Today we are riding one of the best known routes of Romania; the «Transfagarasan» pass. The road crosses the part of Carpathian Mountains named Muntii Fagarasului. It is the highest road of the country (altitude 2.035m.). The tunnel at the highest point remains open only 3 months every year from 7pm to 9mm. It was manufactured after the command of Nicolae Ceausescu’s. He desperately wanted to win the battle with nature and train somehow his soldiers in constructing under severe situations. Before leaving, we had a coffee at the terrace were we were the previous night. There we found Mirabella working. We had promised that we would pass by. It was around 12 when we left full of curiosity for the «Transfagarasan» pass.
The way (7C) begins from Cartisoara (4km from the E68 node) and follows a 15km route up to the settlement Balea Cascada, where a big cascade is found. The landscape throughout the way is full of green trees. After that (roughly 1.200m. altitude) the way continues in a helical manner, with good paving quality. There is also a plate which informs if the passage is open. As the way climbs, the landscape becomes more impressive for the next 15km with low green germination. We met enough local motorcyclists but also foreigners, bikers, hikers and a lot of tourists. Near the tunnel we found a lot of free campers. The view we enjoyed at the highest point was unique! Lake Balea Lac which is found near there is frozen during the winter.
Passing the dark tunnel, we had a sense of being in a cave! At the exit we could see snow, while Romania was prevailed by unusual high temperatures! The landscape was really beautiful! From that point it begins a downhill 28km way to the lake Lacul Vidraru, equally beautiful and impressive. Along the way we could see sources with running cold water, small waterfalls and free campers. Reaching the lake the landscape becomes more impressive but the street is full of patches. We rode across the lake for approximately 25-30km. Then we started looking for lodging because wanted to avoid all the adventure of the previous day. We led to the Cabana “Valea cu Pesti ", a small hotel with view on the lake. It was a rather bad hotel but we finally decided to spend the night. The price of a tree bedroom was 140 RON. We arranged our things and had lunch around 4mm. Later we laid down to get some rest. As it is obviously, we are tired enough and our rhythm is slowed down as we head down and south and as the temperature is increased...
