When it comes to routes worth driving in Romania and being fascinated by, the list is surprisingly long. Basically, you would think that it is only about Transalpina and Transfăgărășan, but we also have other tourist treasures from the same spectrum in mioritic lands.
Nicknamed the Treasure Road, after being neglected and forgotten for several decades, TransRarău is still an Alpine road that deserves all the attention among drivers who love unique experiences. This road is located in the north of the country and connects Bistriței Valley and Moldovei Valley. What has changed regarding it is that, along with Transalpina and Transfăgărășan, it has started to be given as an example worthy of exploration by driving instructors in discussions with future drivers in Romania.
What you need to know about TransRarău
According to Economedia.ro, at its core, TransRarău is meant to tame the journey through Bucovina’s mountainous area and to delight tourists who want to conquer the Rarău Mountains in search of the treasures under the Pietrele Doamnei.
Among others, TransRarău passes by Giumalău peak – 1857 meters high with fascinating landscapes. On the left side, you have the sharp peaks of the Adam and Eve limestone witnesses. The good thing is that now it can be accessed by a regular car, but for about two decades, it could only be traveled by an off-road vehicle.
As a starting point, you have the village of Chiril, and the final destination, as the name suggests, is the Rarău cabin. The maximum altitude at which you will travel if you dare to explore TransRarău is approximately 1500 meters, this region being part of the Eastern Carpathians. Unfortunately, the road has only one lane and requires a higher level of attention to traffic conditions.
Legend has it that in 1541, ruler Petru Rareş found a place in the Rarău mountains to shelter his family and part of his wealth from the hordes of Tatars. Starting from that reference, the route is nicknamed the Treasure Road, and one of the attractions is represented by the Pietrele Doamnei.
