
How long is the Transalpina road in Romania?
Romania, europe
148 km
2,145 m
hard
Year-round
Get ready for an epic Romanian road trip on the Transalpina! This beauty, also known as DN67C, winds for 148 km (92 miles) between Novaci and Sebeş, carving its way through the stunning Carpathian Mountains. Give yourself around 3 hours to soak it all in – and that’s without stopping (which you’ll definitely want to do!).
Locals call it "The King's Road" thanks to King Carol II, who originally built it. It even has roots tracing back to Roman legions! After being rebuilt for military use during WWII, it was mostly inaccessible until recently. Now fully paved since 2009, it’s a modern marvel.
Transalpina isn’t just a road, it’s an experience! Picture yourself surrounded by incredible natural beauty, far from the usual tourist spots. The views are seriously breathtaking! But fair warning: it's packed with twists and turns that'll keep you on your toes.
Heads up though, this high-altitude road isn’t open year-round. At its peak, it reaches a whopping 2,145m (7,037ft)! Usually, snow shuts it down around November/December, reopening around mid-May, weather permitting, and only during the day (8 AM to 8 PM). Pack a jacket, even in summer – that mountain air can be crisp!
For a truly unforgettable experience, plan your trip for mid-to-late autumn. The foliage is unreal, transforming the landscape into a vibrant explosion of colors. Trust me, you won't regret it!
Road Details
- Country
- Romania
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 148 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,145 m
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in europe
moderateHow long is Pico do Areeiro?
🇵🇹 Portugal
Pico do Areeiro is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1.804m (5,918ft) above sea level, located in Madeira, a Portuguese archipelago in the North Atlantic Ocean. At this elevation, it is one of the highest roads in the country How long is Pico do Areeiro? The road to the summit, also known as Pico do Arieiro, is totally paved. Starting at the paved ER103, on Paso do Poiso, it’s 6.6 km (4.10 miles) long. How steep is the road to Pico do Areeiro? The road to the top, the third-highest summit on the Island of Madeira, is very steep, with an 11% maximum gradient through some of the ramps. The elevation gain is 421 meters. The average gradient is 6.37%. Is Pico do Areeiro open? Located in the center of Madeira, in the central mountain range, and surrounded by dramatic mountain scenery with jagged peaks, the road is typically open all year round. Fog is common, and the top of the mountain is often above cloud level. Is Pico do Areeiro worth it? The summit hosts a large car park, a restaurant, a souvenir shop, and an Air Defense Radar Station built in 2011. It’s one of the most visited peaks on the island, due to its easy access, extraordinary views, and well-known nature paths to Pico das Torres and Pico Ruivo. The footpath northwards towards Pico Ruivo is an important tourist attraction, with a daily average of 1,000 tourists trekking on it. On the way to Pico do Arieiro, one can admire a unique stone-built pit (looks like a huge igloo) known as “Poço da Neve,” built by an English family who once used to store ice, snow, and hail from the mountains. With good weather, it is possible to see Porto Santo, the neighboring island, 30 nautical miles to the north. The road to Alto de Torre-Serra da Estrela, the highest point of Mainland Portugal Estrada Nacional 2 is the Route 66 of Portugal Embark on a journey like never before! Navigate through our to discover the most spectacular roads of the world Drive Us to Your Road! With over 13,000 roads cataloged, we're always on the lookout for unique routes. Know of a road that deserves to be featured? Click to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.
hardHow to get to Pizzini Refuge in Lombardy
🇮🇹 Italy
# Rifugio Pizzini: A High-Alpine Adventure in Italy Perched at a serious 2,706m (8,877ft) in Italy's Lombardy region, Rifugio Pizzini is the real deal for mountain enthusiasts. Located in the Province of Sondrio up in the Cedec Valley, this is legitimately one of Italy's highest accessible refuges. And if you're feeling extra adventurous? There's a gnarly little 4x4 trail beyond the hut that climbs even further up to Laghi di Cedèc at 2,833m (9,294ft). The refuge's story is pretty epic. The original Capanna Cedeh was built back in 1887-88 but got destroyed during World War I. After being restored in 1924, it was rebuilt in 1926 and renamed Rifugio Pizzini in honor of Luigi E. Pizzini, a respected Milanese mountaineer. His friends were so dedicated to his memory that they donated the whole place to the Milan CAI section. It's been continuously improved over the decades—the Milan group restored and expanded it again in 1948, added an auxiliary building called Zeledria in 1963, and later renovations honored General Carlo Frattola and his son Augusto. Fast forward to 2002, and the refuge got a complete modern overhaul. Now you're looking at comfortable rooms, some with private bathrooms and hot showers, plus proper central heating. Definitely not roughing it. Here's the catch: the road up is 100% unpaved, super narrow, and properly steep—4x4 only, no exceptions. Starting from I Forni, it's 4.4 km (2.73 miles) with 520m of elevation gain and an 11.81% average gradient. This isn't a beginner route. The refuge sits within the stunning Parco Nazionale dello Stelvio and is typically open mid-June through mid-September, with access limited to authorized vehicles only.
hardBerghaus Arflina
🇨🇭 Switzerland
# Berghaus Arflina: A High-Alpine Adventure Nestled in Switzerland's Plessur Alps at a bracing 2,000m (6,557ft), Berghaus Arflina is a mountain refuge that rewards the determined driver. Located in Graubünden, this gem is only accessible via a private ski resort road—no casual traffic allowed here. Starting your ascent from Jenaz, you're looking at a 12.3 km (7.6 mi) grind uphill with an average gradient of 10.2%. But here's the kicker: the road gets seriously steep in places, maxing out at a white-knuckle 18%. It's a gravel surface too, so traction and vehicle control are your best friends on this one. The drive is car-restricted (so no free-for-all up here), which keeps the mountain relatively quiet and pristine. Fair warning though—this isn't a leisurely Sunday cruise. It's steep, it's rough, and it demands respect. But for those up for the challenge, the views and high-altitude mountain atmosphere make every twisted kilometer worth it.
hardTake the Scenic Route and Discover Alto de la Tornería
🇪🇸 Spain
# Alto de la Tornería: A Thrilling Asturian Adventure Tucked away in Asturias, northern Spain, Alto de la Tornería is a mountain pass sitting at 469m (1,538ft) that'll have your heart racing and your camera working overtime. This isn't your average scenic drive – it's a proper adrenaline rush wrapped in stunning countryside. The road up (LLN-7) is asphalt, but it's narrow, steep, and gloriously twisty. You'll encounter hairpin after hairpin with grades regularly hitting 10% and some sections pushing 15%, so buckle up! The good news? Traffic is basically non-existent, giving you plenty of space to tackle those curves. Winter occasionally throws a spanner in the works with snow closures, but the rest of the year you're golden. What makes this climb truly special are the views. As you wind your way up, the landscape just keeps getting better – unspoilt Asturian countryside giving way to absolutely stunning coastal vistas. By the time you reach the summit, you'll understand why this pass has earned its spot on the Vuelta a España cycling route. Just fair warning: those grades mean you'll be focused on the road more than the scenery, so plan your photo stops wisely. Coming from Parres? That's 6.2 km with 409m elevation gain (6.59% average). From the AS-115 road, you're looking at 9.1 km with 387m gain (4.25% average). Either way, you're in for a driving experience that's equal parts challenging and utterly rewarding.