What are the most spectacular roads in Romania?

Located in the southeastern part of Europe, Romania is a country with a very diverse terrain. It hosts about 65 of the most spectacular roads in the world. When travelling to the country you can’t skip the iconic Transfagarasan, a thrilling road through Dracula's territory. It runs through the rugged Carpathian Mountains and features spooky dark tunnels (the longest is more than 800 meters and pitch black), plus endless twists and turns make for a thrilling mountain ride.

For high mountain lovers, Transalpina must be on top of your list. Reputed to be the highest paved road in Romania, reaching an elevation of 2,145m (7,037ft) at Urdele Pass, it is not open all year round. it’s one of the famous Romanian high-altitude roads. It’s also worth the drive through the scenic road through Bicaz Gorge, a very scenic canyon located in the historic region of Transylvania. The road, that slices through the gorges, is among Romania’s most spectacular. This stunning gorge has a part that is so narrow that it is known as 'Neck of Hell.'"

If you prefer high mountain roads, don’t forget to drive the historical Pasul Vulcan in the Southern Carpathians, climbing up to 1.614m (5,295ft) above sea level, or the breathtaking road to Costila Peak in the Bucegi Mountains, a peak at 2.485m (8,152ft) above sea level, located in the mountains of the Muntenia region.

Piatra Arsa is a high mountain cabin at an elevation of 1,970m (6,463ft) above sea level, located in the north of Prahova County, in Romania. It’s one of the highest roads in the country.

Geamăna is an abandoned village located in Romania. It became infamous due to its tragic history tied to a copper mining operation. The town was deliberately flooded and abandoned in 1978 due to a mine.

Located in the Transylvania region of Romania, the National Road DN73A is a truly awesome drive, with 12 steep hairpin turns.

DN73C is the name of a challenging road located in the south-central part of Romania. The condition of the road is really bad in some parts.

DJ112G is a remote mountain road located in Brașov County, Transylvania, Romania, connecting the villages of Zărnești and Peștera. Known for its rough terrain and steep inclines, the road is mostly unpaved and requires careful navigation, especially after heavy rains or snowmelt.

Vârful Coștila is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2,485m (8,152ft) above sea level, located in the mountains of Prahova County in the region of Muntenia, in Romania. It’s one of the highest roads in the country.

Varful Vlădeasa is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1.828m (6,000ft) above the sea level, located in Cluj county, in northwestern Romania. It’sone of the highest roads of the country.

Pasul Trei Movile is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.040m (3,412ft) above the sea level, located in Suceava County, Romania.

DJ73 Road is a very scenic drive located in the central part of Romania. It’s a high mountain road climbing up a few mountain passes.

Pasul Ursoaia is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.324m (4,343ft) above the sea level located on the Cluj County and Alba County border.

Vârful Curcubăta Mare is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1.829m (6,000ft) above the sea level, located in the southeastern part of Bihor County, near the border with Alba County, in Romania. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.

The Pasul Oituz is a mountain pass at an elevation of 868m (2,847ft) above the sea level located in Covasna County, Romania.

Munții Baiului is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.796m (5,892ft) above the sea level, located in Prahova County, Romania, in the historical region Muntenia. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.

Pasul Groapa Seaca is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.595m (5,232ft) above the sea level located on the boundary of Hunedoara and Valcea counties, in Romania.

Romania is a country that's been out of the European circuit for almost five decades between World War II and its bloody anti-communist revolution in 1989.Like many other totalitarian regimes, the one led by Nicolae Ceausescu, the Prime Secretary of the local ruling party - and the de facto leader of the country - had dreams of grandeur, an itch to demonstrate what the willpower of the people building socialism can do.

Pasul Gutâi is a mountain pass at an elevation of 993m (3,257ft) above the sea level, located in the Maramureș County, northern Romania. The drive offers spectacular views over endless forest.

Șaua Grădișteanu is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.954m (6,410ft) above the sea level, located in Argeș County, Romania. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.

The Pasul Musat is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.157m (3,795ft) above the sea level, located within the Putna - Vrancea Natural Park, in Vrancea County, Romania.

The DJ704I is a very scenic drive located in the Argeș County of Romania on the shore of the Lake Vidraru. It’s 21.4 km long.

Rezervor de Apă is a high mountain reservoir at an elevation of 1.969m (6,459ft) above the sea level, located in Vâlcea County, Romania. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.

TransSemenic (DJ582) is the name of a mountain road located in Caraș-Severin county, within the historical region of Banat, in Romania. It’s one of the famous Romanian high altitude roads.

Muntii Iezer is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.357m (7,732ft) above the sea level, located in Argeș County, Romania. This is definitely not a Sunday drive. Drive with care as this is a mountain road with dangerous dropoffs.

Located on the boundary of Argeș and Sibiu counties of Romania, at 884m long the Capra-Balea Lac is said to be the longest tunnel of the country.

Telescaun Straja is a chairlift at 1.855m (6,085ft) above the sea level, located in Hunedoara County, Romania, in the historical region of Transylvania. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.

Postavaru is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1.765m (5,790ft) above the sea level, located in Brașov County, Romania. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.

Jepii de Sus is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.164m (7,099ft) above the sea level, located in Argeș County, Romania. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.

Nedeia is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.085m (6,840ft) above the sea level, located on the border of Vâlcea County and Gorj County, in Romania. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.

Frătoșteanu Mare is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.914m (6,279ft) above sea level, located in Vâlcea County, in Romania. It’s one of the highest roads in the country.

Cabana Dichiu is a high mountain cabin at an elevation of 1.603m (5,259ft) above the sea level, located in Dâmbovița County, Romania. 

Zărneştilor Gorges is a 4 km long canyon with high walls up to 200 m, located in Brașov County, Transylvania, Romania.

DC116B is a scenic mountain road located in Bacău County, Romania.

Jepii de Jos is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1.847m (6,059ft) above the sea level, located in Argeș County, Romania. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.

Petrimanu is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.943m (6,374ft) above the sea level, located in Vâlcea County, Romania. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.

Preotesele is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.998m (6,555ft) above the sea level, located in the Argeș County, Muntenia, in Romania. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.

Florea is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1.931m (6,335ft) above the sea level, located in Argeș County, Romania. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.

Pasul Tărtărău is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.718m (5,636ft) above the sea level, located on the boundary of Alba, Vâlcea and Sibiu counties. It’s the highest paved road in Romania.