+40 743 377 969
adela.guide@gmail.com
Winter can be so great! Even though, most of travelers prefer to have a tour on the Transfagarasan road during the summer season (check our Transfagarasan Summer Road Trip), I personally prefer winter – the views are breathtaking, there are less people, the cable car ride is fun, we can spot more wild animals (brown bears, wild goats, fox), we can visit the ice hotel!
Jeremy Clarkson, the famous Top Gear show host, after shooting one of the episodes on the Transfagarasan road called it “the best road in the world”. Located at about 2000 m altitude (6500 ft) in the Carpathian Mountains, the road and the view are totally astonishing.
There are many characteristics that contribute to a great driving road. For example, a string of great corners, probably draped over a mountain, breathtaking views, a nice, remote location to ensure you’ve got it mostly to yourself. Undeniably, changing weather makes the experience even more authentic.
The Transfagarasan Highway has everything a great drive in the mountains should have but, above everything, fascinating views. We suggest you a great day trip up in the mountains where we’ll enjoy the winding road views and a stroll around the Balea Lake.
The tour combines the experience of exploring one of the first Cistercian Abbeys in Transylvania and the breathtaking view of the famous Transfagarasan road.
At Carta we’ll learn interesting things about the Cistercian monks who came from France, in the 13th century, to built monasteries in Transylvania. There are so many great, fascinating stories about these monks and their way of living. Driving the road is a great challenge but your attention will also be taken by the amazing view: high rocky mountains, fresh springs, a spectacular waterfall, a beautiful frozen glacier lake.
Check here for the weather forcast and road conditions!
This is a day trip that normally starts and ends up in Sibiu. But, we can easily customize it, with departure and/ or arrival also in Brasov. The start hour and the meeting location are always set together with our guests.
This is a flexible day trip, the meeting location and the departure are set according to our guests’ requests.
The tour is about 7 hours.
We’ll drive on the Transfagarasan road till the waterfall and the cable car. We park the car there and, then, we take the cable car till the top (the ride is about 15 minutes with amazing views).
Up, we’ll have a fun stroll in the snow and try to climb up a bit to the highest point to spot the Transfagarasan valley. We can visit the hotel of ice (one of the most beautiful in Europe) and, why not, have a hot tea at the ice bar :). For those who are brave enough, we can have a walk on the snow, on the frozen lake.
After our nordic experience, we’ll climb down, take the car and visit the Carta Cistercian Abbey. It will be a great Transfagarasan winter day trip experience and you’ll feel tired but refreshed at the end of the day.
Our first stop is at the cable car – we park the car here and we embark on a fun ride above the wide valley, the water fall and the fir tree forests. The views are breathtaking! The ride is about 15 minutes.
The cable car leaves us by the ice hotel and the frozen lake. We’ll have a snow walk, view the valley from above and even try to hike on the frozen lake. That’s an piece of adventure!
Let’s visit one of the most beautiful ice hotels in Europe. Each year, the ice hotel at Balea has a different theme with amazing sculptures and decorations. We can even have a drink at the ice bar!
Carta Abbey was built in the 13th century by the Cistercian monks arriving in these areas. During the centuries the construction changed its aspect, its architecture being, nevertheless, quite unique. It’s a great place to talk about the Cistercians, the Saxon Community, the First World War and the local community.
