OFF67 TransVâlcan

Trans – Vâlcan is one of the most spectacular roads in Romania. It is spectacular for off-road bikers as well as for those who are passionate about winding asphalt roads. And for those passionate about both, it’s perfect: half is paved, half unpaved.

The paved portion

We leave from the center of Vulcan and head south towards the Vâlcan Mountains. At first we climb gentle and relatively straight. That’s up to the gondola station. From there the road starts to climb steeply and the more serious curves begin. Forest areas alternate with open areas. The asphalt is quite good so you can test your cornering skills a bit.

The road reaches the area of guesthouses around the top station of the cable car and immediately after this segment we go out into the alpine area. From now on we ride among the tops of the mountains and the landscapes open up in all directions, not just to the north as before.

After a few kilometers we reach the point of maximum altitude of the pass. Here is the Pantheon of Vâlcan Pass, a statuary group with King Ferdinand, Queen Maria and a number of commanders of the Romanian army from the First World War.

We are at over 1600m altitude and now the adventure begins because this is where the asphalt ends.

The unpaved portion

As soon as we leave the asphalt, we start to descend. There are steeper sections that alternate with sections with smooth slopes along level lines. We have beautiful scenery in all directions. The road is well paved but many sections are not very well compacted so there is a lot of loose gravel. For this reason, especially the steeper descent areas with serpentines are quite difficult.

We go down and reach more forested areas. Here the road becomes more “peaceful” and with less gravel.

You’ll know you’re close to the end when you exit the forest. We are at the edge of Schela village, the place where we will go out onto the asphalt.