OFF73 DN12C – Izvorul Oltului – Bălan

We are on DN12C between Gheorgheni and Bicaz right at the exit of Gheorgheni. From here we will enter the county road 125A towards Bălan. We cross the bridge over the Belcina River and go straight ahead up the Fagul Înalt River. The road is well paved and fairly well maintained. We climb smoothly from 850m altitude. After a few kilometers the climb becomes a little more sustained and we come across a few pairs of hairpins.

A little more and we exit the forest into a large clearing. Here is the top of the Olt Pass. We are at 1230m and here a few hundred meters to the right is the Olt spring. You will find it easily because it is marked with an inscribed stone

From here we begin the descent into the Olt Valley. We enter the forest again. The descent is not difficult, we still have a good road and a smooth slope. At some point we reach a clearing at an intersection. This road, if you check on the map, seems to reach the Pângărați pass. I never had time to check but I would be curious if it is really possible.

Further on, the road descends more and more smoothly and as we approach Bălan, the forest thins out. A little more and we will reach the first reservoir on the Olt River.

After passing the Mesteacanul dam, we go another 2-3 km and enter the town of Bălan where we exit onto asphalt.