Balea Lake

Rated 4.8 Stars, based on 344 Reviews.

This is a small group tour (max 8 passangers) which combines history, engineering marvels, breathtaking natural landscapes and It often gives you the chance to see Brown Bears in their natural habitat. Begin with a visit to Curtea de Argeș Monastery, famous for impressive frescoes that depict religious themes. After we do a stop to Poenari Fortress, once a strategic stronghold of Vlad the Impaler, the inspiration for Dracula. The fortress is under renovation and cannot be visited inside. We'll only see it from the outside. Next is Vidraru Dam, one of Romania's engineering marvels. This towering structure, built in the 1960s, holds back the glistening waters of Lake Vidraru. We will drive into the heart of the Făgăraș Mountains National Park. Then we will stop at the Capra waterfall to admire the beauties of nature and the spectacular landscapes. Finally we will reach Balea lake located at an altitude of over 2000 meters, here we will admire the famous Top Gear Road.

Rated 4.3 Stars, based on 31 Reviews.

Enter the realm of one of Europe's most scenic mountain roads on a day trip to Transfagarasan Road. Along the way, delve into meeting the Wild Brown Bears of Romania. Set the scene for fantastic pictures by passing Poenari fortress original Dracula's fortress. Reach top of the Carpathians and breathe in the fresh mountain air while admiring views from Transylvania. Enjoy each stop with fantastic views and stories told by your guide.

Rated 5 Stars, based on 16 Reviews.

You will be taken from your hotel in Basov by a professional guide and you will go to the most spectacular road in Europe – Transfagarasan. We will stop first and visit the Carta Monastery built in the late Gothic style, by the Cistercian monks who came to Transylvania from Burgundy – France. Transfagarasan Highway is the most spectacular and beautiful mountain road in Europe, enough to feature on the UK motor show Top Gear, Transfagarasan Highway might just be “the best road in the world” as Top Gear host Jeremy Clarkson claimed. It's a road going up in the mountains and unites Transylvania with Valachia. Great scenes, noisy waterfalls, Glaciar Balea lake, will make you feel great up there and forget about the stress of the city. During the winter, between the months of November and July, we will go up by van to the hotel Balea Cascada 1446, from where we will take the cable car (from here up the road is closed due to snow). The price of the cable car is not included .

The best route will be chosen together with the guide. Can be: – An easy walk in the forest culminating with exploration of the famous “7 ladders” canyon. – Piatra Craiului National Park – route starts near Zarnesti and takes hikers into the heart of the mountain, giving time for a refreshing tea (soup) at the mountain hut at 1400m. alt – Bucegi Natural Park – use of cable car from Busteni/Sinaia to the flat Plateau is the heart of Bucegi Mnt. It offers us easy walking from Cota 2000 to Babele or The Biddies, rock formations carved by nature. Nearby we take pictures with the well known "Sphynx" and we find out that the inner energy of the mountain is searched by lots of hikers – Ciucat Mnt – Starting the hike from a high point, the nearby road passes at 1135m alt. we continue to hike towards the peak along the ridge line. – Fagaras Mnt – there are a few good options for day hikes around Balea lake with stunning views. – a gentle hill walk over the rolling hills around Bran Castle

The most beautiful mountain road in Romania, just one hour drive from Sibiu. Multiple stops for admiring and capturing in photos the breathtaking mountain scenery. A comprehensive set of information from a licensed tour guide. Modern, air-conditioned minivan. Tricks to avoid heavy traffic. Please note that the Transfagarasan road is closed between November till the end of June. In this period, we can drive on the Transfagarasan road as far as 1200 meters and from there we can take the cable car to Balea Lake. The cable car will offer us a unique perspective of the Balea Waterfall and the most spectacular part of the Transfagarasan road. In this period, we aren't able to see Capra Waterfall, which is located on the south side of the mountain.

We are going to start cycling from low altitude at a small market from where we will have a magnificent view over Mount Fagaras and Balea Waterfall . After few kilometres we will get into the most interesting mountain highway builded in Romania in the years of comunism . The views displayed during the trip are amazing , the mountains that surround the way show their majestic peaks during the whole way . We will see in the way up , much closer to our eyes , the Balea Waterfall and after a while we will reach the top at altitude 2034 where a peasant market and the well known Balea Lake will be displayed . After visiting all the interesting touristic points a descent full of adrenaline back to the starting place will follow . Please be aware that during the winter the transportation to the lake is possible by cablecar only .

