UPDATE October 17, 2026: The Transfăgărășan is open, but winter driving conditions apply
On October 17, 2026, the mountain section of DN7C – Transfăgărășan between Piscu Negru and Bâlea Cascadă is open daily between 07:00 and 21:00. It has been snowing heavily at Bâlea Lac since October 16, and DRDP Brașov is out with snow-clearing equipment.
Do not drive up without a car equipped for winter! The date of the winter closure has not been announced yet. The mountain section no longer closes on a fixed date but depending on the weather; in 2025 it closed on October 20.
UPDATE June 12, 2026: The Transfăgărășan has reopened to traffic, starting at 12:00
Starting today, June 12, 2026, at 12:00, DN7C – Transfăgărășan has reopened between Bâlea Cascadă (Sibiu County) and Piscul Negru (Argeș County), according to CNAIR. Traffic is allowed daily between 07:00 and 21:00.
Drivers are advised to drive carefully and adapt their speed to the weather conditions, which can change suddenly at high altitudes.
An important warning concerns the presence of bears near the road — do not approach them and do not feed them. Alert the authorities! Feeding bears is prohibited by law (Law No. 407/2006, amended by Government Emergency Ordinance No. 60/2025) and is punishable by fines between 10,000 and 30,000 lei, but the consequences can be even more serious: a bear used to food from people can become aggressive and then be removed or shot by the authorities.
UPDATE May 20, 2026: Transfăgărășan, reopening expected in mid-June
According to DRDP Brașov, snow clearing on the Transfăgărășan is continuing in the most difficult parts of the route.
Road crews are working with machinery in the largest avalanche corridor, where the snow is more than 5 meters deep in places. The work is made harder by rocks and debris brought down from the slopes.
Over the past week, crews have worked constantly with heavy machinery to reopen one of Romania's most spectacular mountain roads to traffic, with the goal of clearing the snow from the Transfăgărășan by mid-June.
Transfăgărășan route
As a reminder, in 2025 the Transfăgărășan and the Transalpina reopened to traffic on the same day, June 6.
UPDATE February 16, 2026: Traffic restrictions in the Vidraru area
For drivers planning to travel the open part of the Transfăgărășan (DN7C), a series of restrictions will take effect on February 17, 2026, according to CNAIR, due to the refurbishment work at Vidraru Dam.
Road closed on the section between km 61+500 and km 61+750 (Vidraru Dam area) on the following schedule: Monday – Thursday: 08:00 – 11:00 and 13:00 – 18:00; Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 08:00 – 11:00
Safety rules:
Do not stop your car next to the slope, as there is a risk of falling rocks.
Vehicles can park safely at km 56+600.
Strictly follow the temporary road signs and the instructions of the staff on site.
UPDATE October 20, 2025:
Traffic on the Transfăgărășan (DN7C) closed from October 20, 2025
The National Company for Road Infrastructure Administration (CNAIR) has ordered the closure of road traffic on DN7C Transfăgărășan, starting Monday, October 20, 2025.
The restriction applies to the mountain section between Piscu Negru (km 104+000) and Bâlea Cascadă (km 130+800).
The decision was made because of extreme weather conditions at altitude, with heavy snowfall and an increased risk of blizzards, avalanches and rockfalls, endangering drivers' safety. The closure is based on the technical rules set out in the “Regulation on road traffic on mountain roads,” code AND 615-2020.
UPDATE October 8, 2025: Transfăgărășan (DN7C) temporarily closed!
Due to heavy snowfall, blizzards and a snow layer of over 30 cm in the alpine zone, road traffic on the Transfăgărășan is closed between Piscul Negru (Argeș) and Bâlea Cascadă (Sibiu), according to DRDP Brașov.
The measure was taken by CNAIR and the Traffic Police for the safety of road users, as many vehicles are not properly equipped for winter.
Road crews are still working on clearing the snow on the section between DN1 and Bâlea Cascadă, where only cars equipped for winter conditions are allowed. The road will reopen once the weather improves.
UPDATE September 30, 2025:
Winter driving conditions on the Transfăgărășan, DRDP Brașov reports.
Crews from the Bâlea District are working with snow-clearing equipment and salt. The road remains open, but if the weather gets worse, temporary access restrictions may be considered.
Drive on the Transfăgărășan only if you are prepared for winter conditions!
UPDATE September 29, 2025:
The first snowfall of the season was recorded in the Bâlea Lac area on the Transfăgărășan, DRDP Brașov reports. Although the snow is not yet a problem, crews will be out with machinery and anti-skid materials, given the forecast of worsening weather. Drivers are advised to adapt their speed to road conditions.
UPDATE September 5, 2025:
On Saturday, September 6, 2025, between 07:00 and 18:00, road traffic on the Transfăgărășan (DN7C) will be closed on the section from Vidraru Dam (km 62+100) to the Bâlea Lac Tunnel (km 116+808). The closure is needed for the 10th edition of the “TRANSFIER 2025” triathlon.
UPDATE June 6, 2025: The Transfăgărășan (DN7C) has reopened to traffic!
Starting today, June 6, 2025, at 7:00, the famous Transfăgărășan road has reopened to traffic. The announcement was made by both the director of CNAIR and DRDP Brașov.
Drivers will also be able to travel the mountain section between Bâlea Cascadă (Sibiu County) and Piscul Negru (Argeș County).
