Romania has two of the finest mountain roads in the world. The Transfagarasan was called the world's greatest road by Top Gear in 2009. The Transalpina reaches 2,145m — the highest paved road in Romania — on an ancient Roman route. Both are extraordinary. Both are closed by snow for much of the year. Here is everything you need to know to choose — or ideally, to drive both.
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The Transfagarasan: The One You Already Know
The Transfagarasan was built by Nicolae Ceausescu between 1970 and 1974 as a strategic military route across the Fagaras mountains. The result — unintentionally — is 145 kilometres of hairpin bends, tunnels, viaducts and high alpine scenery rising to a summit at 2,042m before descending through a completely different landscape on the other side.
The southern approach from Curtea de Arges climbs through beech forest. Above the treeline, the road becomes the thing you have seen in photographs — white serpentines on a green mountainside, the same shot from above that every article about Romanian roads uses.
The southern approach from Curtea de Arges climbs through beech forest. Above the treeline, the road becomes the thing you have seen in photographs — white serpentines on a green mountainside, the same shot from above that every article about Romanian roads uses.
The Transfagarasan: What You Actually Experience
Balea Lake at 2,034m is the summit. A glacial lake in a bowl of mountains, with a cable car running year-round and a restaurant open in summer. The view back down the southern serpentines from Balea is one of the great views in Central Europe.
The descent to Sibiu on the northern side is through a completely different landscape — gentler, greener, with the Olt valley below and the Saxon foothills ahead. The contrast between the two sides is one of the road's great pleasures.
Open: Typically mid-June to late October. Exact dates depend on snowfall each year.
The descent to Sibiu on the northern side is through a completely different landscape — gentler, greener, with the Olt valley below and the Saxon foothills ahead. The contrast between the two sides is one of the road's great pleasures.
Open: Typically mid-June to late October. Exact dates depend on snowfall each year.
The Transalpina: The One You Have Not Heard Of
The Transalpina follows a Roman road along the Parang mountains in south-western Romania, reaching 2,145m at its summit — 103m higher than the Transfagarasan. It is less famous because it is harder to photograph from a single spectacular viewpoint — the road hugs the ridge for much of its length, giving a 360-degree panorama rather than a photogenic hairpin bend.
The Transalpina is quieter than the Transfagarasan even in peak summer. The road surface has been improved significantly in recent years. Sheep and cattle frequently cross — this is not an obstacle, it is part of the experience.
The Transalpina is quieter than the Transfagarasan even in peak summer. The road surface has been improved significantly in recent years. Sheep and cattle frequently cross — this is not an obstacle, it is part of the experience.
Which Should You Drive?
If you have one day: The Transfagarasan. The photographic drama, the Balea Lake experience and the contrast between the two sides make it the more complete single-day journey.
If you have two days: Both. They are in different mountain ranges and complement each other perfectly. The Transfagarasan on day one, Transalpina on day two, finishing in Sibiu.
If you are a driver rather than a passenger: The Transalpina. The more consistent high altitude, the lighter traffic and the ridge-driving experience are deeply satisfying. The Transfagarasan can feel pressured on busy summer weekends.
If you have two days: Both. They are in different mountain ranges and complement each other perfectly. The Transfagarasan on day one, Transalpina on day two, finishing in Sibiu.
If you are a driver rather than a passenger: The Transalpina. The more consistent high altitude, the lighter traffic and the ridge-driving experience are deeply satisfying. The Transfagarasan can feel pressured on busy summer weekends.
Adding These Roads to Your Itinerary
Both roads fit naturally into a Transylvania or central Romania itinerary. The Transfagarasan connects Curtea de Arges (south) with the Sibiu / Fagaras area (north) — making it a natural route if you are travelling between these areas anyway. The Transalpina connects the Hateg depression with the Olt valley area.
Our Carpathian Nature Break (3 nights, £425) includes the Transfagarasan. Our Carpathian Ridge Hike (5 nights, £925) combines hiking on the Fagaras with the full Transfagarasan drive. Or build a custom road journey.
Our Carpathian Nature Break (3 nights, £425) includes the Transfagarasan. Our Carpathian Ridge Hike (5 nights, £925) combines hiking on the Fagaras with the full Transfagarasan drive. Or build a custom road journey.
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