Explore the Transfagarasan, the highest altitude pass road of Sibiu, the glacial Balea Lake, located at an altitude of 2034 m, the ruins of the Cistercian Abbey of Carta and the Palace and Garden in Avrig, in baroque style, on this full-day private tour. Please note: This trip can be booked also during the winter season, excepting the hiking part from Balea Waterfall to Balea Lake (to get to Balea Lake it is necessary to take the cable car).

Begin your adventure with Curtea de Argeș Monastery, a famous Orthodox monastery. Built in 1514, it is one of the most important landmarks of Romanian religious architecture and a symbol of Romanian history and culture. See from outside the historic Poenari Fortress, once a stronghold of Vlad the Impaler (Dracula), and admire its panoramic views. We stop at the imposing Vidraru Dam, a marvel of engineering, where you can take in the stunning views of the reservoir and surrounding peaks. We cross the Făgăraș National Park where we have chances to meet wild brown bears in their natural habitat. We admire the goat waterfall and we can taste/buy some local products (cheeses, pastrama, jams, alcoholic beverages, etc.). The destination is the Balea glacial lake, at over 2000 meters altitude, where we have lunch and free time for hiking and pictures. This unique tour blends cultural discovery and scenic beauty, offering an unforgettable day in the heart of Romania.

This is a relaxing private tour from Bucharest to the Transfagarasan area. The Transfăgărășan is a paved mountain road crossing the Carpathian Mountains, is the second-highest paved road in the country with an altitude of 2,042 metres (6,699 ft). The road also provides access to Bâlea Lake a glacier lake situated at 2,034 m of altitude. Here we will benefit from the fresh air and low temperature, admire the view of Trasnsilvania and have lunch. On the way back we will admire Bâlea waterfall, we'll stop at the Vidraru Dam to refresh us. It is very possible to meet brown bears on the route. On our way we will be able to see on a mountaintop a fortress built by Vlad the Impaler. This is Poienari fortress.

This tour combines sightseeing with history and culture. If your time in Brasov is limited you can tick two very important boxes of Transylvania by visiting the Bran (Dracula) Castle and the Transfagarasan highway in the same day. While you can visit Bran 365 days per year, the mountain road is only open a few months during the summer and autumn. During the Transfagarasan day trip we drive close to the altitude of 2050 meters above sea level. On the road we stop at the Balea Waterfall. Here we check out the souvenir shops and taste some of the local snacks. At the Balea Lake we can have a proper lunch, after we hike around the lake. More souvenirs are available here too. Other short stops for spectacular roadside landscapes are also included. The Bran Castle tour is done either at the start or at the end of the day, depending on the day of the week.

To discover the Transfagarasan road with its unforgettable scenery is indeed an adventure, especially for those daredevils who wish to reach peaks once untouched but by chamois and golden eagles. Transfagarasan Highway – rated by Top Gear as the most spectacular road in the world, the Transfagarasan impresses with its extraordinary scenery, the number of serpentines and the height at which it was built, the Fagaras mountains being the highest in Romania; thus, the Transfagarasan reaches altitudes up to 2042 meters at Lake Balea where it starts its descent to Cartisoara village; here, on a 30 km stretch we can enjoy the sight of the road in all its splendor. Lake Balea – a glacier lake formed in a cirque (a depression surrounded by high mountains) at an altitude of 2040 metres; it lies on an area of 4,6 hectares (the length of the lake is 360 metres) and its depth is of approximately 11 metres.

We invite you to explore the villages surrounding Sibiu, located at the bottom of Cindrel Mountains. Timing Overview: 12:30 PM: Departure from Sibiu 1:00 – 2:00 PM: Visit Cisnădioara Fortified Church 2:30 – 3:30 PM: Visit Cisnădie Fortified Church 3:30 PM: Depart for the Transfăgărășan Road 4:30 – 6:00 PM: Visit Transfăgărășan Road, including Bâlea Waterfall and Bâlea Lake 6:00 PM: Return to Sibiu 7:00 PM: Arrive back in Sibiu Additional Information: Seasonal Variation: Summer (July 1 – Oct 30): Travel by bus on the Transfăgărășan Road. Winter (Nov – June): Travel by cable car to reach Bâlea Lake and surrounding attractions. Participant Note: Minimum of 2 participants required for guaranteed departure. Solo travelers are encouraged to contact for availability

Transfagarasan road – built as a strategic military route, it is the highest (2042m) and most dramatic paved road in Romania. It runs North to South across the highest sections of the Carpathian Mountains. The road connects the historic regions of Transylvania and Wallachia. Fagaras mountains – the highest mountains of Romania and the Carpathian range with highest peak Moldoveanu -2544m. Balea Lac is a natural glacier lake at 2040m, 360 meters long, 240 meters wide and 11 meters deep Balea Waterfall with its 60 meters height it is one of the most famous waterfalls in Romania

The diversity of the objectives met on the way is great: mountain landscapes, hills, forests, traditional villages, historical vestiges (Curtea de Arges Monastery, Poienari Citadel), engineering innovations (Vidraru water storage Dam) and Transfagarasan itself. At its top, the height of the way is a little more than 2000 meters, crossing the highest chain of the Carpathians: the Fagaras Mountains.

