The Transfăgărășan (DN7C) is a 90 km alpine road in the Făgăraș Mountains, southern Transylvania. Built 1970–1974 by Ceaușescu's order (losing 40 workers' lives) as a strategic military route (fear of Soviet invasion like in Czechoslovakia 1968). Today — tourist attraction crowned by Top Gear (Jeremy Clarkson, 2009) as "the world's most beautiful road".
🚗 The route
From Curtea de Argeș (south) to Cârțișoara (north), 90 km. Highest point: 2042 m (Romania's second highest after Transalpina). Features: 27 hairpin turns on the northern slope, 887 m tunnel under the main ridge (Romania's second longest).
🏞️ Attractions along the route
- Poenari Citadel (south, km 5) — Vlad the Impaler's real castle (not Bran!) 14th c. 1480 steps to climb. Here Vlad impaled the aristocracy. Visit: 15 lei.
- Vidraru Lake — reservoir with 166 m dam (1965). Boat rides in summer.
- Bâlea Cascade — Romania's largest waterfall (60 m).
- Bâlea Lake (2034 m) — glacial lake near the highest point. Mountain hut. Winter — Ice Hotel (rebuilt every winter from January–March).
- Cable car from Bâlea Cascade to Bâlea Lake — 30 lei round trip, 4 min. Operates year-round.
📅 When to go
- June–October: road OPEN to traffic. Outside these months — snow, frozen, closed.
- August: big crowds on weekends.
- September: ideal — good weather, fewer tourists, autumn colours.
💡 Practical tips
- Leave early (06:00–07:00) to avoid crowds and afternoon fog.
- Fuel: fill the tank before climbing — no stations.
- Clothes: even in summer at 2000 m it's 10–15°C and windy. Cardigan and jacket essential.
- Traffic: on the northern slope (with the hairpins) jams are frequent in summer — be prepared.
- Combo: usually combined with Sibiu (nearest tourist city, 2h) or Brașov (2.5h).
🚗 Alternative: Transalpina
For those wanting another spectacular alpine road: Transalpina (DN67C) — 60 km west of Transfăgărășan, climbs to 2145 m (Romania's highest road). Less crowded, wilder scenery. Open June–October.