FROM THE HUNGARIAN STEPPE TO THE TRANSILVANIAN MOUNTAINS
We would like to describe our latest tours, which goes across the national border of Hungary! You can visit completely different regions in two countries in one week. We mount our horses in the spacious meadows in the Great Hungarian Plain and sit in the saddles of our Akhal horses, and then continue our gallop in the mountain plains of Transylvania, literally without borders. What we offer is our 3-day Turul Wings tour and the 3-day Bear Footsteps tour in Transylvania.
Hungarian Steppe – Transylvanian Mountains
Date:
24 September – 2 October 2026 (Wings of Turul trail ride + The bear’s path trail ride)
HORSES AND SADDLES:
On our riding tours, you can explore the landscapes we pass through riding the ‘horse of the conquest,’ the legendary Akhal-Teke. This is the breed intertwined with our history and famous for its unique comfort.
Not only are the horses special, but the saddles are too: custom-made Hungarian-style saddles, updated to meet today’s riding technique demands and suited to the horses. They are exceptionally safe and comfortable, and have proven very effective during tours over the past few years.
For those interested in the Akhal Teke breed or our saddles, this tour, or even a shortened version of it, provides a good opportunity to try them out and get acquainted with them.
For the horse riding tour, it is absolutely necessary that the rider can maintain stability in the lighter gaits and positions (posting trot, light canter, continuous posting)!
The horseback tour is a star tour; we return to the Yurt Camp every day from where we started from.
By agreement, it is possible to join for a few days as well!
Hungary: Wings of Turul trail ride
Discover Hungary on horseback and get acquainted with the magnificent Akhal Teke horses and their versatile capabilities. This hike will also allow you to immerse yourself in the heart of Hungarian culture while enjoying traditional accommodation in yurts. You will also discover Hungarian landscapes that will fascinate you: from the Tisza River to the magical Süli Forest. Not only the horses, but also our saddles are special: They are handcrafted by the Cseppentő family, modernized for today’s riding needs and horses. They are extremely safe and comfortable, proven to be extremely usable during the tours of recent years. We ride about 20-30 km/day, but of course there are different programmes each day.
Tour programme
Day 1. Sunday: Visit the Akhal Teke stud and view the monumental panorama painted by Árpád Feszty.
7:00-8:30 am: Breakfast
9:00-10:00 am: Warm-up exercises in the equestrian centre, formation of appropriate horse-rider pairs.
10:00 am-12:00 pm: Trail riding exercises, formation of appropriate riding pairs, then visiting the Akhal Teke Stud on horseback. The Cseppentő family has always considered the Akhal Teke breed as a type of work horse, and not a breed performing at equestrian shows. Carefully selected individuals remained in breeding, and it was not the quantity but the quality that they strived for. In addition to the purebred stud core, the stud of 75 horses includes Akhals with a high-blood rate, with which, in addition to tourism, they also perform successfully in competitions, especially in three-day events discipline.
12:00-1 pm: lunch at the Yurt camp.
1:30-3:30 pm: riding across the pond, then touring in a nearby forest in pristine nature.
4:30-5 pm: Viewing the monumental panorama painting depicting the arrival of the Hungarians painted by Árpád Feszty in the Ópusztaszer National Historical Memorial Park
6-7 pm: dinner at the yurt accomodation
The Akhal Teke is the noblest and most famous breed of horse in Central Asia. It was a significant part of the horse stock of the nomadic peoples of the steppes, including the early Hungarians. These horses have been used since ancient times. It is also mentioned in 1st century Chinese chronicles that in Central Asia, wonderful, “blood-sweating heavenly horses” were bred. This specimens of breed are enduring, tough, very fast horses. Their exceptional performance was developed in harsh Asian conditions. A true Turkmen breed, a direct descendant of the former Turkish horse whose history goes back almost 3000 years. The Ashgabat-Moscow long-distance riding of 4,300 kilometres made them world famous. The Chinese launched entire expedition to acquire these “heavenly” horses without success.
