50 minutes from the cabin · a full day · the warm season, with special trips in winter
The Huțulca steam train leaves from Moldovița and climbs up the valley towards Argel, on a narrow-gauge railway once used to bring timber down from the mountains. The steam engine, the smoke, the whistle and the stops in the fields make it a special day out for families with children. From the cabin it is about 50 minutes by car.
What a day on the steam train is really like
The train ambles along, with stops, and the return journey takes a few hours. In summer, the carriages open at the sides let you see the valley, the wooden houses and the villagers who come out to their gates to wave. In winter, the carriages are closed and heated, but not very warm, so it is best to dress in layers. At the end of the line, the longer stop gives you time to stretch your legs, have something to eat and enjoy the surroundings before the journey back.
A tip from us: book your seats early, especially in the summer months and around the holidays, and arrive half an hour before departure.
What else to see the same day
Moldovița Monastery is a few minutes from the station. The church, from 1532, has the “Siege of Constantinople” on its south wall, a fresco children warm to easily, because it is full of ships, cannons and horsemen.
Also in Moldovița, it is worth stopping at the “Lucia Condrea” Egg Museum for the art of egg painting: painted eggs decorated by the artist Lucia Condrea, old eggs from the Hutsul villages of the area and eggs brought from all over the world.
If you still have energy, Sucevița is half an hour away, over the Ciumârna pass, where a viewpoint with a wonderful view over the hills of Bucovina awaits you.
With children, in short
Bring water, a blanket for the carriage if it is chilly and something to nibble. The open carriages are lovely, but can be cold in the morning. The toilets are at the station, not on the train.
The drive from the cabin can be part of the fun, too. If you have children with you, you can stop for a while in Moldovița and enjoy the beauty of the place at your own pace.
Frequently asked questions
From what age do children enjoy it?
From two or three, if they sit on your lap at departure. Children between four and ten enjoy it most.
How long does the whole trip take?
With the drive, the train and the monastery, a full day. Set off from the cabin in the morning.
Does it run in winter?
There are special trips at certain times, but not every day, so check before you go.
The whole house, for the whole family
Three bedrooms, sofa beds for older children and a yard with an orchard where they can run as much as they like. In the evening, the little ones fall asleep quickly, and the grown-ups stay up telling stories on the terrace. From 900 lei a night, the whole house, a single group.
