It serves as a connection between the historically significant areas of Wallachia and Transylvania. It was constructed in the beginning of the 1970s by the communist president Nicolae Ceausescu as an essential military highway; However, it is now an attraction for visitors, cars, bikers, and hikers who wish to appreciate the breathtaking landscape, the alpine lakes, and the ancient castles that are located along the route. The Transfagarasan road has been given the title of "The Best Road in the World" by the famous Top Gear commentator Jeremy Clarkson. It remains a prominent destination in Romania for car lovers, riders, and hikers (Varga, 2023). In this blog article, I will provide you with all the information that you want on the Transfagarasan route. This includes information on how to get there, things to see and experience, where to stay, and the best time to visit. Come along with me on this incredible journey across hidden paths of the globe and find out why the Transfagarasan is considered to be the finest road in the world.

 

Figure 1 Isabela Duran                    Figure 2 Isabela Duran

 

What to see and do along the Transfagarasan road ?

Travellers interested in the rich past and elegance of Romania can find many sights as well as activities along the beautiful Transfagarasan Route.

-The remaining parts of Poenari Castle, the fortress of Vlad the Impaler—the man who inspired Dracula. Although there are 1,480 stairs to climb to reach the top of the fortress, the panoramas are absolutely worth it.

-Vidraru Lake and Reservoir: The reservoir, which was constructed in the 1960s, is an architectural wonder, and the lake itself is breathtakingly beautiful with its azure waters. If you're in the mood for an adrenaline rush, you may bungee jump from the reservoir; otherwise, you can go fishing, sailing, or hiking surrounding the lake.

- Balea Lake: At an elevation of 2,034 metres above sea level, it serves as the highest point on the Transfagarasan route. The ice skating and ice carvings are common winter activities at this glacial lake. In summertime, the surrounding mountains and the perfect lake are an amazing thing to see.

-The Transfagarasan Highway has greater tunnels and bridges than any other route in Romania. The 887-meter-long Capra Tunnel, which connects to Balea Lake, is the most well-known of them. The excitement of driving over these viaducts and tunnels comes from the fact that you can never predict what kind of landscape you will encounter on the other side.

-The Curtea de Arges Monastery, which dates to the 16th century, is renowned for being one of the most stunning and significant churches in Romania. Several Romanian monarchs and queens are laid to rest there, and the tale behind its creation is intriguing. The monastery's elaborate murals and sculptures make it an architectural marvel that combines Byzantine and Romanian styles.

                                                  

Figure 3 Isabela Duran “Vidraru Lake”                Figure 4 Isabela Duran “Vidraru Dam”

 

Size of the industry

Every week, it receives around 1,000 tourists, most of whom come from Poland, France, the UK, Germany and Asia (Scortravel, 2023).

Numerous locals have found work in the hotel, travel, and cultural sectors thanks to the increase of tourists to the region along the Transfagarasan route. Here are a few instances of such positions: the proprietors and employees of hotel chains and guesthouses who warmly accommodate and feed visitors. Transportation and guides for tourists who provide rides, automobile lettings, and route-specific schedules. The proprietors, cooks, and wait staff of restaurants and cafes who provide tourists with regional specialties and drinks. People who possess shops selling ornaments, local goods, and artisanal items connected to the route's past and present. The park guards and maintenance staff who watch after for the ecosystem and the animals that live there. The museum and castle personnel in charge of the culture and cultural attractions along the way, including the Balea Lake Ice Hotel, the Curtea de Arges Monastery, and the Poenari Castle.

