Pasul Tihuța

The Tihuța Pass links Transylvania with Bucovina, climbing to around 1,200 metres over the ridge that separates the Bârgău Mountains from the Călimani Mountains, northeast of Bistrița. The road winds through dark fir forests and high pastures, and its sweeping views over the wooded valleys have made it well known. The pass gained international fame through Bram Stoker's novel Dracula, which placed the count's road in this area, even though the author never visited the site. A hotel with a gothic look was built on that theme and has become a tourist landmark.

Beyond the literary association, the pass remains a route of great beauty, used since ancient times for trade and for driving flocks. In winter, heavy snow turns the area into a white landscape and the road can be demanding. Practical note: check road conditions in winter, when suitable tyres and chains are useful, and the viewpoint stops offer memorable scenes in any season.