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.

Munții Baiului is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.796m (5,892ft) above the sea level, located in Prahova County, Romania, in the historical region Muntenia. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.

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.

Romania is a country that's been out of the European circuit for almost five decades between World War II and its bloody anti-communist revolution in 1989.Like many other totalitarian regimes, the one led by Nicolae Ceausescu, the Prime Secretary of the local ruling party - and the de facto leader of the country - had dreams of grandeur, an itch to demonstrate what the willpower of the people building socialism can do.

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

Șaua Grădișteanu is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.954m (6,410ft) above the sea level, located in Argeș County, Romania. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

Jepii de Jos is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1.847m (6,059ft) above the sea level, located in Argeș County, Romania. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

Romania boasts some of the most dramatic and dangerous scenic drives in Europe. The mountainous terrain and indifferent attitude to maintenance add up to experiences that are not for the faint hearted. For a short, sharp adrenaline buzz, Cheile Gradistei, near the resort town of Bran, is hard to beat.

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.

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.

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

Munții Ciucului is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1.361m (4,465ft) above the sea level, located in Harghita County, in eastern Transylvania, Romania.

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.

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