Transfagarasan road (partially ) closed for approx. 1 month

[rasomon]

Originally Posted by Tigly

Hi Rasomon,

Transalpina is open now. I just read on a romanian bike forum a ride report from 12-13th of May 2012.
Cheers

Tigly

Thank you for the info!

[Ben Carufel]

I drove the Transfagarasan from the Northern side yesterday. It is indeed closed at Balea Lake. There is 2 meter deep snow across the entire road starting about 150 meters from the tunnel.

We were told there is no access past the lodge at Balea Lake (Cabana Paltinu) for either motorcycles or cars (at least the cars part was obvious).

Today I drove up the Transfagarasan from the South side. I only went as far as the dam at the South end of Lake Vidaru and then turned back. The roads were clear and fine all the way up to the dam, so I can't say if/where the blockage is past there.

My friends were convinced (despite my insistence otherwise) that the Transalpina was closed off, so they refused to let me drag them with me to drive it. Oh well, I'll save that for another trip.

Here's a quick shot I snapped on the way back down yesterday, about 1.5km below Balea Lake:

[Le Loup Fou]

Transalpina is fully opened - we did it this week-end, at the Rally Camp. But take care at the working places along the route, especially in foggy conditions or during night rides.
Transfagarasan is closed until 30-th june - this is on the site of the National Roads Company. If no other problems, starting on july 1-st you could use it. And yes, the tunnel is closed not only by snow. It would be stupid not to have gates at the entrances and allow snow get inside.... In this case the snow would be protected by heat and sun and last there much much more, making the tunnel useless.... So you can't go around these barriers :)
If you cross the bariers Goatie said, in the winter, the legal problem is not so big - you could pay with the life, if avalanche strikes, or a big money penalty for the mountain rescue.... I don't think is worth it. An avalanche noise is not a thing to be sorry for not hearing it. I heard it tree times over me (in other conditions, and each time in Fagaras), so i'm really lucky - but i don't wish to repeat the experience.
In this period, the southern side of Transfagarasan, from Curtea de Arges to Piscu Negru and to the tunnel, you could do it on motobikes (maybe with cars to), taking the detour from Vidraru dam to Cumpana - on the unpaved road, on the other bank of Vidraru lake. Attention: this detour of about 10-15 km means off-road riding, so you will find mud, bumps and other stuff like this, so higher ground clearance and not so on-road tyres helps.

[romek]

Transfargarasan is fully open. We did it yesterday from North to South. No ice in the tunel.

[therion]

Originally Posted by romek

Transfargarasan is fully open. We did it yesterday from North to South. No ice in the tunel.

Great !
We will ride to Sibiu next wednesday.
Greetz
Therion

[neighbor's goat]

Great news, so I guess this thread can be now closed, until the end of September .

[robxxx]

Originally Posted by neighbor's goat

Great news, so I guess this thread can be now closed, until the end of September .

Oooohh.....lets hope VERY late September. I'm planning on being there around 3rd week of September.

[jetjackson]

Another point in here, don't ride these on the weekend if you have a choice. We went to Transalpina yesterday and the traffic was rediculous. People EVERYWHERE, parked up on the sides of the road. Drivers just stopping in the middle of the road. As said careful on Transalpina as the tarmac is new and thick and drops off a good foot on every side, so if you overcook the corner you are coming off and it wont be pretty.

We have opted to wait until Monday to do the Transfagarasan rather than do it today.

[neighbor's goat]

Somehow off topic: Guys, especially you, from the US: I've just returned from your country, where, among many others, I went through the Beartooth Pass, from Billings towards Yellowstone NP: Sorry to say this, but compared to that, Transfagarasan is merely a sad joke. I mean, if you happen to be in Europe, or Romania anyway, yes, it's definitely worth taking the road through Transfagarasan; but just coming from the US especially to ride this road, well... you've got my point .

In terms of winding roads in the US, just take California 190 from Sequoia National Park towards Lake Success. It really blew my mind !

[bikerfish]

Neighbors goat, glad you enjoyed our beartooth! I've ridden it maybe 4 times, never fails to impress, although I do dream of hitting those wonderful passes in the alps one day!

[JohnnyTh]

What time of the year do the Transfagarasan pass normaly open. im going down to Romania in late may.

[jesperd]

Originally Posted by JohnnyTh

What time of the year do the Transfagarasan pass normaly open. im going down to Romania in late may.

I was there last year in June, where it was closed due to rock slides. I could ride to the top, but the gate was closed. Lots of snow though, but had it been open, I would assume they had cleared the last bit too.

I believe they officially say it opens on June 1st, but I would guess it depends on the amount of snow. No matter what, I'd give it a try. If it's closed it would be so at the top, where you just can't enter the tunnel. It's a great road even if you have to go back the same way you came. I took the north side.

Consider the Transalpina as well. They don't close it, but snow can be an issue at those altitudes. I'm going there late may too.

[dwdufour]

Some friends and I are also heading down in late May. I am concerned about Transfagarasan being closed and the conditions on Transalpina. Have you guys worked up a route yet?

[JohnnyTh]

Guys? what guys? :) im all alone.
Not im stil looking into it. There is so many great roads in this area so im not sure. Maybe il just go up the side of it if the top is closed. I will update here if i know anything more. A inmate here is from Romania maybe he can suply some usefull intell when Im closer to leaving.

[Direktor]

Any news about closed road? We are planing this year in July to go to Transalpina and Transfagr..