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TRANSALPINA
The Transalpina is a road unveiling nature’s greatness and spectacle, the road closest to the clouds. The highest tourist route in Romania and the oldest national road in Europe, the Transalpina crosses the Parang Mountains between Saliste town in Sibiu County and Novaci town in Gorj County, connecting the two historical regions, Transylvania and Oltenia (or Lesser Wallachia). On a distance of nearly 150 km of stunning serpentines, mountain sceneries and human skill are combined in an overwhelming monument worthy of admiration.
On the Transalpina, the green of the grass and the blue of the sky seem to unite in a splendid view, of a moving beauty, meant to reward you with a refreshing state of mind. The adrenaline given by the narrow serpentines, the fresh mountain air, the murmur of the forest and the lofty crests turn this winding road into the perfect destination for those who feel the need to get away. Recharge your batteries away from the noisy cities in this unforgettable place, where silence is broken only by the birds of the sky.
"The King’s Road"
Many tales about the Transalpina have been told throughout time. It is either said that it was built by the Roman legions on their way to Sarmisegetuza, or that somewhere in the 18th -19th century, the locals contributed physically and financially to building this portion of road. It is certain that 'The Devil’s Trail' was a pastoral road in the beginning – an abrupt footpath used by the locals in Marginimea Sibiului to get to Wallachia. It was especially used by the shepherds with their flocks of sheep, but also by those crossing the mountains in order to keep their tradition when Catholicism was imposed upon them.
Later on, the Transalpina gained military importance, being paved by the Germans during the First World War, reconstructed during the inter-war period and inaugurated by King Carol II in 1938. The route was meant to serve as a strategic road for the mountain artillery. However, the Transalpina has been left forgotten for a long period of time until it was paved and reconditioned, becoming a passable tourist route, highly appreciated by the initiated.
Novaci - Ranca
Before heading for the open road, you should know that the portion between Ranca resort and Obarsia Lotrului is closed in winter season. Also, be sure to venture on the Transalpina with a car with high ground clearance and only after you fill up the tank, arming yourself with a maximum dose of resistance and skill. We recommend you drive through the portion south to north, starting from Novaci. Here, the road is bordered by stately, broadleaf and resinous forests, with oaks, spruce and fir trees bending over the highway until the view opens toward rocky alpine meadows. The temperatures drop significantly and the road climbs up wide serpentines, unveiling amazing sceneries up to Ranca, the most thriving resort on the Transalpina.
Ranca Resort
The locals, known as hospitable people, can be a reliable source of information, but you can learn more of the traditions of the place by visiting The Mountain Civilization Museum, situated at the entrance in Ranca. In the exhibition rooms you will find a genuine treasure of the history, culture and pastoral civilization of the Gorj area. The locals pride themselves with a unique lifestyle and culture and by visiting the museum you can put these claims to the test.
Throughout the year, Ranca receives hundreds of tourists eager to spend their vacation in the middle of nature. At an altitude of over 1600 meters, the peaks of the fir trees seem to touch the sky here, the air is fresh, clean, and you can hear the murmur of the springs. You shouldn’t worry about accommodation, as there are numerous board and lodgings, cottages, chalets and newly built hotels in Ranca, guaranteeing a comfortable stay. What makes the resort so attractive is the multitude of sports you can practice here, depending on the season. During winter, you have four ski tracks with chairlifts at your disposal: a beginners’ ski track at the center of the resort, one for advanced skiers continuing over the peak and one of medium difficulty. Near the entrance of the resort there is a night lit baby ski. You can get to the ski tracks by chairlift, from the foot of Papusa Peak. Those who love winter sports are encouraged to try ski touring or they can venture on their snowboard or snowmobile. During summer, air currents favor paragliding, for which the most popular locations are Papusa, Magura and Cerbului Peaks. Adrenaline seekers can chose for traveling through mountain routes by bike or off-road motorcycles, as there are endless off road possibilities in the area.
Ranca - Obarsia Lotrului
From Ranca, the road continues to climb up in serpentines, leaving the resort behind and going past Papusa de Jos and Papusa de Sus peaks up to the highest point of the road – the Urdele Pass. At a 2145 meters altitude, you will feel like on top of the world, almost reaching the skies. From 'Gorjului Roof' you will see immense abysses wherever you turn, a breathtaking view ready to impress anyone. From here, the road twists and turns through vast alpine meadows and white rocks up to Obarsia Lotrului. The altitude drops with nearly 800 meters in a smooth descent, not at all abrupt.
If you have sufficient time for a detour, approximately 20 km away from Obarsia Lotrului, in the Vidra-Voineasa area, you will find the Transalpina Ski Resort. Built recently, it guarantees you will have a good time on its seven ski tracks totaling a length of 9 km. The resort also has a chairlift and a telegondola. After the challenging drive on the Transalpina, have some fun in this resort. If the mantle of snow is insufficient, don’t turn back – the slopes will be practicable for ski and snowboard thanks to the snow cannons. All you have to do is enjoy your vacation in a fairytale-like environment!
Obarsia Lotrului - Sebes
Leaving Obarsia Lotrului behind, the road makes way through a wonderful fir tree forest, going down to Lake Oasa, a crystal clear water mirror in which the sky reflects. At the end of the embankment, the highway ramifies on the left, where at a distance of 18 km you will find the Sureanu ski domain, a location we recommend to those who love winter sports. Following the Transalpina, it only takes a little while to reach Taul Bistrei, a lake on whose shores grows a tall, rich vegetation, reflecting itself in the water.
From Sugag to Sebes there are 27 km throughout which there lie several fortresses: Sasciori, Cugir, Calnic. Built in the 12th century, the Sasciori medieval fortress functioned as a rural fortification, used to hold supplies for centuries on a row and which had military utility as well. Close to Salistea, Cugir is the oldest fortress, dating back to the 2nd or 1st century B.C.. Near Sebes, at the end of the route follows the Calnic fortress, initially built as a residence for the Saxon noblemen and later sold to the peasants' community.
At its inauguration in 1938, the Transalpina was traveled through in 8 hours. Today, Novaci-Sebes is a route of approximately 3-4 hours. It is not recommended to hurry on this winding road, with its narrow curves and abrupt slopes. Allow yourself some time to admire the spectacular sceneries from among the clouds, in a place in which nature displays its grandness and harmony.
Adrenaline on the Transalpina
Together with the Transfagarasan, the Transalpina takes adrenaline to its maximum for any driver. The endless serpentines, abrupt from place to place, make this highway a very popular route for motor lovers. The motor season starts in July with the 'Transalpin Mountain Sports Festival', a competition which includes running on forest roads and tourist trails, escalade and mountain raid. In August, bikers enjoy the adventure of pedaling at the altitude during the 'Transalpin Bike Marathon'. At the beginning of autumn, in September, the auto pilots test their skill on the Ranca-Novaci route during the National Coast Speed Championship.
Transalpina is, without a doubt, one of the most beautiful mountain areas in Romania, combining harmonious landscapes with a miraculous route, the quietness and the fresh mountain air with the lofty crests always covered by snow. The picturesqueness of the road, as it winds among the clouds more than on the asphalt will determine you to come back every time you need to charge your batteries and relax.
[An article written by Andreea Bertea]