Șirnea – Mountains, Culture and Cycling Tours

Șirnea in the Piatra Craiului Mountains

Șirnea is considered a pastoral settlement at the foot of the Piatra Craiului Mountains and lies at an altitude of 1,244 metres. The place became known as Romania’s first tourist village; the impetus for this was provided by a tourism promotion project initiated by biology teacher Nicolae Frunteș. The foundations of the Muzeul Etnografic, Olimpic și de Artă Contemporană „Nicolae Frunteș” Șirnea were laid in 1965.

Nature and Culture

The La Chisatoare waterfall is located in the vicinity of Șirnea. The Biserica Poiana Mărului church is also located nearby. The peaks of Coltul Paltinisului, Galma Iorghii and Galma Sparturilor lie in the immediate vicinity of the village. Mânăstire Predeal Monastery is located in the wider regional surroundings of Șirnea. The Biserica Paltin and Biserica Şinca Nouă churches are also located in this wider regional area.

Trails and Cycling Tours

The Poarta Carpaților network includes Șirnea and comprises nine signposted ecotourism trails totalling approximately 100 kilometres. The Șirnea – Cheile Dambovicioarei – Valea Seaca a Pietrelor – Șirnea cycling loop runs from Șirnea to Cheile Dambovicioarei, continues to Valea Seaca a Pietrelor and then returns to Șirnea. It is considered generally easy and manageable for amateurs. The Fundata–Șirnea–Fundata cycling loop runs from Fundata to Șirnea and back to Fundata. It is considered relatively easy, is approximately 15 kilometres long each way and has a total elevation gain of 250 metres.

Classic mountain bikes can be rented in Șirnea every day. The rental period is from 09:00 to 20:00. Reservations should be made at least 24 hours in advance. Individual e-bike tours with an accompanying guide can also be organised on request.

For the Fundata–Șirnea–Fundata loop, the approximately 15 kilometres refers to one way; the total elevation gain of 250 metres applies to the entire loop. The description as relatively easy remains associated with these distance figures. The first cycling route is also designed as a loop: it begins in Șirnea, runs via Cheile Dambovicioarei and Valea Seaca a Pietrelor, and ends back in Șirnea.

Festivals and Regional Products

Focul lui Sumedru, also known as Focul de Sânmedru, takes place in Șirnea every year on the night of 25 to 26 October; locals and tourists take part.

The Măsura Laptelui celebration in Șirnea took place on 5 July 2026 in its 57th edition; at this edition, visitors were invited to sample Bulz, cheese, milk and other traditional products made by local residents.

Further Destinations

If you would like to visit other places in the shared overview in addition to Șirnea, you can find Victoria, Râşnov, Recea, Ghimbav, Petersberg, Predeal, Săcele and Sâmbăta De Sus here.

To the higher-level travel overview: Brasov.