Sinaia is home of the stunning Peles castle but if, while in or near town, you will feel the need for higher elevation, even fresher air and sweeping landscapes you can soak in some of Romania's most breathtaking vistas without even leaving your car. Just take the TransBucegi road from Sinaia to the Bucegi Mountains Plateau.
This beautiful cul-de-sac road will lead you to Bucegi Natural Park, a land which provides colorful flower and foliage displays as well as numerous hiking trails, that will lead you straight into the heart of nature.
This road is a great driving and hiking day-trip starting in Bucharest, Brasov or Sinaia and it can also be included in a multi-day Bucharest, Valea Prahovei and Southern Transylvania itinerary.
The TransBucegi – also called Drumul Babelor - the road to the "Senior Ladies" rock formation. - ranges in elevation from 2,495 feet at Sinaia to almost 6,316 feet at Bucegi National Park.
The Bucegi Mountains Plateau is also accessible – without a car - from the town of Busteni (4 miles north of Sinaia). One can hike the mountain from the resort town of Bușteni, through meandering paths among stunning views, or simply take the cable car (telecabina) up to the top. Most hiking paths that start up in Bucegi Plateau do not require extreme fitness or determination.
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TransBucegi Facts:
Begins: Sinaia / Cabana Dichiu
Ends: Cabana Piatra Arsa
Distance: 24 miles (39 kilometers)
Gateway Town: Sinaia (11 miles E)
Highest point: 6,316 ft (1,925 m)
Road condition: paved, good
Route time: one hour, without stops
Open end-to-end: year-round (weather permitting).
The TransBucegi is open year-round.
However, the road may be temporarily closed, during the winter,
when weather conditions/ abundant snow make it impassable.
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Points of note on or near TransBucegi:
Peles Castle in Sinaia, Romania's royal family summer retreat
Town of Sinaia historic casino
Bucegi Mountains Nature Park,
Padina and Pestera mountain chalets (acces by cable-car or hiking)
Hiking trails to: "The Senior Ladies" (Babele) and "Sphinx" (Sfinxul) rock formations,
Caraiman peak Heroes Monument,
Peaks Costila (8,173 ft.) and Omu (8,229 ft.),
Manastirea Ialomicioarei (monastery Ialomicioara),
Pestera Ialomicioarei (cave Ialomicioarei),
Lacul Bolboci (lake Bolboci),
Lacul Scropoasa (lake Scropoasa),
Turbaria Laptici (Laptici moss reserve),
Cheile Tatarului (Tatarului gorges)
Cheile Zanoagei (Zanoagei gorges).
TransBucegi scenic Route Map
Other Carpathian Mountains Scenic Drives:
TransFagarasan,
TransAlpina
