Top Gear Road -Transfăgărăşan, Small-group max 7, Pick-up include
Overview
Available languages
12 hours
Mobile ticket
Avoid big bus (coach) on the winding road! Join a small group (maximum 7) in a minivan!
Our first destination is Poenari Fortress, once served as a castle for Vlad the Impaler, the historical figure who inspired the legend of Dracula. We will admire it from the outside and learn about its fascinating history.
Next, we will visit the impressive Vidraru Dam, a remarkable feat of engineering from the 1960s that holds back the sparkling waters of Lake Vidraru.
We then ascend into the Făgăraș Mountains National Park, where nature's beauty truly comes alive.
Next is Balea Lake, the place of view on the winding road, open only from June to October, located at over 2,000 meters altitude. Here, you'll admire the famous winding Top Gear Road.
On the way back we'll stop at Capra Waterfall, perfect for taking in the fresh mountain air.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Children under 7 years old cannot participate in shared group tours. Please contact us to give you a private tour offer.
We will NOT visit the interior of Poenari Fortress, we will only see it from below - outside. To enter in Poenari Fortress you have to climb 66 floors on the stairs!
Bâlea Glaciar Lake (the view point to the winding road) is accessible only in the summer and early autumn months, from June to October
Our first destination is Poenari Fortress, once served as a castle for Vlad the Impaler, the historical figure who inspired the legend of Dracula. We will admire it from the outside and learn about its fascinating history. Next, we will visit the impressive Vidraru Dam, a remarkable feat of engineering from the 1960s that holds back the sparkling waters of Lake Vidraru. We then ascend into the Făgăraș Mountains National Park, where nature's beauty truly comes alive. Next is Balea Lake, the place of view on the winding road, open only from June to October, located at over 2,000 meters altitude. Here, you'll admire the famous winding Top Gear Road. On the way back we'll stop at Capra Waterfall, perfect for taking in the fresh mountain air.
Please Do Not Feed the Bears! We know they are beautiful and it’s tempting to share food with them, but feeding the bears actually hurts them. When bears get used to human food, they stop foraging naturally, lose their fear of humans, and often have to be relocated or put down for safety reasons. Plus, please keep in mind that feeding wildlife is strictly illegal and carries very high fines. Thank you for helping us keep both our visitors and our bears safe!
What To Expect
Poenari Fortress is a historic citadel located in Romania, perched atop a steep cliff in the Carpathian Mountains. Built in the 13th century and later enhanced by Vlad the Impaler, it served as a strategic stronghold and a defensive fortress. Known for its dramatic views and association with the Dracula legend, the fortress is accessible via a challenging climb of over 1,400 steps, offering visitors a glimpse into medieval history and folklore. We see the fortress from exterior.
Vidraru Dam
Vidraru Dam and Lake, located in Romania's Făgăraș Mountains, is a stunning hydro-engineering marvel completed in 1966. The curved arch dam, standing 166 meters high, creates Vidraru Lake, a serene reservoir surrounded by lush forests and dramatic peaks. A popular destination for tourists, it offers breathtaking views, boating, and serves as a gateway to the Transfăgărășan Road.
Options
Small-group and Pick-up
Shared group Pickup included
Promo
Small-group tour max 7 pax Pickup included
What‘s Included
Hotel Pick-up in City Center area
Air-conditioned vehicle
Small group up to 7 passengers
Professional tour guide in English
Lunch
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
403 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
A fantastic day trip
Carole P,Jun 2, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00If you only do one trip do this one. Our guide / driver Sebastian was the perfect guide as well as being an excellent driver. The day was well managed and every stop was interesting, lunch was in a spectacular setting and then to top it all, we saw six bears including a mother with her three cubs. The small group of five was perfect. Probably one of the best trips I have taken.
Iconic place well worth...
Kristine R,May 30, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Iconic place well worth the trip. Our guide, Sebastian was knowledgeable and patient as we took photos in some iconic locations as well as at the 7 bear sitings to include a mother bear with 2 small cubs. It is a long day, but a must see!
First time in Romania
Kim H,May 27, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Very good trip, our guide Brodan was very friendly, helpful, and full of knowledge. He stopped at a safe distance for us to take photos of the Bears, and scenic views.
First visit to Romania
Johndory90,May 27, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00From the pick up by the guild Brodan, he was friendly, polite, and very knowledgeable. He knew his stuff. When we was driving through the mountain, we saw 20 bears, in total he stopped at a safe distance so that the 3 of us could get some pictures. Would recommend this trip very good one.
Perfect
Maitén L,May 26, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Excellent experience, we had the chance to see bears up close, and he is a great guide
Great tour with Roxana: fantastic guide
Malgorzata D,May 3, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00That was amazing tour and Roxana made it the best one. She excellent guide and driver. Has great amount of knowledge. She is very professional and enthusiastic about her job. It was real fantastic experience. I almost never give five stars, but she is definitely the one that I give five star without any doubts or hesitation. Great Job Roxana
Twisted but beautiful!
mariel 62,Apr 26, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The road is crazy! I live in the mountains, but I have a new appreciation for my roads. Not just winding, it's extremely narrow. The dam is amazing, although I found myself wondering about communist era construction. Bogdan gave the group a history lesson at each stop.
Brilliant trip, brilliant guide
M1525BSalexk,Apr 17, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had an absolutely fantastic trip! The scenery was unbelievable and we were lucky enough to see a bear with cubs. It's worth it for the Vidaru Dam and the views from the lunch spot alone. Our guide George was friendly, super professional, and went above and beyond to make sure we had a good experience, and managed to work some extra stops into our itinerary. I can't reccomend him enough, he was wonderful. It's worth noting that the glacial lake and the iconic top portion of Transfagarasan highway in all the photos can't be see from the winter to June due to weather. This IS written on the trip advisor page in additional details, but I do think it could be more obvious. We did not notice this until a few days before our trip. But even with the alternative itinerary, this was still an incredible experience I would reccomend to anyone.
Great tour with very experienced knowledgeable guide
Liz a,Apr 10, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Roxanna was a great guide....very polite, friendly, knowledgeable and interesting. She was a very safe driver on the challenging road. We felt very safe.
From Sweden
721jonass,Apr 9, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00Had a great day even though the weather wasn't great. George was a great driver and guide.
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