Carpathian High Roads Road Trip
Drive the spectacular Transfăgărășan and Transalpina high mountain roads in summer, connecting historic castles and Sibiu.
Designed with driving itself as the main highlight, this route takes you from Peleș and Bran across the mountain pass to Curtea de Argeș, over the Transfăgărășan to Sibiu, and down south via the even higher Transalpina. The mountain roads are winding and traffic can be slow, so leave plenty of time for photos. This itinerary is only feasible in summer and autumn when the high mountain sections are open, and is best suited for drivers with mountain road experience. It skips the historic center of Brașov and the northern regions.
The high mountain sections of both roads are generally open from June to October; exact closing dates depend on the annual announcements of the road authority.
Day by day
Day 1 · Arrive in Bucharest
Bucharest（Lipscani Old Town、Stavropoleos Monastery、Calea Victoriei、Romanian Athenaeum）
Take a car or bus from the airport to the city center (approx. 1 hour), and explore the Old Town and Calea Victoriei on foot.
Stay: Lipscani Old Town
Day 2 · Peleș to Bran Village
Sinaia（Peleș Castle、Pelișor Castle） → Brașov
Pick up your car and drive to Sinaia (approx. 2 hours), then head towards Brașov and on to Bran village in the afternoon (approx. 1.5 hours).
Peleș Castle is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays; avoid starting your trip on these days.
Stay: Bran Village
Day 3 · Bran Castle & Southbound Pass
Brașov（Bran Castle） → Curtea de Argeș & Transfăgărășan（Princely Court & Princely Church of St. Nicholas、Curtea de Argeș Monastery）
Visit the castle in the morning, then drive the Rucăr-Bran Pass to Curtea de Argeș (approx. 2.5 hours).
Bran Castle is closed on Monday mornings; arriving early helps avoid tour groups.
Stay: North of the Monastery
Day 4 · The Transfăgărășan Highway
Sibiu & Sighișoara（Poenari Castle、Vidraru Dam、Bâlea Lake、Bâlea Waterfall）
Drive north past the Vidraru Dam and over the mountains to Sibiu (approx. 150 km, taking 6–8 hours including photo stops).
The high mountain section is closed at night; Poenari Castle is often closed due to bears, and do not feed the bears on the roadside.
Stay: Sibiu Old Town
Day 5 · Sibiu & Păltiniș
Sibiu & Sighișoara（Grand Square, Sibiu、Bridge of Lies & Small Square、Brukenthal National Museum、Rășinari、Păltiniș）
Explore the Old Town on foot in the morning, drive up to the Păltiniș mountain area in the afternoon (approx. 45 minutes), and return in the evening.
Stay: Sibiu Old Town
Day 6 · Crossing the Transalpina
Sibiu & Sighișoara（Urdele Pass (Transalpina)）
Drive through the Sebeș Valley and over the Urdele Pass to Novaci, then continue to Horezu (approx. 5–6 hours).
The high mountain section is closed at night and during bad weather; speed limits are low, so avoid driving in the dark.
Stay: Horezu
Day 7 · Monastery & Return to the Capital
Horezu Monastery → Curtea de Argeș & Transfăgărășan（Cozia Monastery） → Bucharest
Drive from Horezu to Cozia (approx. 1 hour), then return to Bucharest (approx. 3.5 hours).