Transfăgărășan Highway
The DN7C mountain highway in Romania crossing the Făgăraș Mountains, reaching 2,042 m, and famous for its hairpin bends on the north side and the Bâlea Glacier Lake.
The Transfăgărășan Highway (DN7C) was built between 1970 and 1974 for military purposes. It crosses the Făgăraș Mountains, the highest range in the Southern Carpathians, linking Transylvania and Wallachia. It is about 151 km long, and its highest point, near the Bâlea Lake tunnel, is at about 2,042 m. The north slope is the most photogenic section. From Cârțișoara, southeast of Sibiu, the road climbs in hairpin bends alongside the Bâlea Waterfall to Bâlea Lake, a glacial lake with wooden lodges and a winter ice hotel on its shore. After passing through a tunnel at the summit, about 900 m long, the road enters the south slope and winds down a long gorge to the Vidraru Reservoir and dam. It then passes Poenari Castle, associated with Vlad III, the original of Dracula (around 1,480 steps to climb), and ends at the monastery in Curtea de Argeș. You can make a day trip from Sibiu or Brașov, and staying one night by Bâlea Lake or Vidraru Lake is recommended. The high mountain section is open only in summer and autumn, and it is busy at weekends. Mountain weather changes quickly, and fog and hail can occur even in July. Wild brown bears are often seen along the road, and you must never get out of the car to feed them. There are no petrol stations in the mountains, so fill up before you go.