The Transalpina panoramic road has connected Transylvania with Wallachia since 1939 and is the highest road in Romania accessible by car. Travellers are assured of fantastic views.
As the "Road of the King", the panoramic Transalpina road with the number DN67C was opened in Romania between Transylvania and Wallachia in 1939. At that time, it was thanks to the efforts of King Carol II of Romania that the road through the Parâng Mountains was rehabilitated.
However, it is said that the Romans were the first to walk along this path through the Southern Carpathians in the course of the Dacian Wars. Today, the wonderful panoramic road is one of our top 10 sights of Romania.
PICTURES: Panoramic road Transalpina
Photo Gallery: Panoramic Road Transalpina
The dreamlike road leads from Bengeşti northwards via Rânca to Sebeș (Mühlbach), which is near Alba Iulia. Since 2011, the approximately 150 km long route has been completely asphalted, but this has not changed its natural character.
Tip: The Transalpina is even 100m higher than the Transfogarasch High Road, but is less known and therefore less frequented.
On the road on the Transalpina panoramic road
The view on the DN67C can be described as absolutely fantastic throughout. Not even crash barriers spoil the sensational panoramic view of the mountains. Over sparse vegetation of grass and scree, the view sweeps over shimmering bluish mountain ranges into seemingly endless expanses.
Tip: Due to the unpredictable weather, the entire road is only open during the summer months from 1 July to 30 September.
Narrow serpentines near Obârşia Lotrului
In Obârşia Lotrului, the most spectacular section of the Transalpina begins with narrow serpentines. The panoramic road winds its way up to 2,145 metres in sometimes very steep and narrow bends (which often even require first gear).
Worth seeing here is Novaci, a pretty little town whose houses, some of which are very well preserved, are typical of the region of northern Wallachia. A short detour leads from Obârşia Lotrului to Petrosani, the former mining centre of Romania. The route leads along the very rustic 7A, which is only passable with great caution in a normal car.
Tip: Be sure to stop at one of the flying traders and try their berries or mushrooms! Some locals even earn their money as professional mushroom pickers who sell their finds to wholesalers.
High up on the Urdele Pass
The highest point, already above the tree line, is reached at the Urdele Pass, making the Transalpina the highest road in Romania. A few kilometres before, in Rânca, the infrastructure of a ski resort is being built, whose construction sites do not fit in at all with the idyllic picture of the high alpine landscape. At the top of the pass it is almost always windy to stormy, and even on summer nights you have to expect sudden ice and snow.
Perfect view on the Transalpina panoramic road
After the pass, the road becomes rougher, but the landscape remains just as breathtaking. The two reservoirs Lacul Tău and Lacul Oaşa, which emerge from the millstream, invite you to rest, marvel and take photos.
The country's second largest power plant after the Iron Gate is also located here. Its energy comes from the Vidra reservoir, which impresses with a huge water surface of 12 square kilometres and a capacity of 300 million cubic metres and offers dreamlike photo motifs. This region is also absolutely fantastic for hikes far away from civilisation.
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