ROMANIA HIGH ROADS – TRANSFĂGĂRĂȘAN & TRANSALPINA
Romania’s High Roads — the Transfăgărășan and Transalpina — deliver two of the most dramatic and exhilarating mountain drives in Europe. Carved deep into the Carpathian Mountains, these legendary roads combine extreme elevation, endless switchbacks, and raw, untamed scenery. Remote, uncompromising, and still largely undiscovered, Romania’s high roads offer a driving experience that feels wild and authentic — a rare contrast to the more polished Alpine passes of Western Europe.
Scenic: ★★★★★
Thrilling: ★★★★★
“FROM ABOVE, IT LOOKS LIKE EVERY GREAT CORNER, FROM EVERY GREAT RACE TRACK IN THE WORLD HAS BEEN KNITTED TOGETHER TO CREATE ONE UNBROKEN GREY RIBBON OF AUTOMOTIVE PERFECTION” JEREMY CLARKSON
TRANSFĂGĂRĂȘAN & TRANSALPINA: TWO LEGENDS, ONE REGION
In 2009, the British TV show Top Gear famously replaced the Stelvio Pass with the Transfăgărășan as “the greatest driving road in the world.” What the show did not test, however, was its equally spectacular neighbour: the Transalpina.
At the time of filming, parts of the Transalpina were still being asphalted — which likely explains why it escaped the spotlight. Today, both roads clearly deserve their place among the greatest driving roads in Europe — if not the world.
Running roughly parallel through the Carpathians, the two highways deliver different personalities:
Transfăgărășan: dramatic, theatrical, iconic
Transalpina: higher, more open, purer driving flow
TRANSFĂGĂRĂȘAN HIGHWAY
The Transfăgărășan follows the dramatic gorge of the Argeș River, though its name comes from the Făgăraș Mountains it crosses in a relentless sequence of sweeping serpentines. From Curtea de Argeș almost all the way to the UNESCO-listed city of Sibiu, the road climbs and descends like a giant mountain snake — curve after curve, pass after pass.
Key highlights:
Length: 91 km (57 miles)
Summit: 2,042 m (6,699 ft) at Bâlea Lake
Roadside waterfalls and steep alpine walls throughout
Bâlea Lake is a glacial lake — spectacular, but ice-cold year-round
Landmarks along the route:
Poenari Castle – once owned by Vlad III the Impaler, the historical inspiration for Bram Stoker’s Dracula
1,480 steps lead to the ruins
Panoramic views over the gorge reward the effort
Vidraru Dam – a monumental concrete structure
165 m high, 305 m long
You can drive directly across the dam wall
HISTORY OF THE TRANSFĂGĂRĂȘAN
The Transfăgărășan is one of Romania’s most famous landmarks — partly due to Top Gear, but equally because of its extraordinary origin.
Built between 1970 and 1974
Ordered by communist dictator Nicolae Ceaușescu
Constructed using 6,000 tons of dynamite
Officially 40 workers died, though unofficial estimates suggest far more
One theory suggests it was intended as a strategic military route in case of a Soviet invasion. A more likely explanation is symbolism — a monumental show of what a socialist state could achieve. From a practical standpoint, the road is largely unnecessary — except for one reason: driving it is unforgettable.
TRANSALPINA HIGHWAY
The Transalpina is Romania’s highest road and, in pure driving terms, arguably the better experience. Stretching over 148 km (92 miles), roughly 20 km (12 miles) of the route run above 2,000 m (6,561 ft) as it crosses the Parâng Mountains. Why drivers love it:
Wider roads
Faster flow
Fewer tour buses
More open alpine scenery
The most dramatic section is the Urdele Pass, near Păpușa Peak — a place many consider the highlight of the entire Romanian driving experience. We’ll say it plainly:Transalpina often delivers a better drive than Transfăgărășan.
HISTORY OF THE TRANSALPINA
The Transalpina’s history stretches back far beyond modern Romania.
First built in the 2nd century AD by Roman legions
Used to transport Transylvanian gold to Rome
Known historically as:
Devil’s Track (used by shepherds)
King’s Road (after King Carol II)
Key milestones:
1930 – road paved
King Carol II officially inaugurates it
World War II – rebuilt by German troops for military use
2009 – fully paved
2012 – officially opened to public traffic
At 2,145 m (7,037 ft), it is the highest paved road in Romania.