Come and experience a trip on the most beautiful highway in Europe! Although the highway itself is considered to be the main attraction, there are many more pit stops on the way. For example, at 2034 meters, we arrive at Balea Lake, having previously admired the Balea Waterfall. The place is filled with merchants selling foods, drinks and souvenirs. The landscape is absolutely amazing. It really feels like heaven! Then, if you're curious to discover more and time allows us, there is an optional free of charge trip available to either the watermill in Lisa, a small village, to experience the traditional way of felting. Or, we can take a delightful lunch (meal not included) at the restaurant in Albota. Perhaps you'd prefer a cultural experience, and we can visit the Cistercian Abbey of Carta. It's really up to you to decide. Still wondering if this trip is suitable for you? You can take your whole family, or you can bring your friends. It's up to you!

Carpathian Heights: A Day of Hiking from Sibiu to Bâlea Cascada & Lake is a scenic adventure through the Făgăraș Mountains, combining a guided hike to Bâlea Waterfall and the glacial Bâlea Lake. Experience breathtaking alpine landscapes, local legends, and a flexible itinerary tailored to your pace. Seasonal variations make each trip unique, with options for summer trekking or winter snowshoeing. Includes transport from Sibiu and expert guidance for an unforgettable mountain escape.

This is a guided tour and start at fixed hours. Check the schedule below. It takes about one hour and represents a walk along a forest path of approximately two kilometers. This way, you will discover the stories of the bears that are now living in the sanctuary, the purpose of this place and you may ask questions.

This guided day hike brings you closer or into the heart of most beautiful mountains of the area.There are a few available hiking routes for all levels from easy, medium to difficult hikes. Consider a min. of 4-5h for a day hike extendable to 8-10h choosing private departure on a longer route. Prior to departure, the guide will talk with you about every option and will make appropriate decision for the route to follow Fagaras Mountain – even if we need a bit longer transfer, for a day hike we usually recommend to access the mountain via the Transfagarasan Highway, taking us to Balea Lake at 2035m high. From the glacier lake there are a few good options for day hikes around the lake with stunning views, or even a bit along the main ridge with optional detour to a peak over 2500m. On clear day we can spot in a distance the Moldoveanu Peak, as the roof of Romania at 2544m. Also we can admire the main ridge of Fagaras, streching continuously for over 60km along south Transylvanian border

Visit Poienari Fortress, the real Vlad Tepes' Residential Castle and we drive on Transfagarasan highway, built as a strategic military route, is the second-highest paved road in Romania and considered by some to be the most dramatic. Driving on Transfagarasan Highway as know as "the Road to the Sky", "the Road to the Clouds", "the Best Driving Road in the World" and even "A spectacular Monument to Earth-Moving Megalomania"! IMPORTANT: !!!Due to some construction works on the road, the tour might take longer than usual!!! Transfagarasan road is open in 2024 between June 7 – October 31! When the Transfagarasan road is closed (November 1 – June 30) we drive up to the Balea Waterfall (no visit of Poienari Fortress and Vidradu Dam). If the weather conditions allows, we take the cable car up to the Balea Lake (extra 20 euro/person). We visit the ruins of the Cistercian Abbey of Carta and the amazing Sambata de Sus Monastery, also.

We leave Sibiu and drive on the most scenic road of Romania- Transfagarasan. Once we reach Balea Lake, we are leaving the car and start the hiking adventure in Fagaras Mountain Range. Our hiking trail starts from 2030 m or 6660 ft, climb onto the left bank of glacier dale and it reach the maximum altitude of 2351 m or 7713 ft. after 2 hrs. Along this hike you will admire Transfagarasan Scenic Road and take some stunning pictures of the wild nature of Carpathian Mountains. Depending on your physical condition, weather and your equipment, we can extend this hiking tour, reaching the fifth highest peak or Fagaras Massif. Once we finish the hike we can descend to Balea Lake, the place where we dropped the car and we can have a nice lunch. Before starting the tour, your mountain guide will give you all the necessary information so you can choose the difficulty (easy or medium) of the trail and the time you will spend hiking. For this tour we require hiking boots and a good rain jacket.