TRANSFAGARASAN EXPRESS: TRANSALPINA TRANSBUCEGI BY MOTORBIKE
This enthralling motorcycle ride is called "Transfăgărășan Express" because the target is to get quickly in Romania, where to spend some time riding your motorcycle up and down, back and forth on the three mythical roads in Transylvania motorcyclists love so much, such as the Transfăgărășan, Transalpina, and TransBucegi roads.
The tour starts from Budapest, Hungary, and will end here, too where you can get very easily from any Western or Northern European country. Since it is a linear tour you will be able to experience the thrill of riding your bike in both directions on the above mentioned fantastic Romanian roads. Well, same roads but with different perspectives and different, but always breathtaking views!
Let's start then from Budapest in Hungary. Before leaving do not miss a visit to this beautiful city lying on Buda's hills on one side and on the plain of Pest on the other side, crossed by the "The Blue Danube", according to the Walz of Johann Strauss. Left behind the Hungarian capital south, passing by Szeged, H, you will get to Romania. Following the files of our Roadbook, you will enter the most beautiful roads in the Carpathian.
Transfăgărășan Road:
For many motorcyclists, it is the most beautiful road, where to ride a motorcycle! It winds among the Făgăraș Mountains group which is part of the Carpathian chain. The road was built for military purposes, it is about 95 kilometers long and connects Wallachia with Transylvania. The Transfăgărășan is a very winding road that reaches 2,034 meters above sea level featuring 80 heart-stopping hairpin bends and lots of curves. So, you will have here everything needed for a thrilling, unforgettable riding!
At the top, near the small glacial Balea lake which is a great tourist attraction, you will go through the longest tunnel in Romania. Don't be frightened, just some 884 claustrophobic meters and you will be out. You should stop at the lake, where there are many kiosks selling food, drinks, and local products. The view all around you is breathtaking. Near Balea lake, there is the Balea Waterfall which can be reached by following a path in the woods.
Riding your motorbike on the Transfăgărășan Road uphill is obviously more fun but on the way down, you can better enjoy the beautiful views and the hairpin bends below you are about to pass through in a few minutes. Since you will do both directions you will not miss anything!
On your way, you will pass by the ruins of Poenari Castle where you can have a stop and visit the real dwelling of Dracula, while the castle of Bran visited by lots of tourists and considered his home despite that Dracula never lived here. Also, the Transfăgărășan Road crosses the artificial Lake Vidraru with a spectacular dam 165 m high and 305 m long.
Transalpina road:
It is another panoramic high mountain road in Transylvania, Romania and for many motorcyclists, it is even more thrilling than the Transfăgărășan.
The Transalpina is about 135 km long, and here too you can experience the chills while riding your two-wheeler on this road dotted with lots of curves and hairpin turns. This is especially true for the winding stretch nearby Urdele pass (2,145m above sea level). Along this road too, you will enjoy amazing panoramas! Despite it was paved new some years ago, be careful while riding your motorbike because the road conditions are not always good: you will find precipices without guardrails, short gravel stretches, and very often the road is wrapped in thick fog. Furthermore, it also can be blocked by small landslides. Watch out for the holes, too!
TransBucegi road:
The n°713 is a recently built road with the aim of promoting Romanian tourism thanks to the great successes of the Transfăgărășan and the Transalpina roads, especially among motorcyclists. Now TransBucegi is also considered to be one of the most scenic roads in the country, the third highest one in Romania after Transfăgărăşan and Transalpina. In fact, it reaches 1925 m above sea level on the Bucegi Plateau featuring a difference in altitude of 1,165 m compared to Sinaia, 760 m.a.s.l.
TransBucegi was inaugurated in 2013, it is a paved and well-maintained road. Riding here your motorcycle, in the heart of nature and surrounded by breathtaking views will make you live an unforgettable experience!
On the Bucegi Plateau, you will find Pestera Ialomitei, an ancient Orthodox church and two rock formations sculpted by the wind and erosion: Babel (the old ladies) and the Sphinx. Stop your bike and just walk around for a while. At Lake Bolbeci you will enjoy stunning panoramas.
