Transalpina (DN67C)
Romania, europe
146 km
2,145 m
difficult
July to September
The Transalpina, officially DN67C, is a 146-kilometer mountain road crossing the Southern Carpathians in Romania, reaching a peak elevation of 2,145 meters at the Urdele Pass. Often overshadowed by its more famous neighbor the Transfagarasan, the Transalpina is actually the highest paved road in Romania and offers a wilder, less crowded driving experience through equally dramatic mountain scenery.
The road connects Novaci in Gorj County to Sebes in Alba County, passing through the Parang Mountains and the Sureanu range. Originally built as a military route during World War II by German forces, it was largely neglected until a major reconstruction project paved the entire route by 2012. The landscape transitions from dense beech forests through alpine meadows to barren rocky terrain above the tree line. Herds of sheep and their guardian dogs are commonly encountered, and the road passes several traditional sheepfolds where travelers can buy fresh cheese.
Where is it?
Transalpina (DN67C) is located in Southern Carpathians, Romania (europe). Coordinates: 45.3489, 23.6697
Driving Tips
Open mid-June to October depending on snow. No guardrails on many sections. Fuel up in Novaci or Sebes as there are no stations on the mountain. Watch for sheep on the road.
Road Surface
Paved asphalt, some rough patches
Road Details
- Country
- Romania
- Continent
- europe
- Region
- Southern Carpathians
- Length
- 146 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,145 m
- Difficulty
- difficult
- Surface
- Paved asphalt, some rough patches
- Best Season
- July to September
- Coordinates
- 45.3489, 23.6697
Related Roads in europe
Grimsel Pass
🇨🇠Switzerland
The Grimsel Pass at 2,164 meters connects the Hasli Valley in the Bernese Oberland with the upper Rhone Valley in Valais, Switzerland. The 38-kilometer road crosses a stark, granite landscape of hydroelectric reservoirs, barren rock faces, and glacial terrain that feels almost lunar in character. The pass has been an important trade route since the Middle Ages, when it served as a connection between the German-speaking and French-speaking parts of Switzerland. The road passes the impressive Grimselsee and Raterichsbodensee reservoirs, their turquoise waters held back by massive concrete dams. The landscape is notably different from other Swiss passes, dominated by smooth granite slabs polished by ancient glaciers, with very little vegetation at higher elevations. The Grimsel Hospiz, a historic inn at the summit, has served travelers for centuries. The pass forms part of the classic Swiss three-pass circuit together with the Susten and Furka passes, a loop that many consider the finest day's driving in Switzerland.
Trollstigen
🇳🇴 Norway
Trollstigen, meaning "The Troll's Path," is one of Norway's most iconic and dramatic mountain roads. Located in Rauma Municipality in More og Romsdal county, this serpentine road climbs 858 meters through eleven hairpin bends carved into the mountainside. The road was completed in 1936 after eight years of construction and has since become one of Norway's top tourist attractions, drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. The road ascends alongside the spectacular Stigfossen waterfall, which plunges 320 meters down the rock face. At the summit, a viewing platform designed by Reiulf Ramstad Architects juts out over the valley, offering breathtaking views of the zigzagging road below and the surrounding peaks of Bispen, Kongen, and Dronningen. The gradient reaches 9% in places, and the road is narrow enough that large vehicles must take extreme care navigating the hairpin turns. Trollstigen is only open during the summer months, typically from late May to October, as heavy snowfall makes the route impassable in winter. Due to the steep grade and tight switchbacks, vehicles over 12.4 meters in length are prohibited. The road forms part of the Norwegian Scenic Route Geiranger-Trollstigen, one of eighteen designated scenic routes in Norway that showcase the country's most extraordinary natural landscapes.
E10 Lofoten Islands Road
🇳🇴 Norway
The E10 through the Lofoten Islands in northern Norway is a 170-kilometer road connecting the mainland at Bjerkvik with the fishing village of A at the southwestern tip of the archipelago. The road crosses the dramatic island chain via a series of bridges, tunnels, and causeways, passing through a landscape of jagged granite peaks rising directly from the Norwegian Sea, sheltered fishing harbors, and white sand beaches. The Lofoten Islands sit above the Arctic Circle yet enjoy a relatively mild climate thanks to the Gulf Stream. The E10 threads through villages where traditional red wooden fishing cabins (rorbuer) line the harbors, and where fish-drying racks (hjell) are loaded with cod in the spring. The road passes through several undersea tunnels, and the bridges spanning the narrow channels between islands offer spectacular views. In summer, the midnight sun bathes the mountains in golden light around the clock, while winter brings the northern lights. The final stretch to the village of A, with its preserved cod-liver oil factory and stockfish museum, is particularly atmospheric.
Stelvio Pass
🇮🇹 Italy
The Stelvio Pass (Passo dello Stelvio) is the highest paved mountain pass in the Eastern Alps at 2,757 meters above sea level. Located in northern Italy near the Swiss border, it connects Bormio in the province of Sondrio with the Adige Valley and Merano. The road features a staggering 48 numbered hairpin bends on the northern side from Prad and 34 on the eastern side from Bormio, making it one of the most technically demanding drives in Europe. Originally constructed between 1820 and 1825 by the Austrian Empire under engineer Carlo Donegani, the Stelvio Pass was built as a vital trade and military route connecting the Austrian province of Lombardy with the rest of the empire. The road climbs through alpine meadows, past glaciers, and along precipitous cliff edges. It has been a regular feature of the Giro d'Italia cycling race since 1953, where it is considered one of the most punishing climbs in professional cycling. The pass is typically open from June to September, depending on snow conditions. The northern approach from Prad is considered the most spectacular, with its seemingly endless series of switchbacks visible from above like a concrete ribbon draped across the mountainside. At the summit, a small settlement offers restaurants, hotels, and the Stelvio Pass Museum, which documents the road's history and its role in World War I, when fierce fighting took place in these mountains.