Image: Transfăgărășan Highway, North of the pass
Highlights
Useful information to successfully plan an exploration of the Transfăgărășan Highway in Romania.
Time of Visit: September 2025
Duration of Visit: Two Nights
Description
The Transfăgărășan Highway, officially known as DN7C, is one of Romania’s most iconic roads, winding through the rugged Făgăraș Mountains in the southern Carpathians. Built in the 1970s during the rule of Nicolae Ceaușescu, the road stretches for about 90 kilometers, connecting the historic regions of Wallachia and Transylvania. Carved into steep cliffs and traversing hairpin turns, viaducts, and tunnels, the highway reaches an elevation of over 2,000 meters at Bâlea Lake with breathtaking alpine views.
The highway is open only in summer, typically from late June to October, when snow and weather conditions permit safe travel. Along the way, travelers encounter striking landscapes: cascading waterfalls, glacial lakes, and dense forests. Highlights include the Vidraru Dam, one of the largest in Europe, and Bâlea Lake, a pristine glacial lake at the road’s highest point.
Perhaps the highway’s main draw is the dense brown bear population. They are very common along the highway, especially between Bâlea Lake and Vidraru Lake.
Activities
The Transfăgărășan Highway is meant to be driven. The hairpin turns are not difficult to maneuver and the road is more than wide enough for two vehicles. Just watch out for the occasional tourist bus. If your schedule is flexible, we would recommend exploring the highway during the weekday. There is a big difference in the amount of traffic between weekends and weekdays because the highway is only a couple of hours drive from the city of Sibiu.
Below we describe what can be enjoyed while driving the Transfăgărășan Highway. The list is arranged as you make your way South over the mountain pass and down to the village of Căpățânenii Ungureni.
Ride the Cable Car
About an hour drive from the city of Sibiu is Cabana Bâlea Cascadă. It is also here where you will encounter the first group of small restaurants and souvenir shops. Not too far from the cabana is the Bâlea Lake – Bâlea Waterfall Cable Car. Riders are whisked away to get a birds eye view of Bâlea Waterfall on the way up to the mountain pass to reach Bâlea Lake.
Hike to Balea Waterfall
The trailhead to Bâlea Waterfall starts at Cabana Bâlea Cascadă. The sign indicates it is about a 30 minute walk to reach the waterfall. We did not do this hike due to limited time.
Take Photos of the Highway and Bâlea Lake
The photos of Transfăgărășan Highway that you would see on souvenirs are taken from the North side of the mountain. To us, there are two places to take such photos, besides taking it from the cable car. These are the Transfăgărășan Panoramic View and the Panorama Transfăgărășan. Both are shown on Google Maps.
The panoramic view is at a large open area on the road side just after the third from the last hairpin turn going towards the lake. The Panorama Transfăgărășan is not far from the cable terminal at the mountain top.
Bâlea Lake is a small alpine lake at the pass of the Transfăgărășan Highway. The highway does not actually go over the highest part of the mountain but rather through a short tunnel to get through the other side. The entrance to the tunnel is near the lake.
The lake is picturesque despite all the developments around it. There are many souvenir stalls and small eateries. Parking is expensive in the area. If you see a parkable space on the roadside, take it. You may also try your luck on finding roadside parking in the narrow but paved road to Cabana Bâlea Lac.
Capra Waterfall
Capra Waterfall is a nice waterfall right off the road a few minutes South of Bâlea Lake. Roadside parking here is limited.
Bear Watching
We were really surprised to have seen 12 bears (nine adults and three cubs) during our drive towards Vidraru Dam from our hotel. The bears were all on the right side of the road during our drive south. They seem to be just waiting for food to be thrown at them.
Just a warning about these wild bears. They may look harmless when you see them as they are apprehensive and cautious. But we were told by our car rental agent and a hotel employee that a biker was recently killed by a bear. The biker dismounted from his bike to get a closer photo of the mother bear with cubs. That was his mistake. During our drive, we did not see anyone leaving their cars while taking photos and videos of these wild bears.
Vidraru Dam
The Vidraru Dam acts as part of the highway. Roadside parking is available before and after the dam. Walking along the dam gives you a perspective on how deep the water is at the dam.
Peonari Citadel and Dracula Castle
The Peonari Citadel is a castle ruin on top of a hilltop. The castle was home to Vlad the Impaler who is believed to have inspired the fictional character – Dracula. Though the castle is no longer recognizable, the citadel provides panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. Reaching the citadel requires tackling about 1,480 stair steps which takes around 30 to 40 minutes.
About five minute drive from the citadel is Dracula’s Castle. This is not a real castle but serves as a museum dedicated to the life of Vlad the Impaler.
How To Get There
You will need a rental car to visit the places listed here. We did see some tourist buses stop at the highway’s viewpoints and Bâlea Lake.
Where To Stay
We stayed at Hotel Piscul Negru which is located about 25 minutes South of Bâlea Lake. The hotel was undergoing expansion and some of the facades were still under construction. Our room was not cramped with just enough area to move around. The hotel also its own restaurant with reasonable prices and good food. As a plus, the staff is very friendly.
We think the hotel’s location is perfect for exploring the rest of the highway towards the village of Căpățânenii Ungureni.
If your schedule allows it, stay at least two nights. There was thick fog and it was raining during our stay. We could not even see Bâlea Lake. We got lucky when the sun decided to make its appearance during our return trip to Sibiu.
How To Get Around
A rental car is needed to visit all the places listed here.
Expected Expenses
Bâlea Lake Paid Parking Area – 60 Lei
Peonari Citadel – 30 Lei
Summary
Visiting Romania without driving or touring the Transfăgărășan Highway means missing out on one of the country’s most unforgettable attractions. The route is not just about getting from point A to B. It is a journey of discovery, where every curve reveals a new panorama and every stop invites exploration. For photographers, adventure seekers, or casual travelers alike, the highway provides countless opportunities to capture Romania’s wild and unspoiled landscapes.
Travelers can pair the drive with visits to nearby castles such as Poenari, the fortress linked to Vlad the Impaler, or continue on to explore Transylvania’s medieval towns. Whether you drive it, bike it, or simply tour it by bus, the Transfăgărășan is more than a road. It is a must-do experience that perfectly encapsulates Romania’s dramatic natural beauty and rich history.