In addition to being an attractive route, the Transfagarasan provides financial advantages to both the local and national economies. For example, it draws visitors from various parts of the globe, who allocate funds towards lodging, living, memories, and additional amenities throughout the journey. This provides both jobs and income to the neighbours and enterprises. By highlighting the region's varied panoramas, historic and architectural monuments, and fauna, it advances the country's heritage of nature and culture. This serves to improve the country's name and perception as a preferred tourist destination. Along the route, it encourages the construction of public utilities and facilities including highways, bridges, tunnels, electricity, water, and communications. This enhances the possibilities available to the local populace and improves their quality of life. It promotes partnership and integration between the Transylvanian and Wallachian regions by establishing a connection via a shared culture and a shared asset. This phenomenon enhances the overall social and political unity of the nation. Romania offers numerous cultural as well as natural points of interest, including the Carpathian Mountains, the Black Sea, the Danube Delta, and seven World Heritage Sites designated by UNESCO. The tourism industry is a significant sector of the nation's economy, accounting for 4.19% of GDP in 2023 while providing over 400,000 employments (OECD Tourism Statistics, 2024).

Figure 5 “Poenari Stock Photos and Images”

Figure 6 “Ice Hotel at Balea Lake”

Business Environment

Transfagarasan route visitors are mainly road trip enthusiasts, nature lovers, families with children, people from other countries interested in beautiful landscapes, photographs and motorists; aged between 5/6 years old to 60 years old; males and females with medium to high income and education level. Most of the tourists coming from Romania, Poland, France, the UK, Germany and Asia. It is believed that there are several alpine routes all over the globe that are very beautiful and are capable of competing with the Transfagarasan in Romania, for example:

In Italy, the route known to travellers as "Stelvio Pass" is situated in the Eastern Alps and hits a height of 2,757 metres. It is composed of 48 sharp curves and provides breathtaking landscapes of the valleys and mountains that it passes through. On the British television show Top Gear, it was ranked as one of the greatest roads in the entire globe for racing (TopGear.com, 2011).

One of the roads in Norway is called Trollstigen, and it is a section of the Norwegian National Road 63. It rises to an elevation of 850 metres higher than the level of the sea. 11 abrupt curves and a high grade of 9% are included in this path. The path also goes past an impressive cascade and an observation area that provides a panoramic view of the surrounding scenery and the path ahead (Nikel, 2020).

In South Africa, the Chapman's Peak Drive is a seaside highway that goes alongside the Atlantic Ocean and the Table Mountain National Park. It is a popular tourist destination. In all, it is 9 km long and has 114 turns. The ocean, the cliffs, as well as the vegetation and animals, can all be seen from this drive, which is often regarded as one of the most magnificent drives in the whole world. There is also a big competitor for Transfagarasan route in Romania named “TRANSALPINA”. The Parang Mountains are traversed by this scenic route in Romania, which is another mountain highway. It is the route that reaches the greatest elevation in the nation, achieving a height of 2,145 metres. With a length of 148 km, it also happens to be greater than the Transfagarasan, which is 139 kilometres. Some individuals like the Transalpine over the Transfagarasan due to the fact that the Transalpine appears to be less congested and naturally occurring of the two (Adventures, 2017).

Figure 7 Isabela Duran “Transalpine route”

Transfagarasan route industry in Romania has been impacted by the conflict in Ukraine. Risk, travel expenses, and security fears have risen for visitors because of the conflict, particularly those from Eastern Europe.

Certain Central and Eastern European locations, including Poland, Hungary, the Baltic states, and Slovakia, have also experienced a reduction in flights and reservations because of the war.

Furthermore, the fishing sector and shipping along the Danube, which shares borders with Ukraine and Romania, have been interrupted by the conflict.

Consequences of the repetitive Russian drone attacks on Ukrainian ports within the border include devastation, terror, and a flood of refugees.

These aspects have decreased the appeal and simplicity of having access to the Transfagarasan pathway, which traverses the Carpathian Mountains and the Danube Delta (Amariei, 2023).

The conflict among Russia and Ukraine has resulted in numerous impacts on the European travel and tourism sector. As a result of the conflict, the Romanian tourism sector faces the following general dangers: Departure of Russian and Ukrainian visitors, who constitute a significant portion of Romania's primary consumer base. Their freedom of choice and transit security have been decreased by the conflict, which additionally introduced travel limitations and limitations on visas. The air space utilisation and entry restrictions that may have an impact on the cost and availability of trips to and from Romania. Certain airlines have been forced to reschedule or cancel flights due to the raised danger of airspace errors, weapon assaults, and military actions resulted in by the conflict. Elevated food and transportation expenses may result in an afterwards growth in the expense of tourist goods as well as services in Romania. Europe and Russia's commerce and provide channels have been disrupted by the conflict, resulting in inflation and a lack of vital items (Nikolova, 2022).

