Transfagarasan highway to open for summer

Newsroom 03/07/2013 | 10:22

Infrastructure is not the country’s strong suit to say the least, but there are two roads in Romania so spectacular that they deserve the label of tourist destinations in their own right. Whether you are a driver, biker or cyclist, the Transfagarasan and the Transalpina roads are an experience that should not be missed. You will “cut through the clouds”!

The Transfagarasan, Romania’s highest fully operational motorway running across the Fagaras Mts., opened to traffic on July 1, the National Roads and Motorways Corporation (CNADNR) informed. Until October 31, 2013 the motorway will be opened to traffic between the locality of Bascov – Arges County, and the junction with National Road DN1 Brasov – Sibiu.

CNADNR cautions the motorists to respect road signs, given the restrictions and dangerous spots along the route, as well as the rockfall risk, which is looming over several sectors of the road, and drivers are advised not to stop there.

CNADNR also warns that traffic is banned at night between 21.00 and 07.00 along the road section between milestone 56+600 km and 130m+800 km.

The motorway was built between 1970 and 1974 and climbs up to 2,034 meters altitude. Its northern part is the most spectacular one, a winding road, fraught with steep hairpin turns, long S-curves, and sharp descents. The Transfagarasan is both an attraction and a challenge for hikers, cyclists, drivers and motorcycle enthusiasts alike. The motorway provides access to the Balea Lake and the Balea Waterfall.