Transalpina

Also named the road that scrapes the clouds, the mountainous road Transalpina is the national road that crosses the mountains Parâng, situated in the Southern Carpathians. Rivaling against the famous mountain road Transfăgărășan, Transalpina is located at the altitude of 2145 meters (in Pasul Urdele, Vâlcea County), being the highest mountain road from Romania. Known also under the name of ‘the king’s road’, it crosses 4 counties, Alba, Sibiu, Vâlcea and Gorj. The beginnings of this road are tied to the period of the Roman Empire of the East, rebuilt by the Germans during the first world war for military reasons.

Tying Transilvania to Valahia and Oltenia, the road was established by the Austrians in 1731, when they desired a trans-Carpathian link, for strategical reasons. Carol the II, also wanting a strategic road in the event of a war outbreak, through which to be able to cross the mountains with the heavy artillery and the infantry, establishes this road, which grants it the name of “the king’s road”. Transalpina road crosses all of the mountain plateau, yielding extreme sensations, leaving you breathless.

Before becoming known under the name of “the king’s road”, it was carrying the name “the devil’s road” or “the devil’s path”, designation given by the dangerousness, astounding and conflicting emotions (fear, wonder, astonishment) that were experienced by everybody that dared to cross this path. In 2008 there were initiated extensive works for its modernization, the investment rising to over 500 million of euros, which led to the enhancement and expansion of the road. There were numerous bigger bridges built, as well as smaller bridges, in order to allow its crossing by dozens of water collection ditches.

There were railings installed, reflective panels, gutters for the retrieval of water. Today, although less well-known, the Transalpina road becomes more and more popular, more famous, more visited, being crossed by hundreds of thousands of tourists annually. Enriched with multiple rest stops for tourists, where traditional dishes are being served, distinctive to the area, passed by herds of animals, accompanied by the local shepherds, surrounded by a mountainous scenery, hard to match, the Transalpina road became one of the main attractions of Romania. All that is left is gathering the courage to venture into this wondrous wildness… Join our unique Full Tour to Transalpina Highway today where you will be amazed by the beauty of this mountain road, similar to Transfagarasan!