The authorities are making an important appeal to all drivers not to try to interact with bears if they encounter them along the road, as bears are unpredictable and dangerous.
The traffic schedule is daily, 07:00 – 21:00, but the Transfăgărășan may be closed temporarily in the event of adverse weather.
Update May 14, 2025: Transfăgărășan STILL CLOSED, but crews are working hard to open it
According to the latest announcements from DRDP Brașov, the Transfăgărășan is NOT yet open to public traffic, but the aim is to open the road by the end of May.
It has snowed considerably in the area over the past few days, which has delayed snow clearing.
Update May 9, 2025: The Transfăgărășan was hit by fresh snowfall on May 9, 2025, with a layer of about 10 cm of snow settling in the alpine zone.
The unexpected turn in the weather led the Regional Directorate of Roads and Bridges (DRDP) Brașov to temporarily suspend snow-clearing operations until the weather stabilizes.
Nevertheless, the authorities remain committed and are determined to complete the necessary work to open the famous mountain road to traffic by the end of May.
Update November 11, 2024: CNAIR announces that starting Tuesday, November 12, 2024, at 08:00, the Transfăgărășan will be closed to traffic on the DN7C segment between Piscu Negru (km 104+000) and Bâlea Cascadă (km 130+800).
The decision was made because of unfavorable weather conditions, with temperatures between -3 and -11 degrees Celsius and sleet and snow, which compromise the safety of road users.
At high altitudes, unstable weather can produce extreme weather events at any moment, increasing the risk for drivers. The closed section will be properly marked to signal the traffic restriction.
Update July 16, 2024: CNAIR announced on its official Facebook page that on Wednesday, July 17, 2024, and Thursday, July 18, 2024, there will be temporary traffic restrictions on the Transfăgărășan (DN 7C), between Capra Chalet and Bâlea Lac.
These restrictions will affect the road segments between km 110+500 and km 112+500, km 112+500 and km 114+500, km 113+000 and km 115+000, as well as km 115+000 and km 116+808, for the shooting of a video. Filming sessions will last up to 15 minutes, followed by breaks of at least 20 minutes to let vehicles through.
In addition to these restrictions, geotechnical drilling has also begun for the project to modernize the Transfăgărășan. The feasibility study commissioned by CNAIR aims to identify solutions that would allow traffic on the Transfăgărășan for as much of the year as possible.
Update July 13, 2024: DN7 through the Olt Valley is closed between Lazaret and Boița during the day, from 06:00 to 20:00, until August 9. As an alternative for the Râmnicu Vâlcea–Sibiu route, you can use the Transfăgărășan, DN7C.
This option is 100 km longer than the Olt Valley route and adds more than 2 hours to the trip, because of the difficulty of the road and the summer crowds.
We recommend checking road conditions before setting out on this route.
Update June 7, 2024: The Transfăgărășan has opened. The road crews' message: Watch out for bears!
“Traffic will be allowed only during the day, between 07:00 and 21:00, and in the event of adverse weather, the road will be closed temporarily until the weather allows traffic to reopen safely,” DRDP Brașov announces.
Road crews advise drivers to drive carefully, since the number of bears moving along and even standing on the road has increased.
Update June 6, 2024: The Transfăgărășan (DN7C) opens to traffic on Friday, June 7, starting at 07:00!
The announcement was made by CNAIR's director general, Cristian Pistol, on Facebook, almost a month before the date set by the regulation, July 1.
Work has been intense in recent weeks to reopen the Transfăgărășan to traffic, and it will also be possible to drive between Bâlea Cascadă and Piscul Negru, between 07:00 and 21:00.
Because safety comes first, the statement stresses that the road will be closed temporarily in the event of adverse weather, and it urges visitors not to feed the bears if they encounter them.
As a reminder, the Transfăgărășan is one of the most spectacular roads in the world, attracting thousands of tourists every year.
On Wednesday, May 1, the Regional Directorate of Roads and Bridges (DRDP) Brașov announced on its official Facebook page the start of snow-clearing operations on the Transfăgărășan!
According to the information, the work is under way in areas with a low avalanche risk and only when weather conditions allow road crews to work safely.
Because there is less snow this year than in other years, the famous mountain road is expected to open much earlier than the usual date of July 1.
As a reminder, the Transfăgărășan is one of the most spectacular roads in Romania and in the world, attracting thousands of tourists every year.
Transfăgărășan route
The earlier opening of the road in 2024 is good news for lovers of travel and adventure, giving them the chance to enjoy the beauty of the Transfăgărășan before the usual summer season.
Until the Transfăgărășan reopens to traffic, those who want to explore the Bâlea Lake area can drive up to Bâlea Cascadă and take the cable car from there. It is an excellent opportunity for tourists to enjoy the wonderful scenery of the Făgăraș Mountains, even before the road is fully open to traffic.
Even so, travelers are encouraged to follow official information and take into account any restrictions or safety conditions imposed by the authorities.
Is the Transfăgărășan open?
On October 17, 2026, the Transfăgărășan is open, including the mountain section between Piscu Negru and Bâlea Cascadă, daily between 07:00 and 21:00, but winter driving conditions apply. When the mountain section is closed, Bâlea Lake can be visited by cable car from Bâlea Cascadă.
