Compared
The Transfăgărășan vs the Transalpina
Romania's two great alpine roads
Romania has two spectacular mountain roads, both open only in summer. The Transfăgărășan is the famous one — dramatic hairpins, Bâlea Lake, made famous by Top Gear. The Transalpina is the country's highest road, smoother and less crowded, with open highland scenery. Which is worth driving?
Scenery
Transfăgărășan: Dramatic, rocky, with Bâlea Lake
Transalpina: Open, with highland meadows and flocks
The drive
Transfăgărășan: Technical, with tight hairpins
Transalpina: Smoother and more relaxing
Fame
Transfăgărășan: Hailed by Top Gear as "the best road"
Transalpina: Less known, more authentic
Crowds
Transfăgărășan: Very crowded in summer
Transalpina: Much quieter
Open season
Transfăgărășan: ~1 July – 31 October
Transalpina: ~June – October
Choose Transfăgărășan
Choose the Transfăgărășan if you want the iconic, most-photographed road, with Bâlea Lake and the thrill of the hairpins.
Choose Transalpina
Choose the Transalpina if you want the highest road, quieter and more relaxing, with open mountain scenery.
Frequently asked questions
Can both be driven in the same trip?+
Yes — they're relatively close in the Southern Carpathians and can be linked in a 2–3 day loop through southern Transylvania and Oltenia.
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