Via Transilvanica hiker compares Romanian route to Camino de Santiago

Hiker Roxy Chiriac has shared a viral comparison between the Via Transilvanica in Romania and the Camino de Santiago in Europe, noting that the two long-distance routes offer vastly different experiences.

Chiriac, who completed approximately 350 kilometers on the Via Transilvanica and 1,300 kilometers across the French and Portuguese Camino routes, stated that the Via Transilvanica proved to be much more difficult. She highlighted that while both are long-distance journeys, they are “total opposites.”

A primary distinction lies in infrastructure and social environment. The Camino de Santiago is characterized by a well-established network of villages, shops, bars, and accommodations, fostering an international community of hikers. In contrast, Chiriac described the Via Transilvanica as more wild and solitary, noting that travelers may walk for hours without encountering another person and must be prepared to embrace solitude.