Transfagarasan

• Monday 29th June 2015

Transfagarasan Highway is Romania's most spectacular and well-known road.  It became a massive tourist attraction once it was featured on Top Gear. The Transfăgărășan was constructed between 1970 and 1974, during the rule of Nicolae Ceausescu who wanted a quick access route through the mountains for his military in case the Soviet Union attempted to invade Romania as they had previously done with  Czechoslovakia.

Our original idea was to go from north to south on the highway, as that is a more spectacular. But changes to the plan meant we had to reverse our route, going from south to north instead. We would be visiting Turda Salt mine the following day, and for that reason it made sense to use the Transfăgărășan Highway heading north.

There was decent scenery all along but it wasn't mind-blowing as we had expected. At the start of our journey we passed Vidraru Dam, One of the largest hydroelectric plants in Europe. We spent some time marveling at the view before we moved on.

Once we exited the Capra Tunnel the landscape changed dramatically--along--with the weather. When we arrived at the highest point, Balea Lac. It was a lot colder, with clouds of mist. We could also see the north side from here, with the road Top Gear used. This is what I had come for and I was not disappointed.

We crossed Vidraru Dam.

Vidraru Lake is amazing.

Statue of the electric God.

The scenery gets better the higher we go.

We had to pass a large herd of sheep.

They were not playing ball and made it difficult for us.

We eventually cleared them and stopped higher up to witness other victims struggle, but the sheep got adventurous and started climbing the mountain rather than use the road. I guess they only had a problem with us.  

Postcard picture.

Balea Lac is beautiful.

There were some stalls selling merchandise and food at the top.

This was the part of road that impressed Top Gear presenters. It looked amazing.

IT was fun driving down these hairpins. If I'd been alone, I might have put my foot down but with a car full of friends I was more relaxed. But they didn't think so. One of them was holding on for dear life. 

Looking back up towards the peak.

One can also take the cable car up but we had our car which I enjoyed driving on this road.

Transfagarasan, you were fun to drive on. Until next time, my friend. Hopefully I'll see you when I'm in my sports car.


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