Where the bears are — what to know before you go looking

By Matei · 12 April 2026 · 6 min read

Romania has more brown bears than any country in Europe. Most guests will never see one. The few who do had a guide who knew the slope.

There are about 6,000 brown bears in Romania, roughly half of Europe's population. Most live in the Carpathians, with a strong concentration in the Brașov–Zărnești–Bran triangle. The probability of seeing one on a casual hike is small, the probability on an organised hide with a guide is around eighty percent, and the probability in the wrong supermarket parking lot at the wrong moment is — sadly — also not zero. We take guests to two hides we trust. We do not feed bears, support feeding, or recommend anyone who does.

The Transfăgărășan Is Open Again — 2026

As of 12 June 2026, the legendary DN 7C is open daily between 07:00 and 21:00 on the Bâlea Cascadă – Piscul Negru section — and that means it is time to start planning your Carpathian adventure.

11 July 2026 · 7 min read

What a ski week in the Carpathians really costs

We priced the same family ski week twice — once in the Alps, once above Brașov. The difference pays for the flights, the ski school, and most of the food.

11 July 2026 · 6 min read

Snow reliability in the Carpathians: where winter actually delivers

Altitude beats latitude, snowmaking beats hope, and January beats everything. A practical guide to picking the resort where your week will not melt.