Road Trip:
Transfagărășan Highway
The Transfăgărășan Highway is one of the best motorbike roads in Europe and is at least the most dramatic road in Romania. Built as a strategic military route, the 90 km of twists and turns run north to south across the tallest sections of the Southern Carpathians, between the highest peak in the country, Moldoveanu, and the second highest, Negoiu. The road connects the historic regions of Transylvania and Wallachia and the cities of Pitesti and Brasov.
The road climbs to an altitude of 2,042 meters (6,699 ft), making it the second highest mountain pass in Romania after the Transalpina and is full of hairpin turns that are a challenge for any driver. Due to the topography, the average speed is around 40 km/h (25 mph), which most of the time you will not be able to exceed due to all the hairpins (there are not traffic cameras, though). The road is closed between October and June due to snow. Depending on the weather it might even be closed in the summer.
To tighten your Pinlock lens, you can turn the pins on your visor around until the indicator arrows are facing inward. This will restore the airtight seal to the visor and increase the performance of the Pinlock lens.
The Pinlock lens will require periodic maintenance. Depending on your use and the conditions, the tightening and cleaning of the lens will be required once in a while.
ROAD TRIP
When planning your trip along the Transfăgărășan highway give yourself plenty of time for the crossing. It is a mistake to calculate your day by simply looking at the distances on a map. It is not just vehicles that use the highway, many shepherds use the same route with large herds. Once they enter the road they are committed until they reach a path or grazing land. With a rock face on one side and a sheer drop to the other, they often have nowhere to go to let you pass. Some drivers got a little impatient and attempted to squeeze past the sheep, tooting their horns at the same time. They only managed to pass a dozen or so sheep before realizing that there were up to three hundred more in front! No, this is a trip to be taken at leisure.
TIPS AND QUESTIONS
1. Check your brakes before driving over these mountains, as if they fail on any of the bends without barriers your number will be up!
2. Check the weather forecast on the day you head for the Transfăgărășan highway, as it is closed in bad weather. Don’t plan a trip in winter as the highway is closed! Generally speaking, it is safe to plan your trip between mid-June and mid-September.
3. How long is the Transfagarasan highway? It is 90 kilometers or 56 miles long.
4. Where to stay? There are numerous villages and towns on both sides of the highway offering accommodation for every budget. The hotels on or just off the highway itself tend to be expensive. Several camp sites can also be found.
MAP
VIDEO