Day 2. Monday: riding through the magical Süli Forest and have a rest at the Tisza River /Ányási Bend/
7:00-8:30 am: Breakfast
9:00-10:00 am: warm-up exercises and departure
10:00 am-12:00 pm: riding through the Süli forest: 100-150-year-old oaks line our way in the forest. There are old trees here from the time before the regulation of the Tisza River, which was 120 years ago. 10 years ago the forest, provided a venue for school programmes, walking tours and running competitions. These days it is rich in birds and wildlife, a habitat for owls, ravens and roe deer as well as, rabbits. Even meadow eagles nest in it temporarily.
12:00-1 pm: lunch in the shade of the 100-year-old ash tree.
2-4 pm: after riding in saline terrain, our journey continues to the Ányás bend, which stretches along the banks of the Tisza River, where you can hear the rustling of the leaves on the tall poplar trees and the singing of birds. You can have a little insight into the Tisza flora, including mushrooms and floodplain plaints.
6-7 pm: dinner at the yurt camp.
Every day there are opportunities for enternainment after riding: the guests can take a cooling shower, walk in the pasture to see the Akhal stud, or even meditate, relax inside the yurts, or in the nature. There is a labyrinth called “star path” 1 kilometre from the equestrian centre that you can visit if you are not tired to discover something new in the neighbourhood.
Day 3. Tuesday: visit to the Hungarian grey cattle herd and to the monumental statues that form the 7 arrows of our ancestors.
7.00-8.30 am: breakfast
9.00-10.00 am: warm-up riding exercise, then riding to the grey cattle herd.
The cattle herd pasture is located in a 1,200 ha landscape conservation area, with a good view of its special and protected fauna, free-grazing water buffaloes, colourful bird population and the vast, long-streching horizon of the untouched wilderness. During the trip, you will see Hungarian grey cattle and small calves as well as other breeds of cattle started by bulls of different breeds. The landscape is an authentic great steppe.
12.00-1 pm: picnic lunch at the cattle herd
2-4 pm: the riders visit one of the sights of Ópusztaszer, the great monument depicting the Arrows of the Seven Chiftains, then find shelter from the strong sunlight and continue riding on forest path.
“According to a royal scribe in the 13th century known today as “Anonymous”, the conquering Hungarians reached the Körtvély tó, and after spending 34 days at the Gyümölcsény forest, Árpád, the Chief of all the Chieftains and his nobles attended an assembly, where they laid down the laws of the country-in Hungarian it is expressed as “szerét ejtették”. To commemorate this assembly, the place was named Szer.” A blood contract is related to this event, wich was performed according to Hungarian tradition, and which was the first basic law (constitution) to form the Hungarian nation.
6-7 pm: farewell dinner
Presentation of the legend of Hunor and Magor, one of the most important legends of the establishment of Hungarian people. The story of the Magical Deer. A toast to shared experiences so far.
Day 4. Wednesday: Transfer to Transylvania
7.00-8.30 am breakfast
9.00 am – 12.00 pm travel: We cross the border between Hungary and Romania by car and enter Transylvania. After visiting Nagyszalonta and enjoying a delicious lunch, the journey continues all the way to Padiș.
Nagyszalonta is the birthplace of János Arany, a famous Hungarian poet (1817-1882). Today, the town is located in Romania, in the Partium region, but in Arany’s time, it was part of historical Hungary. During the Ottoman occupation, Nagyszalonta was developed into a significant fortress. The lives of its people are reflected in many of Arany’s works (e.g., The Lost Constitution and Toldi).
The most historically significant attraction in Nagyszalonta is the János Arany Memorial Museum, housed in the Csonkatorony (Truncated Tower), a building of unique architectural value that was part of the old Nagyszalonta castle.
In the town centre you can see the statue of János Arany, which commemorates the poet.
