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.

Pasul Oituz

Driving a paved road to the historic Oituz Pass in Transylvania

Oituz Pass is a mountain pass at an elevation of 868 m (2,847 ft) above sea level, located in Covasna County, Romania. It’s a pass with significant historical importance in the country.

Pasul Gutâi

How to drive the hairpin turns to Pasul Gutâi?

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

Munții Baiului

Driving to Munții Baiului: A 1,796m high-altitude ridge track in Romania

Located in Prahova County, in the historical region of Muntenia, the track to Munții Baiului is one of the highest and most exposed mountain roads in Romania. Reaching an elevation of 1,796m (5,892ft) above sea level, this is a raw, unpaved ridge run that offers no protection from the elements. It is a route where the "road" is often just a set of deep ruts carved into the grassy alpine meadows, demanding high-clearance 4x4 vehicles and a steady hand on the wheel.

Capra-Balea Lac Tunnel

Capra-Balea Lac is the longest tunnel of Romania

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.

Pasul Groapa Seaca

Groapa Seaca Pass: A Comprehensive Travel Guide

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.

Șaua Grădișteanu

Road to Șaua Grădișteanu: Driving the 1,954m Unpaved Pass in Argeș

Located in Argeș County, within the Southern Carpathians of Romania, Șaua Grădișteanu is a high mountain pass reaching an elevation of 1,954m (6,410ft) above sea level. Situated in the Iezer-Păpușa Mountains, the route is officially one of the highest roads in the country accessible by motorized vehicles.

TransSemenic

TransSemenic, an awe-inspiring drive in Romania

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.

Rezervor de Apă

Rezervor de Apă

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.

Pasul Musat

Musat Pass

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.

DJ704I

Road DJ704I

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.

Muntii Iezer

Muntii Iezer

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.

Gorges of Zarnesti

Travelling through the defiant Gorges of Zarnesti

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

Telescaun Straja

Telescaun Straja

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

Postavaru

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.

Nedeia

Nedeia

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.

Jepii de Sus

How to drive the unpaved road to Jepii de Sus

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

Frătoșteanu Mare

Driving the unpaved 4x4 road to Fratosteanu Mare

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

Cabana Dichiu

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

Preotesele

Preotesele

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.

Jepii de Jos

Jepii de Jos: Driving the steep 19km gravel climb in the Făgăraș Mountains

Located in the heart of Argeș County, within the southern Carpathians of Romania, Jepii de Jos is a high mountain peak reaching an elevation of 1,847m (6,059ft) above sea level. This remote summit is accessible via one of the highest roads in the country, offering a raw and technical driving experience through the rugged wilderness of the Muntenia region.

Florea

How to drive the unpaved road to Florea?

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

Petrimanu

Petrimanu

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.

DC116B

Road DC116B

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

Taking on the Twists and Turns of Cheile Gradistei

Road to Cheile Grădiștei: Driving the 1,300m Mountain Ascent in Romania

The road to Cheile Grădiștei, located near Fundata in the Brașov County of Romania, is a technical mountain ascent that serves as the primary access to high-altitude sports complexes. Situated between the Bucegi and Piatra Craiului mountains, this private paved route is characterized by extreme gradients and a sequence of tight hairpins that demand high mechanical torque and advanced braking techniques.

Tartarau Pass

Tartarau Pass is a drive worth taking

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.

Bratocea Pass

Bratocea Pass is an absolute must for road lovers

Bratocea Pass (Pasul Bratocea) is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.272m (4,173ft) above the sea level, located on the boundary of Prahova and Brașov counties in Romania.

Olt Defile

Driving through the scenic Olt Defile

Defileul Oltului is a canyon carved by the river Olt located in Vâlcea County, in Romania.

Rarau Peak

Here's How To Have The Ultimate Road Trip To Rarau Peak

Rarau Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1.633m (5,357ft) above the sea level, located in Suceava County, in the southern portion of the historical region of Bukovina in Romania.

Ciuc Mountain

How to drive the steep 20% ramps of Munții Ciucului?

Munții Ciucului (Ciuc Mountains) is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1,361m (4,465ft) above sea level, located in Harghita County, in the eastern Transylvania region of Romania. Situated within the Eastern Carpathian range, the road to the summit is a technical unpaved track that demands specialized driving skills. The 24.3 km route starts at the paved Pasul Ghimeș and is characterized by extreme vertical sections and a narrow roadbed that restricts logistical maneuvers.

Belvedere Mogos

A Truly Outstanding 4x4 Adventure to Belvedere Mogos

Belvedere Mogoș is a natural viewpoint at an elevation of 1,994m (6,541ft) above sea level, located in Vâlcea County, in Romania. It’s one of the highest roads in the country.