The Transfăgărășan at a glance
The Transfăgărășan is the road DN 7C. It runs for about 151 km on the full road connection and reaches its highest point of about 2,042 m in the Bâlea area. The touristic part that most visitors mean is only a section of this road, so do not mix the section up with the full length.
The high section is not open all year. Whether you can cross depends on the season, the weather and the daily hours, and there is no fixed closing date to plan around. Always check the current status with the national road authority before you drive up. For other stops near Bran, see the Transylvania guide, and for tours that include the road, look at the Bran Castle tours.
Transfăgărășan opening dates: the 2026 season
Treat these as seasonal rules, not as a guarantee for your day.
Reopening in 2026
The high section between Bâlea Cascadă and Piscul Negru reopened on 12 June 2026 at 12:00.
Daily hours
You can drive the section from 07:00 to 21:00. At night there is no public passage on this part of the road.
The end of the season
There is no fixed winter closing date for 2026. Do not plan around a promise such as June to November. Snow can come early in the high mountains, so the road can be closed or cleared well before winter.
A weather warning is not the same as a closure. Check the road on the day, and keep a plan B for the same day, such as the old town of Brașov.
Our pick: a day on the Transfăgărășan from Brașov
A guided day trip on the high mountain road with hotel pick-up in Brașov.
Hand-picked tours, booked through Viator. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Transfăgărășan tours
Guided day trips and car-and-driver tours that include the Transfăgărășan and Bâlea, with live prices and availability. Check whether the high section is part of the route on your date.
Transfăgărășan highway and Bâlea Lake
What to expect on the high section.
The Bâlea area is the high end of the road, where the highest point lies. Conditions here can differ a lot from the valley, with early snow and poor visibility at times. Dress for the mountains, not for the town you left.
Check the current opening times and prices of any service in the Bâlea area before you rely on them. Do not assume that swimming in Bâlea Lake is allowed.
Bears on the Transfăgărășan: do not feed them
Wild brown bears live in these mountains.
Feeding wild brown bears is forbidden by law in any form. The fine is RON 10,000 to 30,000. The road authority warns against approaching and feeding bears, and asks you to report a risk to the authorities.
- Do not feed a bear, even from the car window.
- Do not walk toward a bear to take a photo.
- Do not expect a bear at the roadside. A sighting is never guaranteed.
If you want to see bears in a controlled setting, the bear sanctuary near Zărnești offers guided visits only.
Plan your Transfăgărășan day
A short checklist.
Plan inside the driving window
Start early enough to be back down before 21:00. After that the high section is closed to the public.
Check the road, then the weather
Look at the road status first and the forecast second. A clear valley does not mean a clear pass.
Choose your transport
You can join a tour or drive yourself. For hire cars and airport links, see getting there. Romania uses a new electronic road toll system since October 2026, so check how it applies to your vehicle.
Plan the rest of your trip
More stops around Bran.
Transfăgărășan: frequently asked questions
When is the Transfăgărășan open?
In 2026 the high section reopened on 12 June at 12:00 and can be driven from 07:00 to 21:00. There is no fixed closing date, so check the current status before you go.
Can I drive the Transfăgărășan at night?
No. There is no public passage on the high section at night.
How long is the Transfăgărășan?
The full road connection is about 151 km, with a highest point of about 2,042 m in the Bâlea area. The popular high section is shorter than the full length.
Is the Transfăgărășan open in winter?
Do not count on it. There is no fixed closing date, and snow can arrive early in the high mountains. Check the road status before you travel.
Can I feed bears on the road?
No. Feeding wild brown bears is forbidden in any form and carries a fine of RON 10,000 to 30,000. Do not approach them either.