The bear’s path trail ride
Join us on a breath-taking trail ride in the Bihar mountains, part of Apuseni mountains situated in western Transylvania. This region is a part of the Carpathian Mountains .The scenic view, the rich biodiversity and the great wilderness, yet untouched by human civilization, is home to great adventures and unforgettable experiences. Our aim is to guide all adventure lovers to a ’once in a lifetime’ opportunity to plunge into the picturesque beauty that the mountain offers. The Bihar mountain is home to many species of mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles and fish. It is not uncommon to even see large predators like bears. These mountains have a strong fragmentation on a complicated assembly of calcareous rocks, sandstones that makes the trail even more challenging. Our single base trail ride always starts from Padis (marked with a red star on the map), and we approach the mountain from a different angle every day.
4pm: Arrival at Padiș
5 pm: Accommodation
7pm: Dinner: Campfire, conversation, getting to know each other, introduction
Day 5. Thursday:
Breakfast 8:00 – 9:00 am. Departure at 10:00 am: This day we will take the most difficult and at the same time the longest route of the three-day trip. Starting from Padis, our first stop will be at Lake Varasoaia, then crossing the Voiosu ridge, we will reach the Britei peak. Picnic lunch at 1pm On the way back, we will stop at Piatra Arsa, also known as the Burned Stone. As a surprise of the day, we will visit the Padis Cave on the way back to Padis. Today we will cover a 25 km route, with the highest peak of the mountain being 1759 m. Since this is basically a very rocky area, we will need to mount and dismount our horses multiple times. This means that such physical endurance will be required! Dinner – 7 pm. Evening relaxation program: sauna, pool, conversation by the campfire about the day’s experiences. Accommodation in double wooden cabins, each with a separate bathroom.
Day 6, Friday:
Breakfast 8:00 – 9:00 am. Departure at 10:00 am: Day 2 is of medium difficulty and medium length, 18 km. Starting from Padis, our path will cross a shepherd camp, followed by a steep climb, after which endless meadows will brighten our day, allowing for long gallops. A very old shepherd village awaits us along the way, offering a chance to wander around a bit and visit the village’s famous wooden church. Picnic – lunch at 1 pm On the way back, we will stop at the Batrana Cave, and then endless meadows will lead us back to Padis. Dinner – 7 pm – Evening relaxation program: sauna, pool, and conversations around the campfire about the day’s experiences.
Day 7, Saturday:
Breakfast 8:00 – 9:00 am. Departure at 10:00 am: Setting up equipment and then departure. The 3rd day is the easiest of all routes, with long, beautiful gallops and picturesque views as we ride starting from Padis. Passing through the Padis meadow, we reach Glavo Valley. There will be a short stop at Ponor Meadow, then we dismount and walk to a beautiful waterfall at Izbucul Ponor, followed by a visit to some natural whirlpools. Picnic lunch at 1 pm. On the way back to Padis, our route passes through numerous wonderful meadows and forests. Dinner – at 7 pm – Evening relaxation program: sauna, pool, conversation by the campfire about the day’s experiences.
Day 8. Sunday: Departure to the airport with the team
Airport transfer recommendation: Cluj-Napoca -> Budapest: https://aeroexpress-regional.hu There are flights operated by Wizzair from: Cluj-Napoca -> Vienna, Brussels Charleroi, Paris (Beauvais), Lyon, Nice, Corfu, Zakynthos, Eindhoven, Tel Aviv, Malta, Dubai, London, Birmingham, Liverpool, Berlin Brandenburg, Dortmund, Frankfurt Hahn, Memmingen/West Munich, Nuremberg, Bari, Bologna, Catania, Milan, Milan Bergamo, Naples, Rome, Rome Ciampino, Rome Fiumicino, Venice, Alicante, Barcelona El Prat, Madrid, Malaga, Palma de Mallorca, Valencia, Zaragoza, Basel–Mulhouse–Freiburg, Malmö, Antalya
