Cycling – Targu Jiu to Hateg

A very long ascent over 2,000ft and 44 miles. Through a national park. Alongside a river. Past a monastery. Throught the town that the dinosaurs forgot. Around a bluff. Down a hill. Then to my home for the night!

Most of it next to a railway, so the odd train passing beside. On a track that ranged from antiquated to newly renovated.

As a cycle route, it was pretty enjoyable. Not as challenging and remote as the Transfagarasan, but then it wasn’t as difficult, and there weren’t bears around every corner.

Hateg

This Hateg is a bit like an alpine village. Instead of wooden challets, it has old Soviet multistorey housing. That’s where I’m staying, ground floor. The apartment is really comfortable. There’s even some chocolate and champagne in the fridge! Which you have to pay for, unfortunately.

Instead, I went to the supermarket. It has everything. Walking down there I could appreciate how high in the hills we still are. The air is very fresh.

It really is a nice spot.

I’m so glad I got it of Targu Jiu which I felt was a complete dump.

Cycling to Timmasora

The plan today is to move down to Timmasora. Similar to Brasov, this is a town with much ancient architecture. It has the most historical buildings in the whole of Romania.

I’ll be spending 2 days there. It’s 104 miles from here, so, a long day on the bike. I’ll need the rest, and that seems a bit like the place to have one.

Unfortunately, I won’t be sharing many photos as my phone is shagged.

Trip details