OFF55 Transcindrel (TET Romania)

TheTranscindrel road, as its name suggests, crosses the Cindrel Mountains through the southern part, East to West direction. It connects Valea Sadului with the Frumoasa river valley. This road is also a part of TET Romania route.

We ride it  from east to west. We started from the intersection with the county road 105G, which comes from Voineasea. Immediately after this intersection, the asphalt ends and the gravel road begins. This first section, the road winds through the forest and climbs slightly to the Negovanu reservoir. On this part of the road up to the lake you have two springs with drinking water in case you are thirsty.

Lake Negovanu can’t be seen too much from the road because of the trees. After crossing the lake, after a few kilometers we reach a T shape intersection. The road to the right goes up to Păltiniș ski resort. We continue on the road in front.

We are already at 1200m altitude and we continue to climb. The climb is relatively steady, with no steep slopes. You will reach 2 hairpins and then you come out into the alpine hollow and the impression is that this is the climax. But the road continues to climb and we will reach the point of maximum altitude, at 1715m at Curmătura Șteflești.

From here you can admire the peaks of the surrounding mountains, which even at the end of June still have patches of snow on the northern slopes.

Immediately after the maximum altitude point follows a hairpin followed immediately by two more and we descend quickly on the valley of the river Frumoasa. From here we follow the course of the river until we reach the Transalpina. In this second part of the route the forested areas alternate with open areas, so you will have many places where you can admire the landscapes.

If you feel like playing, there is a place near the Valea Frumoasei forestry canton, a place where you can practice crossing the river.

You will know that you are approaching the intersection with Transalpina when houses and huts start to appear on the right side of the road.

The Transcindrel road crosses an area full of potential for off-road enthusiasts. There are a lot of roads in the area with all degrees of difficulty and some of them start right from this road.