Location
The Transfagarasan Highway (also named 7c) is one of the world’s most breathtaking mountain passes. Found in the Transylvania region of Romania, the highway cuts across the Fagaras Mountains. The Fagaras Mountains are on the south side of the Carpathian Mountain Range, which crosses several countries in Eastern Europe. This is truly a beautiful place to visit in Romania.
The start of the highway in the north begins between the towns of Sibiu and Fagaras. The larger city nearby is Brasov, which is about an hour and a half drive away.
There are a few small villages at the beginning of the drive, Cartisoara being the largest, and then the road enters the pine forest and you slip away from civilization.
Once you exit the pine forest, you are above the tree line and the views will take your breath away. The road is extremely windy and steep. It takes you quickly up to an elevation with frozen ice on the ground! At the top, you find Lake Balea, which is frozen around the edges in the summer months. After leaving Lake Balea, you start your journey back down in elevation and into the pine forest. The road ends at Curtea de Arges where the highway meets highway 73c.
Seasonality
The road through the mountains is open only in the summer months. Therefore, if you want to reach the top at Lake Balea during the winter months, you will have to take a cable car to get to the top. The weather is watched very closely to monitor opening and closing in the fall, winter, and spring. The starting point of the cable cars are found here https://maps.app.goo.gl/w5dXCpLGbsgFGoMi6?g_st=ic. You can park your car and leave it at this point before entering the cable car.
Back to the journey by car during the summer months –
Viewpoints
Along the road you will find many different spots that have been created on the side of the road overlooking the valley and the mountains where you can stop your car. These viewpoints show a different perspective on the mountain pass from each different spot. It is worthwhile to stop as many as you can, to be able to take in the transfagarasan highway from all perspectives.
Wildlife
On your way up through the mountains before you get above the tree line, pay attention to the sides of the road to see if there are any bears. Once you have reached above the tree line, pay attention to the mountainside, specifically where there is green, and you may see herds of sheep dotting the sides of the mountain.
The Top – Lake Balea
Once you have reached Lake Balea, you are at the top of the pass before beginning your descent on the other side of the mountains. Here at the top, you will find lots of little shops and places to explore. Lake Balea has ice around it year-round so there is constant melting into the water in the middle of the lake. This makes a beautiful view. From Lake Balea you can also look down at the transfagarasan highway that you have just driven. This is also the north side of the cable car entrance / exit.
Overnight Accommodations
There are many options for overnight stays along the Transfagarasan. The cable car departs from a hotel on both sides of the line. There are other hotels for different budgets along the way. Camping (both tent and vehicle camping) is also an option for staying overnight along the road. You will see many campers set up in spots along the highway and there are several official campgrounds with water, toilets, and a little shop.
Recommendation
The beauty of the Fagaras mountains is worth at least a two-day trip. Finding an accommodation high up in the mountains is ideal, so that you can enjoy the views and the cold crisp air in the early morning. In the summertime, if budget allows, it is worth both a drive and a cable car ride to see all the beauty the area has to offer.
