The Transrarau is a highway which unveils the fascinating world of stone in the Rarau Mountains, with its fairytale-like landscapes.  Along the 10 km between Chiril village on Bistritei Valley and Pojorata on Moldovei Valley, the mountain route unveils impressive, white rocks, secular forests and open glades. The serpentines continue up to Raraul peak, at an altitude of 1651 m, offering an amazing view.  Thanks to its heights and landscapes, the Transrarau is very similar to other well-known alpine highways, namely the Transalpina and the Transfagarasan. The traveler will discover the wilderness of natural sceneries and the picturesque harmony specific to mountain villages.

Chiril - Rarau Peak

The Transrarau starts from Bistritei Valley, a very beautiful, quiet area, rich in tourist attractions. Near Chiril village you will find the Zugreni Gorges, dug in the Bistrita River between the two massifs – Pietrosul Bistritei and Giumalau. Surrounded by rocky walls, the water here forms racing whirlpools, small cascades and islands. On one of them you will find the Zugreni Chalet. You can practice fishing, zip-lining and rafting here, or you can have a picnic in the specially designed areas, fully enjoying nature’s beauty. From this point, the trails lead to Vatra Dornei, a perfect resort for those who love winter sports, to the Bicazului Gorges or to Lacul Rosu (the Red Lake).

From Chiril, the highway climbs up wide serpentines, leaving behind the houses scattered on the fields and making way through the rich coniferous forests.  On the left, you can see the peaks of the Giumalau massif, while on the right, the panorama opens over the Slatioara forest. The route intersects with a road leading to the Rarau Monastery, a small halidom dating back to 1538. It is said that during one of the Tartars’ invasions, prince Petru Rares took refuge in the mountains together with his family, and his wife, Lady Elena, found shelter at some monks. As a thank you gift, the prince erected this church, which now houses two miracle-working icons. The legends say that one of these icons hadn’t been painted by a human hand to begin with, and that it sometimes disappeared from its frame, coming back only as a result of the monks' arduous payers.

The next portion of the route reaches near the highest point of the Rarau massif – Peak Rarau (1651m). The splendor of Pietrele Doamnei (The Lady’s Rocks) unveils generously; the courageous can escalade the great ivory rocks, enjoying a truly amazing panorama. The mountain peaks, the quiet hills, the golden haystacks, the sheepfolds and the flocks make up a charming background, inviting the tourist to go hiking. You can also find lodgings at the Rarau Chalet, and only one kilometer away you will find the biggest karst formation of this massif, namely the Bats' Cave, which is not open for visitors however.

Between Chiril and Rarau Chalet, the speed limit is 30 km/h. The road is quite difficult because of the narrow curves, hence crossing the Transrarau requires a great deal of caution and skill.

Rarau Peak - Pojorata

From the Rarau Chalet to Pojorata commune, the route covers an area which combines rich forests and vast plateaus. A few accentuated serpentines lead to the Fundul Colbului Saddle from where you can see the stately Giumalau peak (1857m) and The Land of Dorna in the distance.  From here, the road smoothly twists near some tourist stopovers up to the Moldovei Valley, surrounded by the Adam and Eve crests.

The Rarau Mountains are easily accessible and ran across by a vast network of highways. The marked trails, showing the beauties on the massif start from Chiril, Slatioara, Campulung Moldovenesc and Pojorata. Even if you find numerous accommodation options at the foot of the mountain, we recommend you to spend the night in a tent in order to enjoy the quietness of the heights and the splendid colors of the sunrise.

The Transrarau is a challenging road, which combines adrenaline with the breathtaking views. The highway facilitates access to some of the most important tourist attractions of the massif: the Rarau Monastery, the Lady’s Rocks, the Rarau Chalet and Peak, and it travels along extremely picturesque places. The route can be traversed on foot or on two wheels, intercrossing marked trails along which you will discover other aspects of the mountain’s richness. The Transrarau introduces you to a unique adventure, one in which you can recharge your batteries away from the commotion of the cities. You will enjoy wild landscapes, pure serenity and fresh air.

[An article written by Andreea Bertea]