Dubbed the ‘Camino of the East’, the 1,400 km long-distance walking trail, Via Transilvanica, is helping position Romania as Europe’s next great walking destination
One of the cheapest countries in Europe has been tipped as the next go-to destination for walkers.
Following Romania’s recent inclusion in the Schengen area, travel interest in the eastern European nation has spiked. There is plenty going for it. Romania enjoys warm weather in the summer; its countryside is verdant and vast; and it’s cheaper compared to its neighbours.
This week, one particular part of the country has featured on Intrepid Travel’s Not Hot List, which highlights ten parts of the world where few people currently visit.
Via Transilvanica is Romania’s entry this year. Dubbed the ‘Camino of the East’, the 1,400 km long-distance walking trail, Via Transilvanica, is helping position the country as Europe’s next great walking destination.
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Initiated by Intrepid Foundation partner Tășuleasa Social Association, and known as ‘the road that unites’, its route is intentionally designed to connect travellers to lesser‑known communities and share the economic benefits of tourism more widely.
The trail takes travellers through villages, ancient forests, and 12 UNESCO World Heritage sites. With visitor numbers rising, now is the perfect time for the nation to consider its approach to sustainable tourism.
Romania welcomed 7.1 million overnight international visitors in 2024. The addition of 170 km of new paths opening in 2026 marks the first phase of a larger 20-year expansion plan to grow the Via Transilvanica trail beyond its original footprint, broadening its reach across Romania.
Smoother travel times, thanks to Romania’s 2025 Schengen debut that scrapped border checks with its European neighbours, and new flight routes from Birmingham to Sibiu have opened the door to a new era of travel for the region.
Anna Székely, vice-president of the Tășuleasa Social Association, said: “This slow-travel route isn’t just scenic, it’s built to revive depopulated villages, support local enterprise and give visitors a rare chance to experience traditions that feel untouched by time.
“For us, hospitality means creating genuine meeting points between hikers and locals – places where shared meals, old stories and the rhythm of rural life are as much a part of the journey as the miles walked.” Intrepid’s new 11-day Hiking in Romania via Transilvanica Trail trip gives travellers early access to some of the newly added sections of the trail.
“Hike to spiritual sites such as the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Sucevita and Moldovita monasteries and explore Bran Castle, linked to the Dracula legend. Enjoy the occasional homemade dinner and local wine with residents living in small villages along the trail and learn about each community’s culture.”
Intrepid’s 2026 Not Hot List features:
- Tiwai Island, Sierra Leone
- Tien Shan Mountain Range, Kyrgyzstan
- Sierra Norte, Mexico
- Vis Island, Croatia
- Gaziantep, Türkiye
- Arunachal Pradesh, India
- Via Transilvanica, Romania
- Ruta de las Flores, El Salvador
- Oulu, Finland
- Great Basin National Park, Nevada, US
