Riding the Transalpina Highway from Novaci to Sebes takes you on a rollercoaster ride through the Parang Mountain range in the Carpathians. Twisting through fantastic bends up the highest paved road in Romania, with its highest point at 2145m on the Urdele pass, the road climbs and dives and remains pleasantly open for the majority of the route, offering fantastic views over the surrounding mountains and countryside. Known by locals as the Kings road, it was first opened by King Charles II in 1938, rebuilt during the second world war and finally transformed into the superb highway it is today between 2007 and 2012.

Planning your ride on the Transalpina Highway

Since this stunning mountain route was officially opened in 2012 it has remained in fairly good condition, offering smooth tarmac for most of its length. It gets a bit patchy here and there, mostly due to freezing winter conditions, but road tyres will handle it with no problems. The worst surfaces are mostly on the Southern end of the route, and you may come across unannounced roadworks.
The road is fairly open for much of its length, allowing you to see far ahead and enjoy the ride, and while there are some narrower sections with unguarded drops, it’s far easier to navigate than the switchbacks of the Transfagarasan Highway and offers a great, more fluid riding experience. Fuel is not an issue and can be found in and around Sebes and Novaci, North and South of the pass. It’s best to avoid weekends, instead aim for a nice weekday ride to avoid traffic.

Accommodation and food

There are many traditional guest houses along the Transalpina Highway, in particular more to the south end which offer very affordable and cozy rooms, normally with breakfast included. On the North side, Sebes is a nice little town, again with several hotels and guesthouses, and is a nice place to spend a long evening. Ranca, on the Southern end of the route, is a ski resort that offers lots of guesthouses and is a nice area to stay.
There aren’t many campsites around the route, however a determined camper would have more luck on the Southern end and could likely find a suitable field, though it is worth asking some of the farmers who own land nearby. You can also try your luck at some of the guest houses as they might allow you to pitch up outside.
Food is readily available along the Transalpina Highway, with many of the guesthouses operating a restaurant also. Also look out for stands on the side of the road selling traditional smoked cheeses and meats along with other goods that are locally made.

Weather considerations

The Transalpina Highway closes over winter, generally from late October until May, but can open as late as July depending on the weather. Due to the high altitude of much of the pass, snow and ice are frequent, making the road inaccessible. Information can be found online, or in Sebes and Novaci. Even during the summer months, mist and rain are fairly frequent, and the temperature drops the higher you go. Fall is a fantastic time to ride the route, as the forests turn from green to shades of red, orange and yellow.

Sights

Enjoy the stunning scenery along the entire route as you ride the Transalpina Highway, from dense forests to open mountain passes looking over the Carpathians. Dotted along the route there are several ski resorts that are all worth a peek in, with opportunities to hike being rife. The most well-known is Ranca, and may make a nice place to rest for the day. There are three large mountain lakes along the route, all of which are a good place to stop for a rest, with the most popular being the crystal clear Lake Oasa.

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