Anyone here driven the Transfagarasan in Romania?
Discussion
I did it a couple of months ago on the Mongol rally. Admittedly, in a very overloaded LDV ambulance.
It really is an incredible bit of road, exactly how it looked like on Top Gear.
We Spotted three cars on GB numberplates while we were there and a pair of nice Corvettes which were quite out of the ordinary for Romania.
You really do spend a lot of time climbing and then a lot of time descending. We overheated a couple of times going up and totally fried the brakes going down in 1st gear. A couple of the run off areas on the outside of the hairpins consisted of a terrifying drop in to the abyss but aside from that it's an amazing place. Just wish I was doing it in a nicer car.
Some of the lower parts of the pass around the lake have a bit of a crumbly road surface but they were carrying out repairs and all of the good bits are lovely and smooth.
Was really quiet when we went through. Only saw about 6-7 cars that weren't on Romanian plates. We were truly going at snail pace in the ambulance and we rarely had any cars behind us, never more than three.
It really is an incredible bit of road, exactly how it looked like on Top Gear.
We Spotted three cars on GB numberplates while we were there and a pair of nice Corvettes which were quite out of the ordinary for Romania.
You really do spend a lot of time climbing and then a lot of time descending. We overheated a couple of times going up and totally fried the brakes going down in 1st gear. A couple of the run off areas on the outside of the hairpins consisted of a terrifying drop in to the abyss but aside from that it's an amazing place. Just wish I was doing it in a nicer car.
Some of the lower parts of the pass around the lake have a bit of a crumbly road surface but they were carrying out repairs and all of the good bits are lovely and smooth.
Was really quiet when we went through. Only saw about 6-7 cars that weren't on Romanian plates. We were truly going at snail pace in the ambulance and we rarely had any cars behind us, never more than three.
Edited by deemo on Tuesday 6th December 01:27
Bump!
RedRose123 said:
Anyone here driven the Transfagarasan in Romania, looks fantastic in Topgear?
I plan to drive this route in a couple of weeks. We have a hotel booked along the way, but so far not been able to find an interesting hire car. So we'll probably go native and experience it in a diesel Dacia. When in Rome...Edited by Wicker Man on Tuesday 12th June 09:08
Get up early for it, traffic is a nightmare once the other tourists get on it!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sy3b6pEroJw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sy3b6pEroJw
I did it late june, with a mx-5 that I rented from Bucharest. It's about an hour of a drive from Bucharest. As I drove it during a weekday during business hours, there was very little traffic. Highly recommended. Heres a video of mine ( I have a few others too).
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=9cMmY7dmsHw
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=9cMmY7dmsHw
Edited by Finlandese on Tuesday 12th June 11:35
Finlandese said:
I did it late june, with a mx-5 that I rented from Bucharest. It's about an hour of a drive from Bucharest. As I drove it during a weekday during business hours, there was very little traffic. Highly recommended. Heres a video of mine ( I have a few others too).
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=9cMmY7dmsHw
That's a video of the Goodwood Revival.https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=9cMmY7dmsHw
Edited by Finlandese on Tuesday 12th June 11:35
Wicker Man said:
Yes, that's better! Great video!
But have you any top-tips about where to get an interesting hire car in the Bucharest area?
I just googled the place when I arrived to Bucharest. It might have been this:But have you any top-tips about where to get an interesting hire car in the Bucharest area?
http://www.romania-rentacar.com/bucharest/cars_ren...
In any case, it was third gen MX-5 and the rental Company was in the central Bucharest and it was a pleasure to hire from them.
If you are in Bucharest, check out the Tiriac collection By the airport!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VAaz8taZRg8
Another video from the trip:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2W2gqSIoQA&t=...
Well, as of the 1st July, the Transfagarasan highway is now officially open but it might be getting a bit busy.
But I drove it last week, and save for the occasional gaggle of touring motorcycles, had it all to myself.
Here's the view from near the high point at Balea Lac:
We baulked at paying Euro120/day for an MX5 so went for a Golf TDI instead. I did get car envy when I saw a 5.0 Mustang on route, but to be honest, most of the bends were taken in 2nd & 3rd so a 2L turbo diesel was fine.
But I drove it last week, and save for the occasional gaggle of touring motorcycles, had it all to myself.
Here's the view from near the high point at Balea Lac:
We baulked at paying Euro120/day for an MX5 so went for a Golf TDI instead. I did get car envy when I saw a 5.0 Mustang on route, but to be honest, most of the bends were taken in 2nd & 3rd so a 2L turbo diesel was fine.
I used to go on it every year. Unfortunately a big chunk of it is in dire need of resurfacing if you wish for a spirited drive. Otherwise if you're just there for the sightseeing it's ok I guess. Avoid the weekends like the plague, big traffic jams of tourists make the normal 3 hour crossing into 6.
May I suggest the Transalpina road in the same region, far fewer tourists, better tarmac, and better views imo.
May I suggest the Transalpina road in the same region, far fewer tourists, better tarmac, and better views imo.
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