A Wild Road to Cucurbata Mare
Cucurbăta Mare is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1,829 m (6,000 ft) above sea level, located in Romania. With a car, it’s a nightmare road, but once you reach the top, the views are worth it. It’s one of the highest roads in the country.
Where is Cucurbăta Mare?
The peak, also known as Bihor Peak, Vârful Curcubăta Mare, Munții Bihorului, and Vârful Bihor, is located on the boundary between Alba and Bihor counties, in the western part of the country.
What’s at the summit of Cucurbăta Mare?
The summit hosts a television and telecommunications relay.
Is Cucurbăta Mare worth the drive?
The peak is worth visiting because from the top you have a spectacular 360∘ view of the Apuseni Mountains, the Arieș Valley in Alba County, and—on clear days in Bihor County—you can see as far as the town of Ștei (formerly Petru Groza) 40 kilometers away.
How long is the road to Cucurbăta Mare?
The road to the summit is totally unpaved, and a 4x4 vehicle is recommended. Starting from the paved DN75 Road, the road to the summit is 10.7 km (6.64 miles) long. Over this distance, the elevation gain is 967 m, and the average gradient is 9.03%.
Can I drive to Cucurbăta Mare in winter?
Set high in the Bihor Mountains, the road is usually impassable in winter. Expect chilly weather on the top, even during summer time.
Pic: Alexandru Sateanu