Romania’s high altitude road Transfagarasan was closed to traffic on November 1, on the section between Piscu Negru (km 104), in Arges county, and Cabana Balea Cascada (km 130+800), in Sibiu county, according to a statement from the National Road Infrastructure Administration Company.

The road is usually closed to traffic during winter. It will most likely open next summer, when the road conditions will allow it. However, tourists can still go up to the Balea Lake, by cable car, which is only available in Sibiu county. The Balea Lake is a popular tourist destination during winter due to the only ice hotel in Romania.

The spectacular Transfagarasan road was built on the orders of Communist era dictator Nicolae Ceausescu between 1970 and 1974 to ensure a strategic military route through the mountains. It includes Romania’s longest road tunnel (887 meters).

The road became famous worldwide after the famous British auto show Top Gear filmed an episode on it in 2009. Since then, the road has been used as a setup for international TV shows and TV commercials.

Audi drives its R8 supercar on Romania’s Transfagarasan

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Travel planner: The Transfagarasan, Romania’s high altitude winding road to greatness

Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com