The Transfagarasan is one of the most famous roads in Romania, and even in Europe, due to the height at which it was built, beautiful landscapes and many switchbacks. The road is spectacular because it crosses the Fagaras Mountains, the highest mountains in Romania so Transfagarasanul reaches an altitude of 2042 meters, is the second road in Romania as altitude, after Transalpina Road.
The spectacular road was built between 1970-1974, with huge efforts from the soldiers and workers who have managed to create a road in the mountains. Lives lost were many. Official number of dead was 40, but people who worked on this road tell that the number of the dead is the number of hundreds.
Sights include Balea Lake and Balea waterfalls, Vidraru Lake and Vidraru Dam, waterfall Goat, Goat Lake and Goat Massive, Poenari Castle. Add to this the Ice Hotel at Balea Lake, only open during the winter, and hiking trails surrounding massifs Transfagarasan.
Balea Lake is the maximum height of the Transfagarasan and is a glacial lake that is formed in a depression surrounded by high mountain ranges.
In winter, when the Transfagarasan is closed, access to Balea Lake is by cable car from Balea Waterfall Cottage. All winter, for three months, works Ice Hotel at Balea Lake, one of the few ice hotel in Eastern Europe. The first hotel was conducted in 2006 and since then the tradition is repeated every year. The hotel is built in the form of an igloo, has about 16 rooms, and there is a bar built in ice. The experience of spending a night here is unique, being the only inconvienent cold and warm clothes, but considering the uniqueness of the hotel, is worth paying.
The Vidraru Dam was opened in 1966, after 5 years it took to build and which involved many human sacrifices. It is the highest dam in Romania, with a height of 166 meters but the largest arch dam in the country. The inauguration was the 5th arch dam in Euope and ninth in the world. The engineers pride who built the dam is the power plant Vidraru, that is being placed underground in massive fortress at a depth of 104 meters. From the dam can practice bungee-jumping site.
The Vidraru Lake was created in 1965 to produce electricity, has a length of 14 km, maximum width is 2.2 km, a total area of 870 hectares and a depth of 155 meters. Over the lake and dam dominate Prometheus statue, erected on Mount Pleasant depicts the mythological hero Prometheus with a lightning bolt in hand, a symbol of electricity.
The Goat Lake is located in the Fagaras Mountains 45 minutes from cottage Balea, at an altitude of 2230 meters, at the foot of massive Goat, and has a depth of 11 meters and a beautiful blue color. In the southern part of the lake there is a plateau suitable for camping, which offers a wonderful view of the mountains.
The Poienari Castle is the latest tourist attraction on Transfagarasan. The Castle was the residence of Vlad Tepes (also called Vlad Dracul or as it is known as Dracula) and was built as a fortress against the turks. There is a staircase with 1,500 steps leading up to the fortress. Unfortunately all you can see are thick walls and landscapes with Fagaras mountains To climb nearly 1,500 steps takes time and patience.
In conclusion, the Transfagarasan offers many natural attractions and is perfect for mountain lovers. I hope you enjoyed our ride on Transfagarasan and if you are interested in other things about this destination please tell me.
The Vidraru Dam was opened in 1966, after 5 years it took to build and which involved many human sacrifices. It is the highest dam in Romania, with a height of 166 meters but the largest arch dam in the country. The inauguration was the 5th arch dam in Euope and ninth in the world. The engineers pride who built the dam is the power plant Vidraru, that is being placed underground in massive fortress at a depth of 104 meters. From the dam can practice bungee-jumping site.
The Vidraru Lake was created in 1965 to produce electricity, has a length of 14 km, maximum width is 2.2 km, a total area of 870 hectares and a depth of 155 meters. Over the lake and dam dominate Prometheus statue, erected on Mount Pleasant depicts the mythological hero Prometheus with a lightning bolt in hand, a symbol of electricity.
The Goat Lake is located in the Fagaras Mountains 45 minutes from cottage Balea, at an altitude of 2230 meters, at the foot of massive Goat, and has a depth of 11 meters and a beautiful blue color. In the southern part of the lake there is a plateau suitable for camping, which offers a wonderful view of the mountains.
The Poienari Castle is the latest tourist attraction on Transfagarasan. The Castle was the residence of Vlad Tepes (also called Vlad Dracul or as it is known as Dracula) and was built as a fortress against the turks. There is a staircase with 1,500 steps leading up to the fortress. Unfortunately all you can see are thick walls and landscapes with Fagaras mountains To climb nearly 1,500 steps takes time and patience.
In conclusion, the Transfagarasan offers many natural attractions and is perfect for mountain lovers. I hope you enjoyed our ride on Transfagarasan and if you are interested in other things about this destination please tell me.
