The Ultimate Alpine Pass - The Transalpina, Romania
If you talk about heading to Romania the chances are this road will come up in conversation and for good reason. Located in the southern Carpathians of Romania the national road 67C connects Novaci in the south with Sebes in the north with 147kms of winding roads. Often described as wild, rugged and dangerous the road formally known by shepherds as the Devil’s path will guarantee a day full of adventure no matter your choice of vehicle. We visited this epic road just a few weeks before the temperature dropped and the snow put it to sleep for the winter.
scenery 7/10
Regardless of whether you start form the North or the South your Transalpina journey will begin with a tunnel of ever green trees on a road carved through the forest. Lifting up your visor to breath in that fresh alpine air is so refreshing after spending time on highways and congested cities you really feel alive. As the road twists up the mountain you gain altitude really quickly almost without realizing until the trees become a sea of green in the background and you can suddenly see for miles in an exposed baron wilderness. At 7,038 ft. (2145 m) - the Urdele Pass is the highest point offering expansive views of the surroundings. In our opinion the most scenic part of the road is from Novaci to Obarsia Lotrului with the remaining sections comprising of dense thick forest.
Duration - 10/10
Have you ever enjoyed a road so much that you didn’t want it to end then the Transalpina is for you! No matter what detour you made to get here, you will be rewarded with 146kms of pure asphalt pleasure. Three to four hours of none stop riding awaits you on this unforgettable alpine rode. For a more leisurely drive, whilst stopping for photos and exploring the markets you can easily allocate an entire day to the Transalpina.
ROAD CONDITIONS - 8/10
The entire stretch of the Transalpina is fully paved making it suitable for everybody. Considering the use this road gets and the harsh winter conditions I must say I was very impressed with the overall conditions of the road. Granted as can be expected there are cracks along the way that have been filled with tar that you should watch out for but on a cool dry day they pose almost no issues but as ever something to watch out for on hot or wet days. Visibility through the forest sections can be limited so be prepared for a sudden flock of sheep or a heard of cows around the corner as the Transalpina is still very much a part of peoples day to day life and we are fortunate to be able to share it.
amenities -4/10
We rated this low on amenities but in fairness this might be because we visited towards the end of the season, so perhaps in the summer months there are more options.
Always start your experience of the Transalpina with a full tank of fuel as there are no possibilities to refuel -this might be the reason for the phone numbers of breakdown services dotted along the road. We also found very few places to stop for a bite to eat along the way, as there are some great spots to sit and cook this wasn’t an issue but something to bear in mind. There are some villages along the way such as Ranca which is a well know ski resort but when we passed through it was mostly closed.
What you will find and I’m sure in more abundance in the peak of the season are small open air markets and cabins serving roadside snacks along with endless options of souvenirs as well as some local produce of Honey, Jams, crafts and breads. One such market is near Iezerul Muntinului and named ‘Târg suveniruri’ on google maps.
Upon reflection, the fact that the Transalpina has not been heavily built up with restaurants and cafes really adds to the rugged atmosphere that most people seek.
exhilaration - 8/10
148km of twisting roads and hairpins that require constant concentration and adaptation to whatever comes around the next corner. As well as unguarded high altitude sections that give you a constant reminder that this road can be unforgiving makes for a truly exhilarating ride!
OVERALL - 7.4/10
One of my trip highlights and definitely in my top 10 eastern Europe must sees. This epic road is not open all year round so be sure to check the current status to avoid disappointment. As with all scenic roads, its best enjoyed during summer and not on weekends. Usually we recommend getting up early to avoid the crowds but having said that the dense morning fog could could ruin your ride so perhaps consider visiting the Transalpina at midday and into the late afternoon to truly experience the magic of this unique place.
