“Manor Trail” Cycling and Hiking Route

The “Manor Trail” cycling and hiking route is a moderately difficult, 24 km itinerary that winds scenically along the Răut River through Pohorniceni, Piatra, Jeloboc, Furceni, Brănești and Ivancea, offering travellers a fascinating journey through the history of the region’s manor houses and its remarkable natural landscapes.

Designed to connect cultural values with environmental conservation, the “Manor Trail” begins in Pohorniceni village and follows the meanders of the Răut River. Along the way, hikers and cyclists can admire Mîgla Rock, the Furceni viewpoint and Jeloboc Spring. The main attractions are the Lazo Family Manor in Piatra and the Balioz Manor in Ivancea.

Route Information
Itinerary — Pohorniceni – Piatra – Jeloboc – Furceni – Brănești – Ivancea
Distance — 24 km
Estimated walking time — approximately 8 hours and 15 minutes
Difficulty — moderate
Rest areas — the Lazo Family Manor in Piatra, rest stops along the Răut near Jeloboc and Furceni, and guesthouses in Brănești.
Open the interactive route mapAttractions Along the Route
1. Pohorniceni, the Stone Bridge
The starting point of the “Manor Trail” cycling and hiking route.

View on map2. Mîgla Rock (Pohorniceni Viewpoint)
Mîgla Rock is a geological and palaeontological natural monument located approximately 0.5 km north-west of Piatra village, on the left bank of the Răut River. The protected area covers 3 hectares. The outcrop exposes fossil-bearing limestone deposited around 12–13 million years ago, when the region was covered by the Paratethys Sea. Fossils of bivalves, gastropods and bryozoans can be found in the limestone layers.

View on map 3. Răut Reef (Pohorniceni Reef)
Răut Reef, also known as Pohorniceni Reef, is a natural monument of geological and palaeontological importance on the right bank of the Răut River, approximately 1 km from Pohorniceni village, opposite Piatra village. The reef formed around 12–13 million years ago on the floor of the Paratethys Sea. It consists of reef limestone rich in fossils of foraminifera, bryozoans and molluscs.

View on map4. The Lazo Family Manor
Located in Piatra village, the Lazo Family Manor was built between 1862 and 1865 by Ioan and Matilda Lazo. It is a state-protected architectural and historical monument of national importance. After the Second World War, the building was used as a school, and in 1974 it became a memorial museum. The manor is administered by the National Museum of History of Moldova and reopened to the public on 2 December 2018 following restoration and conservation work.

View on map 5. The Abandoned Hydroelectric Power Station in Piatra — “The Temple of Demeter”
Piatra village is documented in records dating from 1437–1438 and lies on the left bank of the Răut River, at Vadul Pietrei. Built between 1954 and 1956, the hydroelectric power station supplied the surrounding settlements. It is believed to have ceased operating in the 1960s or 1970s. Its stone walls, massive columns and arched openings give the building the appearance of an ancient temple. The building is in an advanced state of deterioration.

View on map 6. Jeloboc Village
Jeloboc village was first mentioned in written records in 1774. Here, the Răut River changes direction twice, forming a gorge between limestone reef formations known as toltre. Jeloboc Spring, a hydrological natural monument known for its steady flow and clear water, lies on a rocky hill approximately 50 metres from the riverbank.

View on map 7. Furceni Village
Furceni is an old village of răzeși, free landholding peasants, mentioned in a document dated 2 July 1502 and signed by Stephen the Great. Nearby are the gorge of the Drăghinici, a tributary of the Răut, and Furceni-Selitra, a fortified Getic settlement dating from the 4th–3rd centuries BC. Archaeological discoveries include remains of the Sîntana de Mureș–Chernyakhov culture and medieval settlements.

View on map 8. Furceni Viewpoint
The rocky ridge offers views of Furceni village, the gorge carved by the Răut River and the steep limestone cliffs. The toltre overlooking the valley are reef formations left by prehistoric seas.

View on map 9. Brănești Village
Brănești lies 4 km from Ivancea, in the floodplain of the Moța stream. The stream disappears into a karst cavity and re-emerges before flowing into the Răut. Traditional houses in the village retain carved “stone flowers”, decorated columns and old chimneys. Brănești is documented in a record dated 10 February 1429, and archaeological excavations have identified traces of a medieval settlement.

View on map 10. Brănești Winery and the “Epoca de Piatră” Restaurant
Brănești Winery occupies underground galleries excavated in limestone, reaching depths of up to 60 metres and extending for 58 kilometres. The constant temperature of 12–14°C provides favourable conditions for wine maturation. The former limestone mines also house the “Epoca de Piatră” complex, with a restaurant and underground accommodation.

View on map 11. Ivancea Village
Surrounded by forests, vineyards and orchards, Ivancea village has a community of Ukrainian origin. Archaeological research indicates settlements dating back to the Chalcolithic period, while the village is documented in records from 1501. Its history is linked to the Donici, Russo and Balioz families. In 1817, Ivancea had 65 households and three mills.

View on map 12. The Balioz Manor and Park in Ivancea
The manor was built between 1852 and 1873 at the initiative of the merchant Carabet Arachelian Balioz. Constructed from local limestone, the building combines Western European style with elements of Russian classicism. The estate includes a dendrological park, a water tower and outbuildings. During the Soviet and post-Soviet periods, the complex housed the Museum of Folk Crafts of Moldova.

View on map 13. Holy Trinity Church and the Balioz Family Vault in Ivancea
Holy Trinity Church and the Balioz family vault form a cultural and historical heritage ensemble in Ivancea village. The church preserves elements of Bessarabian Orthodox religious architecture. Dating from the late 19th or early 20th century, the vault preserves the memory of the Balioz family and their Ivancea estate.

View on map This route was developed by the National Tourism Office under the auspices of the Ministry of Economic Development and Digitalisation of the Republic of Moldova as part of the “EkoApp for Sustainable Tourism in Moldova” project, implemented with the strategic support of the HumanDoc Foundation and co-financed through the development cooperation programme of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland.