On 5 June 2025 Via Transilvanica, Romania’s epic “path that unites”, officially unfurled its newest chapter: Terra Borza Teutonica. The 170-kilometre segment stitches together 18 villages and small towns between Viscri and Brașov, adding fresh kilometres, stories and scenery to the country-spanning trail created by Tășuleasa Social.
With Terra Borza in place, Via Transilvanica now runs for roughly 1,570 kilometres, crossing 107 administrative areas and seven historical “terrae”. The newest stretch pays tribute to the Burzenland (Țara Bârsei)—once administered by Teutonic Knights—hence the Latin-Teutonic name.
Where The Via Transilvanica Trail Begins & Ends
- Viscri – The Saxon village adored by King Charles hides a UNESCO-listed 12th-century fortified church whose white walls glow at sunrise.
- Brașov Old Town – A medieval merchants’ hub wrapped in Carpathian peaks and pastel baroque façades; the gothic Black Church bell tolls to signal the end (or start) of your Borza adventure.
Between them lie rolling hills, oak forests, trout-rich rivers, and hamlets where horse-drawn carts still outnumber cars. Expect to walk on Roman roads, ancient shepherd paths and quiet farm lanes already open to public access—no new deforestation required.
Terra Borza’s 18 stops (north-to-south snapshot)
- Viscri – Saxon craft shops & slow-food barns
- Bunești – Fresco-filled fortified church
- Jibert – Views of the Perșani volcano plateau
- Ticușu – Old-German barns with carved gates
- Șoarș – Cattle farms & rye fields
- Mândra – Folk-art embroidery workshops
- Șercaia – Honey tasting at roadside apiaries
- Șinca Veche – “Temple Cave” spiritual site
- Șinca Nouă – Wooden church & trout lunches
- Poiana Mărului – Lakeside cabins under the Făgăraș peaks
- Zărnești – Gateway to Piatra Craiului National Park
- Bran – Dracula-lore castle and farmers’ cheese market
- Râșnov – Hilltop fortress built by Teutonic Knights
14–18. Cristian, Ghimbav, Codlea, Hărman, Brașov – Saxon belfries, cider orchards and cobblestoned finale
(Note: a few communes include multiple hamlets; way-markers clarify each micro-stage on the ground.)
Trail Flavour: What Makes Terra Borza Unique
- Teutonic heritage – 13th-century bastions (Râșnov, Feldioara) echo crusader tactics and Saxon prosperity.
- Saxon & Romanian pastoral life – Blue-washed cottages, hay-rick meadows, transhumance sheep flocks and Sunday brass bands.
- Wildlife corridor – Chances to spot red deer, lesser-spotted eagles and, with luck, Carpathian brown bears from safe observation hides.
- Living folk-art – Every kilometre is marked by a hand-carved and painted andesite milestone, each sculpted by a different Romanian artist—Terra Borza’s set was finished in spring 2025, the first stone planted in Viscri.
Planning your 2025 hike
| Mode | Days you’ll need | Daily distance | Bed options |
| On foot | 7–10 | 17–25 km | guesthouses, farm stays, tent platforms |
| Mountain-bike / gravel | 3–4 | 45–60 km | same, plus bike-friendly hostels |
| Horseback | 6–8 | 20–30 km | village stables & paddocks |
- Season window: May – mid-October; July brings wildflower meadows but also afternoon storms—pack rain gear.
- Navigation: download the free Via Transilvanica app (2025 update) or grab the GPX bundle; on the ground look for the white-orange-white “T” blaze every 200–500 m.
- Permits & fees: none for the trail itself; Bran Castle (70 RON) and Viscri church (15 RON) charge entry.
Couple-friendly itinerary idea (8 days)
- Viscri → Bunești (15 km) – Candlelit dinner at Viscri 32 farm-to-table bistro.
- Bunești → Șoarș (22 km) – Sunset picnic under the oak groves.
- Șoarș → Șinca Veche (25 km) – Evening meditation inside the cave-chapel.
- Șinca Veche → Poiana Mărului (19 km) – Stargazing over the lake pontoon.
- Poiana Mărului → Zărnești (18 km) – Detour into Prapastiile Zărneștilor gorge.
- Zărnești → Bran (16 km) – Night tour of Bran Castle followed by kurtos-kalacs dessert.
- Bran → Râșnov (14 km) – Morning cheese market, late-afternoon fortress garden walk.
- Râșnov → Brașov (21 km) – Finish under Brașov’s Hollywood-style sign; toast with a craft beer on Republicii Street.
Responsible footsteps
- Leave no trace – villages rely on wells; carry a water filter, minimise plastic.
- Support local – opt for family-run guesthouses and buy picnic goods from communal shops.
- Respect wildlife – keep food sealed; observe bears only from authorised hides.
The bottom line for Vaycay Couple readers
Terra Borza transforms Via Transilvanica from a trail you heard about into one you’ll want to lace up for this year. It offers a perfect blend of medieval lore, farm-to-fork cuisine and gentle Carpathian drama, wrapped in manageable daily stages ideal for adventurous duos. Bookend your hike with UNESCO Viscri and lively Brașov, and you’ll return home with sore calves, memory cards full of painted milestones, and a deeper sense of how Romania’s cultures braid together, kilometre after kilometre.
Happy trails—see you on the orange-and-white path of 2025!
