Transalpina, also known as DN67C, is one of the highest roads in Europe, and it crosses the
Parang Mountains group from Sibiu County to Gorj County, linking Transylvania with Oltenia.
1st June – 1st November – for the rest of the year it is closed to due to weather conditions
* opening hours may vary, they are just for guidance
free
* visiting taxes may vary, they are just for guidance
Also refered to as the "King's road", Transalpina is one of the most beautiful roads in Romania, offering a breathtaking car ride experience to adventure seekers. Transalpina is also the highest roads in Romania, at over 2000 m altitude with its peak point at Urdele Pass, located at a whopping 2.145 m.
We're not sure exactly when the construction of this marvelous road begun and who ordered it, some say that the Roman legions ordered its construction, at a times when they were at war with the Dacians. This hypothesis is backed by the fact that throughout all the historical maps, Transalpina is named "Roman strategic corridor number IV".
A local legend speaks otherwise. It says that somewhere at the end of the 18th century and beginning of the 19th century, every local family contributed to building up parts of this road, by physical and financial capabilities. Other sources say that Transalpina was built and paved with stone by the Germans during the First World War, for military purpose but hasn't been used very much.
What we know for a fact is that Transalpina was reconstructed between the two world wars and was officially open to the public in 1938 by king Carol the 2nd himself. This is why, Transalpina has been called the "King's road" ever since. What is also known is that the route has been used since ancient times by the shepherds of the Sibiu County to lead their sheep to Oltenia. Due to its pretty steep and dangerous track, it has been called "hell's path".
Transalpina starts from the Jina commune in Sibiu County, from where it descends over a distance of 7 km till Sugag, from where it starts to go uphill. A few km in and you reach the two dams of Tau and then Oasa. After the road crosses these dams, you've reached the lovely tourist area of Obarsia Lotrului, up high in the mountains.
If you take a right turn, there is a secluded monastery that you can visit, near the "Fetita" settlement. Transalpina continues to ascend and unravels even more beautiful scenery before your eyes, namely the Sureanu tarn and the surroundings. After 60 km of fresh mountain air and breathtaking panoramas, you reach the Sadu and Talmaciu communes.
There's plenty stops to make and sights to see along the way, but you should keep to the road to Novaci, because you haven't seen the best part yet. This is the part where you're really up high and feel as if you're on top of the road, while everything around you is utterly beautiful where you cross the alpine area.
All of a sudden the mountain disappears and in front of you the Papusa Peak plateau opens up, and the road descends in Ranca Resort and then ends when you reach Novaci commune in Gorj County, Oltenia.
Transalpina offers you the best road trip of your life, in a 3-4 hours of driving from Sebes to Novaci, where you'll enjoy some of the best Carpathian mountains landscapes and natural scenery.