Transfagarasan Road Trip in Romania
Driving in Romania is an adventure in itself.
Navigating through five-lane roundabouts, dodging livestock, and parking on the sidewalk are just some of the many things one can experience while driving in this beautiful country.
It can be intimidating at first but it’s totally worth it. By car, you get to explore so many places that you wouldn’t have otherwise had the chance to visit.
If you feel a little intimidated to be driving in Romania (hi, it’s me), then you can check out one of the many Transfagarasan Highway tours led by a local guide, like this one from Bucharest or this one from Brasov that includes Balea Lake!
Often considered one of the most beautiful roads in the world, the Transfagarasan Highway in Romania is not for the faint of heart. The road passes through the Fagaras Mountain range and climbs to a staggering 2,034 meters in altitude.
Although it certainly offers a series of amazing views, this winding road is full of sharp hairpin turns, long curves and steep descents. It can be a serious challenge for hikers and drivers alike.
You can easily spend an entire day driving along the Transfagarasan. Although the road is only Even though the road is only 90km in length, there are plenty of photo opportunities and places to stop along the way. Even this guided tour from Brasov takes 8 hours!
When entering from the northern side of the road, you begin an ascent through forested valleys and every so often, you will catch a glimpse of the jagged mountain peaks above. Once you are past the tree line, you are granted with picturesque views of the road passing through the mountain.
At the top of the highway, you’ll find Balea Lake, a beautiful glacial lake with crystal clear waters (even on foggy afternoons). You can go for a hike into the mountains, purchase local artisan products, or simply stand in front of the lake to take a photo, even though it’s freezing cold outside.
As you descend from Balea Lake, you pass through the most popular attractions on the road. Not only can you see Poienari Fortress, the castle that served as Vlad the Impaler’s residence, but you also drive along Vidaru lake and pass through the famous dam.
We heavily underestimated the amount of time it would take us to drive the Transfagarasan and as such, we were unable to stop for photos at most of these places.
