winter in Romania
january & february | €1690pp | romania
ride wild in the winter
‘A magical winter adventure through the snow-covered Carpathian Mountains, combining beautiful riding, remote wilderness and the chance to discover signs of wolves, lynx and red deer along the way.’
Overview
The Romania Winter Ride is a week-long riding holiday in the heart of the Carpathian Mountains, based in the small village of Șinca Nouă at the foot of the Făgăraș Mountains. This is a beautiful part of Romania, where rolling hills and open meadows give way to vast forests and dramatic mountain peaks. In winter, the landscape takes on an entirely different character, with snow covering the mountains, forests and surrounding countryside and creating a peaceful setting for riding.
The Carpathians contain some of the largest areas of remaining wilderness in Central and Eastern Europe and are home to an incredible variety of wildlife, including wolves, lynx, bears and red deer. In winter, the snow makes it much easier to spot their tracks and other signs of their presence as you ride through the forests and across the open countryside. The period from mid-January to mid-February generally offers the most reliable snow cover, creating the possibility of riding through deep powder snow when conditions are right.
Your base for the week is a cosy guesthouse on the edge of Șinca Nouă, surrounded by the hills and meadows of the Transylvanian countryside. Away from the busier tourist areas, the village offers a glimpse into rural Romania, while the surrounding mountains provide a spectacular backdrop to the riding. With snowy forests, open mountain terrain and the chance to discover signs of some of Europe's most elusive wildlife, this is a winter riding holiday with a distinctly wild feel.
What you need to know
Horse riding in the Romanian snow
€1690pp
All meals, accommodation, transfers and riding included.
23 - 30 January, 30 January - 06 February, 06 - 13 February, 13 - 20 February, 20 - 27 February
8 days & 7 nights (6 days riding)
4 - 6 hours riding everyday
Riding through forests and over snow covered hills
Friendly and experienced guides
OVERVIEW
Dates: 23 - 30 January, 30 January - 06 February, 06 - 13 February, 13 - 20 February, 20 - 27 February
Price: €1690pp
Location: Romania
Operator: Equus Silvania
Riding level: Advanced
Max group size: 6
Time in the saddle: 4-6 hours a day
Horses: Mix of Hungarian breeds
Weight limit: 90kg
Currency: Romania Leu
Saddle type: English
Airport: Bucharest
Adventure level:
Need to know
Accommodation during the trip
All riding with a guide
Breakfast, lunch, dinner and beverages (non alcoholic)
Transfers to and from Bucharest airport
What’s included:
Riding hat which is required for this holiday.
Flights into and out of Romania
Accommodation outside of the trip
Tips / gratuities.
Travel & medical insurance
Alcoholic drinks
What’s excluded:
Food: Breakfast will be had at your inn / BNB everyday. Breakfast usually consists of an assortment of cereals, yogurts, fruit, fresh bread and some offer cooked breakfasts.
Lunch will packed lunches had along the way including things like sandwiches, wraps, fruit, snack bars.
Dinner will usually be in your hotel for the night or in local restaurants / inns. Most dinners will be hearty regional dishes with seasonal produce.
Dietary requirements can be accommodated.
Accommodation:
Accommodation is in charming, family run inns, B&Bs, hotels and country guest houses along the way. Rooms are single occupancy with a charge of £49 a night which is covered by Wild Mane. €150 single supplement
Accommodation and food
The horses at Free Rein are the highlight of the holiday. They are all calm, fit and forward going, with a mix of cob and cob crosses.
They live out all year round, working for 7 months and then enjoying a 5 month break during the winter months.
All the tack is professionally and personally fitted for the horses at Freerein and all the horses are ridden in snaffle bits.
Find out more about how the horses are cared for here.
Horses
What to pack:
Riding hat, gloves and comfortable riding shoes
Warm layers of clothing.
A warm waterproof jacket
Sunglasses
Sun cream
A water bottle
Bum bag
A charging adapter
A book for entertainment
Toiletries, towel, jodphurs etc
Camera gear
See our what to pack guide here for a full packing list.
Apply to join this ride:
Itinerary
-
Fly to Bucharest airport, where you will be picked up and transferred through the spectacular Carpathian mountains to the guesthouse in Șinca Nouă (ca. 4 hours). Receive a welcome drink upon arrival, a great dinner and spend the evening with your hosts to prepare for the week. It’s then time to head out into the hills en route to your B&B or inn for the evening. After finishing your first ride, you’ll untack, feed, groom and turn out your horse before enjoying dinner with the group.
-
For the first two days you ride 2-3 hours in the morning and 2-3 hours in the afternoon. In between, return to the guesthouse for a warm lunch and relax in front of the fireplace. Cantering through the snow is one of the most magical experiences on earth. (Please note snow cannot be guaranteed, although it is still very likely that there will be nice powder snow all throughout January and February). In the evenings there is time to relax with a home-made liqueur or brandy in front of the open fire, have a drink at the bar, or watch video presentations about the research and conservation projects of your hosts.
-
Today is a break from riding for you and your horse so you can experience the history of Transylvania. You’ll visit Bran Castle (the so-called Dracula Castle) and the old town of Brasov, which boasts one of the best-preserved medieval centres in Eastern Europe.
