Have you ever heard of the most beautiful mountain pass road in the world? The Transfăgărășan, also known as the “Transfăgărășan Highway,” is said to deserve this title. Why? We will explain it to you in this article.
The Transfăgărășan is a mountain pass road that leads over the mountains and is the second-highest road in Romania. It is also called the “Snake Road” or “the Great Dragon” and is probably one of the most beautiful mountain roads in the entire world. Officially, the road is named DN 07 (National Road 07).
The Transfăgărășan connects the great Walachia, located south of the Carpathian Arc, with the northern region of Transylvania. From the small town of Curtea de Argeș in the south to Cârțișoara in the north.
Although it is mostly known that the road is about 90 km long, the actual length is 150 km. The 90 km refers to the section with the stunning views and winding roads through the mountains. It takes about 3 hours to drive, depending on your speed. The highest point of the route is at 2,042 meters, and not only the height and length of the road remind one of a roller coaster. The more than 800 bridges and viaducts bring several challenges, and there are also tunnels, after which a new view awaits you each time. Especially exciting are the tight hairpin turns. With a gradient of up to 8.6 percent, you should already have some driving experience. Then the varied and challenging sections of the road are really fun!
If you want to include a hike, the highest point of the road is an ideal destination. The glacial lake Bâlea. The lake is a popular destination for various hikes and is also a perfect place for a break. The incredibly beautiful diversity of nature can hardly be absorbed enough while driving, and to take time for it, a hike is optimal.
If you need accommodation, there are some hotels along the pass road. Many of them are hard to reach, but a few are located directly on the road. Since there are many bears in the area, you might receive a message warning you not to leave your hotel room. During the drive, you might also be lucky enough to spot a bear. However, caution is advised! Do not approach the bears, but stay safely in your car. This is their natural habitat, and it’s clear that they defend it. Treat nature and the animals with respect.
Due to the attention it has gained, not least from its feature on the “Top Gear” show, the Transfăgărășan Highway has become quite popular. However, this also means that it gets very crowded, especially around midday, so you will need to get up early if you don’t want to stick to the bumper of the car in front of you.
In the summer, temperatures range from 15 to 25°C. However, it can also rain and storm suddenly, as the weather there is quite unpredictable. In winter, the road is impassable due to heavy snow, and temperatures often fall below -10°C. Due to the long winter, the road can only be driven for about four months of the year. From July 1st to October 31st. The snow does not melt, even though the pass is “only” at an altitude of 2,000 meters. This also has advantages, as there are ski slopes open until the summer months. Another highlight is the first ice hotel in Europe. The longest ski slope is 10 km long. Even in winter, you can visit the glacial lake—though not by car, but by cable car.
In addition to the views, there are also a few sights to visit. One of the attractions is, for example, Poenari Castle (Cetatea Poenari) in Arefu. This is also known as the castle where Dracula is said to have lived.
If you don’t want to miss a breathtaking view of the glacial lake, waterfalls, and the Făgăraș Mountains, you should definitely pay a visit to this road. The exciting, challenging roads and new views around every corner are also worth it! Don’t forget to capture your memories with photos and fully enjoy the nature around you! However, we would advise driving the road outside of peak hours to be able to visit hotspots, such as the lake, in peace. It’s best to leave early in the morning and return in the early afternoon to avoid long traffic jams and crowds.
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