Transfăgărășan & Transalpina

4 days · 3 driving roads · 188 miles of them · best July–September

Romania's two great mountain roads, both built for reasons that had nothing to do with driving pleasure. The Transfăgărășan switchbacks to 2,042 metres past Bâlea Lake; the Transalpina runs higher still along the ridge. The Bicaz Gorge threads a limestone canyon barely wider than the car.

Getting there

⛴ Eurotunnel Le Shuttle — Eurotunnel, about 36 min, up to 4/hour. Check sailings.

Worth knowing: Both roads open roughly July to October and close hard outside that — the Transfăgărășan's high section is gated. It's a long drive out; most people fly and hire, but the crossing is there if you're taking your own car.

The roads, in order

1. Transfăgărășan DN7C · Cârțișoara → Curtea de Argeș · 71 mi · 2 h 30 min ⚠ High section closed roughly Oct–Jun (snow) ⛽ Lukoil Cârțișoara · 📷 Cabana Bâlea Cascadă · 🍽️ Cabana Bâlea Lac · 📷 Barajul Vidraru · 📷 Cetatea Poenari
2. Transalpina Pass DN67C · Novaci → Sebeș · 92 mi · 3–4 h ⚠ High section closed roughly Nov–May (snow) ⛽ Socar Novaci · 🍽️ Taverna Olteanului, Rânca · 📷 Pasul Urdele · 🍽️ Stâna Ștefanu · ⛽ Rompetrol Șugag
3. Bicaz Gorge DN12C · Gheorgheni → Bicaz · 25 mi · 1 h ⚠ Rockfall nets overhead — heed closures ⛽ MOL Gheorgheni · 📷 Lacul Roșu · 📷 Cheile Bicazului · 🍽️ Păstrăvăria Cheița · ⛽ Petrom Bicaz

Drive it

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