-
Again, head out for a morning and an afternoon ride through the hills, forests, and meadows of the surroundings of Șinca Nouă. It is very likely we come across tracks of wolves, lynx or red deer and with some luck, you may also see some of the forest inhabitants of the Carpathians. Evenings are spent in the cosy Equus Silvania guesthouse. If you wish, we may have the possibility of organising a trip with a horse-drawn sledge. It’s then time to head out into the hills en route to your B&B or inn for the evening.
-
After breakfast you will be brought back to Bucharest airport for your flights.
Apply to join this ride:
why riders love this ride
The chance to ride and canter in the snow
Well mannered and fresh Hungarian horses.
Time to learn about the history of the area as well as enjoying time riding
The chance to explore a part of Wales you might never have been to, especially if you live outside the UK.**************
this ride is right for you if:
You don’t mind riding in the cold ✔
You’d be excited to ride and canter in the snow ✔
You like riding fresh horses ✔
You like learning about the history of an area you stay in ✔
About romania
Romania is a country of dramatic landscapes, medieval villages and vast areas of unspoilt countryside. From the Carpathian Mountains and their dense forests to rolling farmland and traditional rural communities, much of the country still feels wonderfully wild and untouched. It’s also home to some of Europe’s most important populations of wolves, bears, lynx and red deer, making it a particularly special destination for anyone drawn to nature and wildlife.
Away from the better-known cities and tourist routes, rural Romania offers a slower pace of life and a strong connection to traditional ways of living. Horses remain an important part of countryside life in many areas, while small villages, wooden houses and mountain landscapes give the country a distinctly authentic character. For riders, it’s a chance to explore a part of Europe that feels a world away from the more familiar riding destinations.
Weather: what to expect
Romania has a continental climate, with warm summers and cold, snowy winters. Temperatures vary considerably throughout the year, with summer days often reaching around 25 - 30°C, while winter temperatures can fall below freezing, particularly in the Carpathian Mountains. Spring and autumn are generally mild and changeable, with cooler temperatures in the mountains. The Carpathians experience colder conditions and heavier snowfall than the rest of the country, making the winter months particularly well suited to snow-covered riding.
frequently asked questions
-
Will there definitely be snow?
Snow is not guaranteed, as conditions vary from year to year, but mid-January to mid-February generally offers the most reliable snow cover in the Carpathian Mountains. When conditions are right, you can expect beautiful snow-covered landscapes and the possibility of riding through fresh powder.
-
how cold is it?
Winter in the Carpathian Mountains can be cold, with temperatures often below freezing and conditions varying throughout the week. You’ll need to bring warm, waterproof clothing and be prepared for proper winter conditions while riding.
-
what wildlife might i see?
The Carpathians are home to wolves, lynx, bears and red deer, as well as many other species. Seeing the animals themselves is unlikely, but winter snow makes it much easier to spot tracks and other signs of wildlife as you ride through the forests and mountains.
-
What's the pace like?
The pace on this ride is quick and forward-going, with plenty of opportunities for faster riding when conditions allow. The horses are particularly fresh and energetic during the winter months, so you should be confident handling a responsive horse at speed and be comfortable with a lively pace in open countryside. The exact pace will depend on the snow and ground conditions, but this is not a slow or leisurely winter ride.
-
what's the riding like in winter?
The riding takes place through the hills, meadows and forests around Șinca Nouă, with the landscape transformed by snow during the winter months. Riding through fresh powder snow can be a particularly memorable experience, although the exact conditions and routes will depend on the weather.
-
what is the accommodation like?
The ride is based at a cosy guesthouse on the edge of Șinca Nouă, surrounded by rolling hills and meadows. It provides a comfortable and welcoming base to return to after a day riding in the winter landscape, with the quiet rural setting adding to the feeling of getting away from it all.
your guides
The team at Equus Silvania will be your hosts during your trip. They’ve been at the forefront of horse riding tourism in Romania for many years, with a passion for sharing the beautiful landscapes, culture and rural traditions of Transylvania.
Their team combines experienced guides with staff working behind the scenes to care for the horses and keep everything running smoothly. Their local knowledge allows them to create routes through forests, meadows and mountain landscapes, while their approach focuses on providing authentic experiences that connect guests with the surrounding countryside. They also place importance on responsible tourism and supporting the conservation of the Carpathian landscape, contributing to wider efforts to protect the forests and wildlife of the Făgăraș Mountains.
The horses are at the heart of the Equus Silvania experience and are an important part of what makes their rides so special. They are well suited to the varied terrain and, during the winter months, can be particularly fresh and forward-going. This makes them exciting partners for riders who enjoy a faster pace and are confident riding lively horses in open countryside.
.
How to book
Choose your ride
Submit the application form under ‘request to book’
Wait for us to confirm space with the operator (we aim to get back to you within 24hrs)
Pay your deposit (20%)
Full balance is due 65 days before departure
cancellation policy
Cancellation terms vary by operator and are specific to this ride.
Deposit is refundable
If you cancel more than 30 days in advance, you’ll receive a full refund
If you cancel between 15 - 30 in advance, you’ll receive a 50% refund
If you cancel less than 15 days before departure, no refund will be provided
why wild mane?
Curated, unforgettable & welfare focused riding holidays
Personal advice and human support from booking to your return home
Clear and transparent booking process with no hidden fees
We work directly with established operators, many who are family run