a local hunter’s family (bathrooms might have to be shared). Once a thriving spa with plenty of mineral water springs, this village has typical wooden turn-of-the-century Transylvanian spa architecture, although now in a rather rickety shape. Riding distance & time: 21km, 4-5 hours.

Day 3 (Tuesday): We ascend back up into the deep forests of the Hatod region, where 6 villages share the same woods (hatod = “one sixth”). We travel along a quiet forest track, where bear traces are often to be found. After having ridden around the extinct volcano called “Murgó”, we descend on gentle grassy slopes to the Batanii villages (“Big Bacon and Little Bacon”) to reach our accommodations in village houses at lovely “Little Bacon” where we shall have common dinner at a local family. The villagers here are known to be especially hospitable and friendly, and before dinner they will take pride at showing you their still functioning watermill and traditional looms.Riding distance & time: 22km, 5 hours.

Day 4 (Wednesday): We head northwest through forests and hay meadows, to climb up to Szép Arca (“Pretty Face”) hill on the southern slopes of the Hargita Range. Wide views open out on distant Barót and Olt Valley. We descend south and cross a valley to reach the hills south of Barót where we will have our picnic at a small lake. It is the result of a collapsed mine and is situated at the old mining settlement 'Köpecbánya' which is now mainly populated by gypsies. From here we follow the lower line of the forest along the beautiful valley of the Olt river, reaching Miklosvar's manor grounds and stables in the afternoon. You will be accommodated at Count Kálnoky’s guest houses. Visit the castle, its museum and park in the afternoon and hang out at the Stone Pub for pre-dinner drinks in the evening. Riding distance & time: 25km, 6 hours.

Day 5 (Thursday): We leave Miklósvár and head east along forests and pastures, passing through Szárazajta / Aita Seaca (‘Dry’ Ajta village), to climb up to the ridge above Zalánpatak valley. Wide views open out on the distant Carpathian mountain range. We descend southeast to the village of Zalánpatak / Valea Zalanului, which was part of the Kálnoky family estate as a glass manufacture and now harbours H.R.H. The Prince of Wales's private retreat. Several traditional houses in the village have been carefully restored, where you will be accommodated for the next 2 nights. Before dinner, you will have a walk in the evening on the Prince's estate to watch wildlife venturing out onto the meadows at sundown. Riding distance & time: 21km, 4-5 hours.

Day 6 (Friday): From Zalánpatak, we return to Kőröspatak crossing the hills and brooks. This trip was very common for many a generation of the Kálnoky family who had to ride often between the two villages. It is a medium ride through spectacular surroundings with wonderful views from the high pastures. After crossing the ancient village of Kálnok, the final canter will reach the ruins of the old tower above Kőröspatak. Before reaching the stables you will dip the horse's legs in the little stream crossing the village. You will be transferred back to Zalánpatak guesthouse for the evening. Riding distance & time: 19km, 4 hours.

Day 7 (Saturday): Depart after breakfast, or adding on a few days of relaxation and tours based at Count Kálnoky’s Guesthouses in Miklósvár.

Ride through Rural Romania

Count Kalnoky’s Transylvania Trail

Riding guests will stay at the Count's cottages at Miklósvár for two nights. There are 5 en-suite rooms available on first come first serve basis. We typically accept 8 riders per tour, so be quick to book! King Charles III’ private retreat will also accommodate the riders on the tour for two nights. Both locations have been equipped with wood-fired saltwater hottubs ideal for muscle-relaxing long baths after the rides. Many rides will be guided by the Kálnoky family's eldest son, 28-year-old certified riding guide count Mátyas Kálnoky, who is eager to show you the marvels of the wonderful region he has grown up in and calls his home.

Gallery

Location

Car

527165 Valea Crișului, nr. 5A Jud. Covasna, Transilvania, Romania

Airport

Bucharet Otopeni international airport Targu Mures Transylvania airport Sibiu International airport Brașov International Airport

Food & Drink

(Food & Drink)

Enjoy locally sourced food either from their own vegetable garden or from nearby villages that carefully produce all their products for your enjoyment. All jams and preserves are prepared in their kitchens and you will enjoy multi course meals with recipes that have been passed down for generations! Accommodations can be made for dietary restrictions upon request. Evening meals are served together as table d’hôte at the accommodations. Since 2019 the culinary staff has been trained by the Valea Verde restaurant that is well known for their exquisite meals!