 | Warning! The route is seasonal and only passable from the end of May to the end of September. For safety reasons, do not drive at night. Out of season the tunnel at the top of the route is closed! |
Trasa / Szosa Transfogaraska (sometimes Transformative) - the second highest road in Romania (DN7C number). Combines Curtea de Argeș and around Sibiurunning between the two highest peaks of Romania - Moldovenau (2544 m above sea level) and Negoiu (2535 m above sea level). It is approximately 150 km long.
What is worth having with you
- tent
- trekking shoes
- flip-flops (may be useful during the crossing)
- swimsuit
- camera and / or camcorder
- good mood :)
Beginning
The tour starts in Cârţişoara. For the first 22 km it is not very scenic - at the beginning there is a plain and then the forest begins.
Before the summit
Later, after driving the "forest" section, the views begin - on the first "open" parking lot (it is free; Street View) it is worth stopping, soaking your feet in the river and, if the weather is good, hike the mountains (NOTE! The slopes in some places are very steep, but the views are really breathtaking!). To go to the mountains, you have to cross the river (quite cold, but very clean, the easiest way is to jump on stones).
Peak
Eight kilometers behind the aforementioned "parking lot", we reach the top of the route (at an altitude of 2034 meters above sea level). While on this route, you shouldn't miss it. Parking upstairs costs 5 RON (approx. 5 PLN, as of 2014). If we are not familiar with climbing, the Curmatura Balei pass (2202 m above sea level) will be very good - 20 minutes from the parking lot. You can also climb the peaks of Negoiu and Moldovenau - but this is a longer expedition. You can also wet your feet in cool lakes.
Exit
If we have already enjoyed the wonderful views, after leaving the parking lot we have to go through the tunnel (888 m long) and go down (the exit is very scenic) to the dam on Lake Vidraru (300 m high!). You can see an interesting monument there (it resembles a Transformers) and go out to the observation deck.
Poienari
Below the dam is another parking lot, this time under Dracula's Castle. The entrance to the castle takes 1440 steps, tickets cost 5 RON / person. There is no need to buy a photo and filming permit, as the fortress is not monitored in any way and nobody checks it. The castle is small but the views are nice - it's worth going out.
Curtea de Argeș
Behind Poienari, the route is no longer scenic - the last 25 km to Curtea de Argeș are villages and flat terrain, characteristic of Wallachia. There are churches worth seeing in the town:
- 14th-century St. Nicholas,
- The 16th-century Dormition of the Mother of God (the first kings of Romania were buried here).
Gastronomy
You can eat mainly on the route kurtoskalacs, a local sweet delicacy, costs approx. RON 10 / item. (you can eat it, for example, at the top in booths and on a dam). Near the dam, you can also buy little "specific" food, such as pretzels. (as of: 2015)
Accommodation
You can sleep in a mountain hut at the top of the trail, or in the wild. There are no hotels on the route.
Where next
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