OFF75 Pasul Rotunda – Șaua Gajei

This is a road that goes deep into the mountains, so you will have to drive it both ways. But as you will see, it is really worth it because this way you will be able to admire the landscapes in all directions.

The road takes us from Pasul Rotunda to the Gajei saddle on the peaks of the Rodna mountains. Pasul Rotunda is located on national road 17D, the road between Sângeorz Băi and national road DN17, Vatra Dornei – Borșa. DN17D, so it is called a national road, here in the Rotunda pass it is just a paved forest road. However, it is an ok road, of low difficulty.

Once you reach the top of the pass, you will have to enter the road from the west. The road has a barrier but it is usually open. We also met the gendarmerie who did not say anything to us. If you do not go off the road it should be ok.

The route starts with a small section through the forest. We climb gently then we slowly emerge into the alpine valley. After a relatively flat section with a small slope, the road will reach the most difficult section of the route. We will have to climb a succession of 4 hairpin bends with slightly higher slopes. The most difficult part is the hairpin bends where there are crevices in all directions due to the water.

Once past this section, we climb a little more then the last part we will go relatively horizontally on the contour lines. The road ends with a slightly wider platform where there are often parked cars. We are in the Gajei saddle at 1754m altitude, at the foot of Ineu peak. From here we can continue a little further on a narrower and more rugged road that descends to a small mountain lake.

The road is generally good, well paved and well leveled. The only uneven section is the one with the hairpin bends.

This route is very spectacular especially for the impressive views it offers of the surrounding mountains.