Făgăraş Mountains

Info

The Făgăraş Mountains are part of the Southern Carpathians and guard part of the south side of Transylvania.

During summer and autumn (July-October) they can be accessed from DN 7C road also known as Transfăgărăşan, which makes the connection between Muntenia and Transylvania. The road starts in Bascov village and ends at the crossroad with DN1, between Sibiu and Braşov, near Cârţişoara.

Other important points of departure start from the northern slope: Făgăraş, Sebeş, Breaza, Voila, Sâmbăta de Jos, Victoria or Avrig.

From the south, the most used one are Curtea de Argeş, Sălătrucu, Căpăţâneni, Brădet.

Many refuge and cabins will be found on the north summit.

You can go up to Bâlea lake by cable car everyday (if weather allows) between 9:00-17:00.

Discover

Majestically guarding the southern part of Transylvania, the Făgăraş Mountains are the most massive and highest mountains of Romania, and thus an irresistible tourist attraction. Bordered to the west by the Olt Valley and to the east by the Dâmboviţa Valley, the so-called Transylvanian Alps form a massive block out of which eight peaks of over 2 500 m shoot out, the highest being Moldoveanu peak - 2 544 m.

The Făgăraş Mountains include many unique tourist attractions such as the various glacial lakes and cirque glaciers (Bâlea, Avrig, Capra or Doamna); the Transfăgărăşan road, the most spectacular mountain road in the country, a true jewel that offers breathtaking views; Vidraru lake and Dam, but also historical vestiges such as lad the Impaler's fortress Poenari.

The surrounding valleys, as well as the ridge, are the starting points for numerous mountain trails. These will take you through deep forests, to belvedere points or to multicoloured meadows and grasslands. If you are lucky enough, you might get to see chamois, marmots or deer. If you are adequately equipped for hikes, you can take the trail Stan’s Valley, which means about 5 hours of hiking. It is packed with waterfalls, climbing steps and steep slopes. A shorter and more accessible trail (only 3 hours) is the one on Sâmbăta valley, which is also very picturesque and charming.

The Făgăraș Mountains are an excellent place for those amongst you who are more adventurous.

Besides the classical hiking trails, these mountains offer many other recreational opportunities such as bungee jumping at Vidraru dam or ski and snowboarding on the Bâlea slopes, where snow sometimes persist for up to eight months a year.

The foothills of the Făgăraş Mountains provide a perfect setting for the many historical and cultural attractions.

Thus, if you come from the north, you should not miss the Făgăraş Fortress, and in Cârţişoara, the Badea Cârţan Ethnographic Museum or Cârţa Monastery. Near Braşov, you will find the cave churches or the Temple of the Ursites in the monastic complex of Şinca Veche. On the southern slope, you will discover the monastery and the cave church Corbii de Piatră, considered to be the oldest cave monastery in Romania, or the legendary Curtea de Argeş Monastery.

Did you know?

The Transfăgărăşan, the spectacular 92-kilometer mountain road that goes up to 2 042 m altitude, passes through 27 viaducts, bridges and tunnels.

Conservation facts

The Făgăraş Mountains are a Natura 2000 site, and the Făgăraş Mountains Association supports and encourages the development of sustainable tourism by preserving and protecting species and habitats and by raising the awareness of local communities and tourists.