Transfăgărășan Highway

The Transfăgărășan (DN7C) crosses the Făgăraș Mountains, the highest part of the Romanian Carpathians. Built in the early 1970s as a strategic military road, it is now one of the most spectacular mountain roads in Europe, with a wall of hairpins climbing to a glacial lake at the top.

The southern approach passes the Vidraru Dam and the ruins of Poenari Fortress, linked to Vlad the Impaler; the northern side drops in a cascade of switchbacks toward Transylvania.

Highlights

• Poenari Fortress, reached by a long staircase from the road
• The Vidraru Dam and its reservoir
• The northern hairpins, best seen from above
• Bâlea Lake and the tunnel under the ridge
• Bâlea Waterfall on the northern descent

Best time to ride

The high section is typically open only from early July to the end of October, depending on snow. Weekends in summer are crowded.

The road

Paved but with variable surface quality, tight hairpins, unlit tunnels and wandering tourists, sheep and the occasional bear near the road.

Riding tips

• Do not feed or approach the bears — they come to the roadside for food from tourists.
• Ride early to beat the weekend crowds at Bâlea Lake.
• Combine with the Transalpina (DN67C) for a second spectacular pass.