Arad - Siria - Ineu - Moneasa

Our riding loop from Arad to Siria to Ineu to Sebis and finally Moneasa was simply breathtaking, glimpsing of life in Romania in the villages, working of the farmlands, and life returning to the once state-owned vineyards.

Siria has become a favorite hiking spot for us with every visit to Romania. The ruins of the Siria fortress are popular for summer picnics on the hillside and offer spectacular views of the plains, with vineyards dotting the hillsides.

Entering the town of Ineu, we were greeted by the impressive Delphi facility. Ineu was once home to one of Romania’s infamous orphanages.

In the resort town of Moneasa, my husband insisted on exploring a bit offroad. We took a dirt road about 6 miles up the side of the mountain and met a lumber tractor and handful of workers repairing the road. At the sight of the motorcycle, the workers stopped from their work with amused expressions—were we really going to attempt to cross the soft, unstable, fresh pile of sand they had just laid across? Their comment with a smile was Drum Bun (Bon Voyage – literally "Good Road")

After our efforts, we were greeted with expansive, mountain views and the sound of the wind through the pines. We could see in the far distance an old minibus parked by a shepherd tending his sheep. The area is also active with rock and marble quarrying as well as logging. The downhill ride proved pleasant with the afternoon sunlight gently streaming through the trees.

We found it hard to imagine a better way to spend a weekday! It was a memorable journey exploring the Codru-Moma Mountains, and we hope to enjoy a few more. As they say with the Kentucky lottery, “Somebody’s gonna win, might as well be you!” Well, we say—Somebody’s gotta do this job, might as well be us! – BGR & HSR