Sightseeker – scenic riding tour

May-October 

4 days 

890,00 €

Our new adventurous trail for every horse and nature fan with a limited amount of time: 

A four day trail ride on the ridge of the carpathian mountains. Together we discover remote places, only reachable by horse or foot. We visit the farmers in the Gyimesi Basin, sleep in an isolated hut in the national park and climb the summits of the mountain range. 

This short trip will give you unique insight in the life of the local mountain people, called Tschangos. The changes of time seemed to have bypassed this region and people live with and from the surrounding nature.

Our calm and sure-footed horses, ponies and guides will give their best to steer you through small and big challenges of the trip.

At a glance
  • 4 riding days / 5overnight stays
  • Trail-ride of 110 km through the wilderness of the Eastern Carpathians
  • Daily rides with a duration of 5-6 hours
  • Reliable, sure-footed horse and the necessary gear
  • Experienced, English speaking guide
  • rich breakfast and warm, local dinner
  • Local, alcoholic beverages are included
  • 1 picnic a day
  • 2 overnight stays on our ranch in an oven-heated double- or multibed room
  • 3 overnight stays in different guesthouses and mountain huts
  • Adventurous off-road drive to our ranch
  • Hot Pot: wood-heated tub with warm salt water included
  • Free and safe parking spaces
  • Discount for groups possible on request
  • Maximum group size is 10

Come with us and discover remote and hidden places on horseback!
Four days trail ride in unspoilt nature.

Tour description

1st day:

After your arrival in Gheorgheni, we will take you on an adventurous off-road ride: In our van we will take you to our Hipparion Ranch, which is remotely located in the Eastern Carpathian Mountains. With a little luck we might spot a deer, a capercaillie bird or even a bear. Once you have arrived on our ranch, you can unwind after your long journey by immersing yourself in the warm salt water of our Hot Pot. After having familiarized yourself with our horses and moving into your room, our cook Brigitta, will indulge you with an original Szekler dinner, in our rustic log cabin.

2nd day:

Early in the morning we meet for a strengthening breakfast in our rustic dining log house. We speak about the upcoming tour and choose your horses. On the surrounding natural meadow, we search our four-legged companions. After getting to know each other while brushing, we will demonstrate how to saddle the horses. 

We start our adventure in the direction of the main ridge of the caparthian mountains. The first small break after a steep uphill passage will be at ‘Lo Havas’ (1500 m). The path leads us past ‘Csofronka’ (1550 m) until we reach the pastures of ‘Tunseria’, where in the summer months shepherds graze their cattle. The panorama shows us the ‘Red Lake’ and the Bikacz Canyon behind it.

Deep in the national park of Hasmas we ride on the ‘White Meadow’, named by the rocks of limestones that peek out of the grass. From here we lead the horses downhill to the valley where we sleep in the village ‘Haromkut’ (translated ‘Three wells’). The people of the region and this village are called ‘Tschangos’ and live a simple, rustic life. Many families live from what their farms provide them with. A lot of the farm work is still done by hand, from sowing the grains to the annual hey harvesting. Here, horses are an important part of the daily work, from transporting wood, hey and people in the carriages. Our host for today, István, lives with his family at the edge of the village. While Maris prepares a traditional dinner, we have time to visit a geological phenomenon in the village: a warm spring whose temperature never drops below 4 degrees, even in the coldest days of the Harghita winter. The geologists still wonder why. 

Riding duration: 5 hours

3rd day:

Well rested and after a hearty breakfast we mount the horses and continue our way through the mountains. From the valley, we climb up to 1170 m to the Ilia pass. From here we spot many alpine dairies and in the summer shepherd with their various animals. We follow the main ridge, passing the ‘Javardi’ and reach the summit of ‘Terkö’ (1380 m), where a wide meadow allows us a long gallop.

Sometimes half-wild horses cross our path. In the summer the horses live free on the alpine pastures and are only in autumn rewatched by their owners and brought down to the villages for pulling trees out of the forests.

Again we climb high up and are rewarded by the view from the ‘Öcsem plateau’ (1707 m). If the weather allows it, we can spot the ‘Fagarasch’ mountain range on the horizon, where the highest summits of Romania are located. Before we can reach our destination and sleeping place for today (the Lonely Store Lodge), we have to manage the challenge of hiking down the steep paths of the shepherd stone. An especially adventurous and slippery task after a rainfall. Good thing we have our reliable, waterproof hiking boots with good soles. 

Aranka, our hostess for this night, awaits us at the Lonely Stone Lodge. For years she and her husband Zoli welcome tired hikers at the hut in the middle of the Hasmas national park. This scenic place can only be reached by foot or horse. Also the dinner, breakfast and the ‘after-ride-beer’ was carried up by packing horses. We will be sleeping in bunkbeds in oven-heated rooms. 

Riding duration: 6 hours

4th day:

The third day of riding starts with a hike downhill to the Olt-river. We mount the horses and ride on the plain of ‘Fekete Rez’ (1568 m). Through thick spruce forests we ride down to the village Marasfö. A loving family renovated their farmhouse for guests and we are welcomed on the terrace by our hostess Katalin. The small pension has three bathrooms, and we can wash off the dirt of the last days with a hot shower. 

Riding duration: 5 hours

5th day:

Our last day begins with a ride through the village and back to ‘Fekete Rez’. On forest paths we climb up to ‘Lok Nyereg’ where we have our lunch break and let the horses graze next to the alpine dairy. Refreshed we discover bear tracks along our way through the valley of Balan. Very near to our route are the grounds of a reintroduction program for orphaned brown bears. The last passage uphill is steep, but our horses know, they are near home and give their best. The first that are sensing our homecoming are our dogs. Now, also the human residents of the Ranch know we are back and we cheer to the successful trip with homemade blueberry liquor. 

After releasing the horses on the meadow, you can spent the time until dinner in the Hot Pot or in the hammock, letting the experiences of the last days sink in. Maybe, at the dinner table with a glass of good wine, the conversations will inspire you to already plan a new riding vacation? 

Riding duration: 5,5 hours

Requirements: 

You should be experienced in all paces (walk, trot, gallop) and be in a good physical condition. Sometimes we hike and lead the horses down and uphill. You should be able to independently control your horse. 

Packing: 

Good hiking/trekking boots, high quality rain gear, head lamp, sleeping bag and warm clothes

You will receive a detailed packing list after signing up. 

Important notes: 

– vegan meals are not possible on this trip

-In special cases vegetarian, lactose free and gluten free meals can be provided. Please be aware that the meals will be simpler and the diversity reduced. Only possible with a declaration before arrival. 

Changes in the program can occur depended on the weather

Tour dates

22.-27.05.2023 fully booked

12.-17.06.2023

26.06.-01.07.2023 fully booked

10.-15.07.2023

31.07.-05.08.2023 fully booked

14.-19.08.2023

28.08.-02.09.2023

18.23.-09.2023

02.-07.10.2023

16.-21.10.2023

Book the Sightseeker tour