Reff & Associates | Deloitte Legal provided pro bono legal assistance to Tasuleasa Social Association in the process of certifying Via Transilvanica, the organization's flagship project, as a pedestrian trail of national interest for recreational purposes, the first trail to receive this designation in Romania. The assistance provided at this stage of the initiative is part of a broader mandate encompassing multiple phases of the project’s development.
The certification process took more than nine months and was completed in mid-June, 2026.
The official certification ensures the project’s long-term sustainability by establishing protection and maintenance obligations for the local authorities in the areas crossed by the route, while also introducing sanctions for the destruction of trail markings, obstruction of access, or damage to the related infrastructure.
As part of its long-standing pro bono commitment to the association, the Reff & Associates | Deloitte Legal team has advised on a wide range of matters, including development and legal recognition of long-distance trails of national interest and the design of Tasuleasa Social’s corporate governance structure. The team involved in this initiative included Andrei Burz-Pinzaru and Georgiana Singurel, Partners, Adrian Coman, Senior Managing Associate, Ovidiu Balaceanu and Silvia Axinescu, Counsels, and Alexandru Tinica, Senior Associate.
"By obtaining official recognition as a route of national interest, Via Transilvanica benefits from a legal framework designed to ensure its long-term sustainability through enhanced protection measures, while also enabling the expansion plans already announced by the representatives of the Tasuleasa Social Association. These developments deliver lasting benefits for both visitors seeking nature-based experiences and, in particular, for the communities along the route, by encouraging local entrepreneurship, safeguarding cultural heritage, and preserving local traditions. I am glad that, together with my colleagues, we had the opportunity to support this project right from its earliest "milestone" and contribute to its development. We remain open to new challenges that may arise along the path," said Andrei Burz-Pinzaru, Partner, Reff & Associates | Deloitte Legal.
"Via Transilvanica would not have reached this stage without the support of the people who believed in this vision and contributed their expertise to the development of an initiative that extends beyond our organization. We would like to thank the Reff & Associates | Deloitte Legal team for their support throughout this process and for the professionalism demonstrated in standing by our side. Together, we have contributed to establishing a legislative framework that not only safeguards Via Transilvanica but also paves the way for future long-distance trails in Romania. We hope this model will support the growth of leisurely tourism and creates new opportunities for communities across the country,” said Alin Useriu, President of the Tasuleasa Social Association and initiator of the Via Transilvanica project.
Via Transilvanica is Romania’s first pedestrian trail of national interest for recreational purposes and the country’s first long-distance path crossing Romania from Putna to Drobeta-Turnu Severin, being designed for hiking, cycling, and horseback riding. The project was developed by the Tasuleasa Social Association, an organization with over 26 years of experience in implementing educational, cultural, and environmental initiatives, and was officially inaugurated in 2022 following four and a half years of dedicated work. Known as “the path that unites”, Via Transilvanica contributes to the discovery of Romania’s culture, traditions and nature, crossing eight historical regions, 10 counties, and 12 UNESCO heritage sites.
Reff & Associates | Deloitte Legal is celebrating 20 years of activity in the Romanian market, during which it has steadily grown and consolidated its position in the business law, and its activity has expanded to 14 practice areas. With a team of 85 lawyers specialized in the main areas of practices of business law, the firm is recognized as a leading law firm in Romania for the quality of services and ability to deliver solutions on complex legal matters. The areas of practice include banking and finance, business integrity, capital markets, competition, consumer business and data protection, corporate, commercial and mergers and acquisitions, dispute resolution, employment, energy and environment, insolvency, intellectual property, legal management consulting, public sector and real estate, as well as tax controversy. The firm represents in Romania Deloitte Legal, a global network with more than 3,100 lawyers in 75+ countries.
For more information about Reff & Associates, please visit www.reff-associates.ro.