                                             

Figure 8 Isabela Duran “Carpathian Mountains”   

Figure 9 “Danube Delta”

There are numerous ways in which technology can be utilised to improve the enjoyment for Transfagarasan route tourists. For example, they can obtain details relating to driving conditions, climate, congestion, and destinations across the journey can be obtained through the use of technology. This can assist tourists in organising their excursions, avoiding potential dangers, and appreciating the picturesque sights. This data being accessible via apps, sites, and GPS devices. Modern technology can additionally provide visitors with amusement while they gain knowledge about the natural, cultural, and historical aspects of the Transfagarasan area. Area-specific recordings, audio versions, and music are available for visitors to enjoy. Additionally, they have the option to view movies or recordings that highlight the elegance and variety of the environment. Additionally, technology may encourage conversation between tourists who wish to pass on their insights, views, or recommendations to others. By utilising websites, internet sites, or forums, guests can interact with other travellers, citizens, or authorities. They may also produce and hand out their own material, including pictures, clips.

                         

Figure 10 Isabela Duran “On Transfagarsan route”           

Figure 11 Isabela Duran “Bear on the way to Transfagarasan route”

 

The "Top Gear" programme produced a amazing social and artistic influence over the Transfagarasan route and Romania as a whole. It increased tourism as well as interest in the area, inviting more tourists from all over the globe ready to discover the route for themself. Furthermore, it highlighted the splendour and variety of Romania's environment, the past, and cultural backgrounds, fighting many of the traditions and presumptions promoted by the foreign media. It caused other travel programmes and documentaries to highlight the Transfagarasan road and Romania as a place to visit. In contrast, the "Top Gear" show had a severe impact on the Transfagarasan route and surrounding towns. It boosted the volume of traffic along the route, particularly during busy summertime once the road is accessible. It also generated some negative impacts and pollution since some tourists trashed, vandalised, or raced carelessly on the road. It additionally interrupted the routines and occupations of those who live along the road, causing them to cope with the disturbances, overcrowding, and safety concerns brought on by the surge of visitors. Some residents also believed that the "Top Gear" segment disrespected their way of life and culture by focusing too much on the road rather than human beings and the stories they told (Dobie, 2018).

There is a lengthy and complex relationship between the Transfagarasan road and the character of Dracula. The path goes via the Poenari Fortress, known as the home of Vlad III Dracula, the ruler of Romania who served as the inspiration for Bram Stoker's characterization of Dracula. There are 1,480 stairs that must be climbed in order to access the stronghold, which is situated on a rock that overlooks the Arges River. In the 15th century, Vlad constructed the fortification as a defence against the Ottoman Empire. However, it was eventually abandoned and destroyed after it had served its purpose. In addition, the Transfagarasan road travels through the Fagaras Mountains, which constitute a portion of the Carpathian Mountains and represent the location of the legendary castle where Dracula lives in Stoker's book Carpathian Mountains. The book characterises the fortification as being "on the very edge of a terrible precipice...with occasionally a deep rift where there is a chasm [with] silver threads where the rivers wind in deep gorges through the forests". With its Rocky Mountains, canyons, and flowing rivers, the Transfagarasan route presents a landscape that is quite similar to that of the others.

Figure 12 Isabela Duran “Balea Lake”

Conclusion

The Transfagarasan Highway is far greater than simply a roadway. It symbolises Romania's past, present, as well as splendour of nature. It is an adventure for vehicles, bikers, and climbers looking to enjoy the Carpathian Mountains' breathtaking sceneries. It is a place for travellers looking to see Romania's secret beauties, including as fortifications, churches, and lakes. It's a voyage that is going to leave you speechless, shocked and impressed. If you want to experience the finest journey in Romania, go nowhere else than the famous Transfagarasan Highway. You will not regret it.