DN73A is a curvy road with 12 steep hairpin turns in Transylvania
Romania, europe
21 km
1,000 m
hard
Year-round
Get ready for an epic Romanian road trip! DN73A, or as the locals call it, "Paraul Rece" (Cold Stream Road), winds its way through the legendary Transylvania region. This paved road, located in Brașov County, is a total feast for the eyes, serving up incredible vistas of the Bucegi and Postăvarul mountains.
The real thrill starts with a 21km stretch running from Râșnov to Predeal. Predeal is Romania's highest town, perched over 1,000m above sea level in the Prahova Valley. Hold on tight as you climb to the road's peak at 1,127m! You'll be tackling 12 seriously steep hairpin turns and some ramps that hit a wild 22% gradient.
Word to the wise: winter driving can be super dicey. After the snow melts, the road needs some serious TLC with all the patching. But if you're up for an adventure, this curvy, steep climb is an absolute must-do!
Where is it?
DN73A is a curvy road with 12 steep hairpin turns in Transylvania is located in Romania (europe). Coordinates: 46.0607, 24.8584
Road Details
- Country
- Romania
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 21 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,000 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 46.0607, 24.8584
Related Roads in europe
moderateHow to Get by Car to the Summit of Torreta de l'Orri in Lleida?
🇪🇸 Spain
Torreta de l'Orri is a seriously impressive high mountain peak sitting at 2,439m (8,001ft) above sea level in Spain's Lleida province. Also called Pic de l'Orri, this beast ranks among the country's highest driveable roads and sits in the Pallars Sobirà region of Catalonia, up in the northern part of the country. Want to visit? Fair warning: this isn't your typical Sunday drive. The road is completely unpaved—basically a chairlift access trail that demands a proper 4x4 vehicle to tackle. Seriously, don't even think about attempting this in winter. At this elevation, the road becomes completely impassable once snow hits. Starting from Port-Ainé ski resort, you're looking at a 5.7 km (3.54 miles) push to the summit. You'll climb 436m of elevation over that distance, with an average gradient of 7.64%—steep enough to make you work for those views. At the top, you'll find communication facilities and a TV antenna building, a reminder that humans have conquered this beast for practical purposes too.
extremeDriving the steep service road to Greppon Blanc in Valais
🇨🇭 Switzerland
# Greppon Blanc: Alpine Adventure in the 4 Vallées Ready for some serious alpine thrills? Greppon Blanc is calling—a stunning 2,635m (8,645ft) peak sitting pretty above the Veysonnaz and Thyon resorts in Switzerland's legendary 4 Vallées ski area. The views alone are worth the drive. On a clear day, you're treated to jaw-dropping 360-degree panoramas of the Pennine Alps, with the iconic Matterhorn and Dent Blanche dominating the horizon. The landscape is raw and unfiltered—limestone rocks, sparse alpine vegetation, and that biting mountain wind that never seems to stop. Here's where it gets real: the 5.3 km (3.29 miles) ascent from Thyon is no Sunday drive. You'll climb 529 meters with an average gradient of nearly 10%, but don't be fooled by "average"—the steepest sections hit a whopping 30%+. The surface is basically loose stones and rocky gravel that gets increasingly sketchy the higher you go. Seriously, bring a proper 4x4 with low-range gearing. Traction issues? Basically guaranteed. This narrow maintenance track (originally built to service chairlifts) offers zero safety barriers and demands serious respect. You can only tackle it summer months—late June through September, weather permitting. Even then, mountain storms can roll in fast with snow and fog, catching you off guard. Only experienced mountain drivers should attempt this one. If you know your way around high-altitude, loose terrain and aren't fazed by steep drop-offs and potential service traffic, Greppon Blanc delivers an unforgettable experience.
hardThe unpaved road to Col de Moulata in the Pyrenees
🇫🇷 France
Col de Moulata is this awesome high mountain pass perched at 1,685m (5,528ft) in the Hautes-Pyrénées, tucked away in the southwestern corner of France's Occitanie region. It's basically a stone's throw from the Hautacam ski resort, and there's a sweet parking area right at the summit if you need to catch your breath. Here's the thing—the road is completely unpaved, but don't let that scare you. Your regular passenger car can handle it just fine. Just know that Mother Nature shuts this place down pretty hard from late October through late June or early July, so timing is everything. The drive itself is short and punchy: just 1.5 km (0.93 miles) starting from Col de Tramassel. But don't confuse short with easy. This is a seriously steep climb through the Pyrenees with some sections hitting a brutal 12% gradient. It's the kind of road that'll get your heart pumping and your palms sweating, but the reward? Standing at that summit with views of some of France's most dramatic alpine scenery.
moderateGermany’s 5 Best Castles You Have To Visit At Least Once
🇩🇪 Germany
# Germany's Must-See Castles: A Fairytale Adventure Awaits Germany absolutely nails the castle game in Europe, and honestly, once you see them, you'll understand why. From dreamy storybook palaces to imposing medieval fortresses, there's something here for every castle enthusiast. **Neuschwanstein Castle** is basically what happens when a fairytale becomes real. The name means "New Swanstone Castle," and it's so stunningly gorgeous that Walt Disney literally used it as inspiration for Sleeping Beauty's castle. Here's the fun part: despite looking like it's straight out of the Middle Ages, King Ludwig II (aka "the Mad King" for his extravagant projects) actually built it in the mid-1800s. Add in the fact that composer Richard Wagner created some of his masterpieces while staying here, and you've got a castle with serious cultural credentials. **Burg Eltz** is another fairytale dream come true. Built between 1490 and 1540, this castle has been owned by the same family since 1157—that's 33 generations of ownership! Even crazier, it's one of only three Medieval castles along the Rhine that survived intact. The catch? You'll need to grab a taxi from Munstermaifeld and hike for 45 minutes to reach it. Trust us, it's worth every step. Pro tip: give yourself a full day to explore the entire Rhine region, but note that tours close from late autumn through mid-spring. **Hohenzollern Castle** absolutely lives up to the hype. It's among Europe's most spectacular castles and attracts millions of visitors annually—partly because it still houses the Prince of Prussia. Guided tours feature actors in authentic medieval costumes, and during slower seasons, you can wander freely. Getting there requires a rental car from Stuttgart plus another 30-minute hike, though public transport options exist too. **Lichtenstein Castle** is the ultimate cliffside drama. Perched dramatically on a massive cliff and connected by drawbridges, it replaces a medieval fortress that was destroyed back in 1377. The current fairytale version was built by Count Wilhelm of Württemberg in 1837 after he purchased the land, creating the romantic castle you see today. **Schwerin Castle** feels plucked straight from your dreams. This 653-room palace sits on an island in Germany's third-largest lake and has an incredible history—starting as a fortress built by Slav tribes in 973, it was completely reimagined in the 1850s by Friedrich Franz II. Visit Tuesday through Sunday, 10 AM to 5 PM (until 6 PM during summer).