Rimetea MTB Green 40 km (ADE 260) Rimetea - Dealu Rosu - Podeni - Poiana Aiudului - Cetatea Trascaului - Rimetea

*** July 2022. Route length: 40 km. Offroad / gravel road: 26 km; asphalt / concrete slabs: 14 km

*** description, map & photos by FB page "Green trails MTB outdoor-fun"

*** Duration: 7h in my case, moderate pace; this duration included enough breaks to admire the landscapes, take photos, visit some points of interest along the route, and have a sandwich break. Bike type: MTB XC hardtail (not an e-bike). The photos were taken on the uploaded route but may belong to different periods/seasons.

*** My favorites: --- the trail on Dealu Rosu with views towards Piatra Secuiului and the high hills in the distance, between km 7 - 10; the country road winding through hills between Podeni and Rachis - between km 12.6 - 14.7; the stunning views from the Trascaului Fortress at km 32.6; the walk through the charming village of Rimetea between km 0 - 0.5 and 38.3 - 39.9; the excursion on the country road and grassy area at the foot of Piatra Secuiului between km 0.9 - 2.8

*** On the route: Unitarian church in Rimetea (km 0); Trascaului Fortress in Coltesti (km 32.6); Reformed church in Coltesti (km 35); Unitarian church in Coltesti (km 35.1)

I started the tour in the charming village of Rimetea and after a few hundred meters on a gravel road I followed the country road, dirt – which on some sections was also beautifully grassy – winding at the foot of Piatra Secuiului for about 2.5 km. From the village of Coltesti I continued on the country road leading to Dealu Rosu (about 600 meters through forest) with a demanding climb between km 5.8 - 7 during which I also had to push the bike, followed by a nice descent of about 4 km down to the village of Podeni.

Next comes the road on the hills leading to the village of Rachis – a succession of climbs and descents (contains two steeper climbs of about 450 and 750 meters), with a short asphalt section before entering the village, followed by a country and forest road – mainly through forest – towards the village of Poiana Aiudului. From km 22.4 the road continues on asphalt for 8.3 km to the village of Coltesti, passing through the Valisoara Gorges – with views of the imposing rock formations Coltul Diacului and Coltul Cetatii and through the beautiful village of Valisoara. In the village of Coltesti I climbed (about 300 meters pushing the bike) up to the ruins of the Trascaului Fortress from where stunning views opened in all directions – with the village in the valley and the high hills in the distance. After descending the hill and a stretch on asphalt I enjoyed another walk through this very lovely village – Rimetea, then I reached the place where I started the bike trip.

*** For the part of the tour that takes place on asphalt – I found, in most situations, solutions to avoid heavy traffic – either using sections next to the road (for example extra space next to the traffic lane, green areas; or bike lanes where they existed), or streets with less traffic – which for me was safe enough.

Have fun :)