Transfagarasan. The best road in the world

The Transfăgărășan (trans (over, across) + Făgăraș) or DN7C is the second-highest paved road in Romania after Transalpina. It starts near the village of Bascov, located near the city of Pitesti, ending on the crossroad between DN1 and Sibiu. Also known as Ceaușescu's Folly,[1] it was built as a strategic military route that stretches 90 km with twists and turns that run north to south across the tallest sections of the Southern Carpathians, between the highest peaks in the country, Moldoveanu, and the second highest, Negoiu. The road connects the historic regions of Transylvania and Wallachia, and the cities of Sibiu and Pitești.

Transfăgărășan was constructed between 1970 and 1974, during the rule of Nicolae Ceaușescu as a response to the 1968 invasion of Czechoslovakia by the Soviet Union. Ceaușescu wanted to ensure quick military access across the mountains in case the Soviets attempted a similar move to a previous one during 1921. At that time, Romania already had several strategic mountain passes through the Southern Carpathians, mainly inherited from the pre-communist era (Şoseaua Câmpina-Predeal, and the high-pass DN67C) built during the initial years of the Communist regime (DN66 Bumbeşti Jiu-Petroşani). These passes, however, were mainly through river valleys, and therefore easy to block and attack in the event of a military invasion. Therefore, Ceauşescu ordered the construction of a road across the Făgăraş Mountains, which divided Northwestern from South Romania.

 The road climbs to 2,034 meters altitude, making it the 2nd highest mountain pass in Romania after Transalpina. The most spectacular route is from the North to South. It is a winding road, dotted with steep hairpin turns, long S-curves, and sharp descents. The Transfăgărășan is both an attraction and a challenge for hikers, cyclists, drivers and motorcycle enthusiasts alike. Due to the topography, the average speed is around 40 km/h (24.8548 mph). The road also provides access to Bâlea Lake and Bâlea Waterfall.

 The road is usually closed from late October until late June because of snow. Depending on the weather, it may remain open until as late as November. It may also be closed at other times, because of weather conditions (it occasionally snows even in August). There are signs at the town of Curtea de Argeș and the village of Cartisoara that provide information on the passage. Travellers can find food and lodging at several hotels or chalets (cabane) along the way. It has more tunnels (a total of 5)[3] and viaducts than any other road in Romania. Near the highest point, at Bâlea Lake, the road passes through Bâlea Tunnel, the longest road tunnel in Romania (884 m).

 Among the attractions along the southern section of the road, near the village of Arefu, is the Poienari fortress. The castle served as the residence of Vlad III the Impaler, the prince who inspired Bram Stoker’s Dracula character. There is a parking area and a path to the ruins. The northern section is used for annual cycling competitions including the Tour of Romania (Romanian: Turul României). The difficulty of this section is considered to be very similar to Hors Categorie climbs (literally beyond categorization) in the Tour de France.

*source and documentation: Wikipedia

Bicaz gorges keys

Roads and Gorges Keys »Moldova» Neamt County

Gorges Gorges region is that makes the connection between Transylvania and Moldavia, functioning as a border between the two main regions of Romania. Gorges Gorges region is known as a very picturesque region. Precisely for this reason, annually attracts lots of tourists eager to explore the natural beauties of our country. Between Red Lake and Bicazul Ardelean, Gorges Gorges area covers an area of 6 km. As a benchmark, this surface is crossed by DN12C, connecting cities and Bicaz Gheorghieni. In general, Gorges Gorges area is situated in the center Hasmas mountains that belong to the Eastern Carpathians, between Harghita and Neamt counties in North-Eastern country.

If we get even more details, Gorge Gorge is located approximately 20 km from Bicaz and is one of the most attractive tourist regions and beautiful place. As the actual boundaries, geographic speaking, remember that the Northwest Suhardul find large, with a height of 1506 meters and the South-East Suhardul Breakfast with a height of 1352 meters.

Gorge Gorge National Park are part of the gorge Gorges Corporation - Hasmas. This national park or heritage includes also Red Lake, Gorge Gorge, Gorge Suagului, Hasmasul Mare (Lonely) and Black Hasmasul.

Road and environs

The road is composed of coils of overwhelming beauty. This is just one of the reasons this location is ideal for walking trails. Another reason is that worth to keep in mind that in this area there are caves and awesome beauty of them, hidden in the limestone walls of rock. These caves remember the Black Cave, Niagara Cave, and the potholes Licas and three entrances. Small water courses located in the area, make possible the existence of other smaller keys such as keys Lapos, keys suck, Bicajel Gorge.

Also, we can enjoy a splendid rocky mountain to admire the height of 1120 meters which is called the Altar Stone (rocky mountain, around which many legends gather). But this is not the only rocky mountain in the area, if you remember the Stone Pintestilor, with a height of 847 meters, 835 meters heat stone. But we must not forget either Surduc Stone, Stone Gate or Bardosului shelves.

Accommodation

Accommodation can be done through travel agencies that offer programs to the location of outstanding beauty, tourist benefit, depending on which agency offers appealing, affordable price and the facilities included in the process of accommodation, depending on but tastes and needs.

Also, can stay longer and people walking their destination and services appealing to many hostels and holiday homes in that area. Accommodation can be done, however, and little understanding, many locals offering space and accommodation fee. The advantages of pursuing such an option is a considerable reduction in the payment of accommodation.

Whichever method is chosen, it is good to know that most of these points of accommodation is close to the Gorges Gorges and Red Lake, but also in the area Bicaz.

Trails in kilometers

From Bacau, we take the road to Gorge Gorge that passes through Piatra Neamt, this road having a length of about 115 kilometers, instead. In the U.S., through Roman and then Piatra Neamt, we totaled a journey of 187 km, while if the starting point is Miercurea Ciuc, taking Gheorghieni's way, we parcurce about 85 miles.

Moving away from us starting from Miercurea Ciuc and Targu Mures, we go through the Pardure Sangiorz, Sovata, Gyergyósyentmiklós Bicaz after reaching about 144 kilometers.

The road from Bistrita is equivalent in length to that from the U.S., with a length of 187 km, the route being Reghin Toplita Gheoghieni, Bicaz final destination.

It is good to know that once this area, we can take any road we want to see the other beauties of nature, or even monasteries in Neamt County, a major cultural importance, but not only. Thus, Gorges Gorges area is not to be missed under any circumstances if we want to reach as many sights of this country.

Bran Castle

Bran Castle (German: Törzburg; Hungarian: Törcsvár), situated near Bran and in the immediate vicinity of Braşov, is a national monument and landmark in Romania. The fortress is situated on the border between Transylvania and Wallachia, on DN73. Commonly known as "Dracula's Castle" (although it is one among several locations linked to the Dracula legend, including Poienari Castle and Hunyad Castle), it is marketed as the home of the titular character in Bram Stoker's Dracula. There is, however, no evidence that Stoker knew anything about this castle. There is evidence, however, that Vlad Tepes actually did use the castle during his raids into Transylvania.

The castle is now a museum open to tourists, displaying art and furniture collected by Queen Marie. Tourists can see the interior individually or by a guided tour. At the bottom of the hill is a small open air museum park exhibiting traditional Romanian peasant structures (cottages, barns, etc.) from across the country.