Urdele Pass (Transalpina)

Urdele Pass is a mountain pass at an altitude of 2,145 m, the highest point of the Transalpina (DN67C) and therefore of the highest road in Romania — over 100 m higher than Bâlea Lake on the Transfăgărășan. Geographically, the pass lies in the Parâng Mountains, in Vâlcea County, on the roughly 20 km ridge section at the highest altitude, passing close to the peaks of Dengheru, Păpușa, Urdele and Iezer. The Transalpina, nicknamed "the road between the mountains", has an old and legendary history. Tradition holds that it was used in Antiquity by the Roman armies on their way to Sarmizegetusa, and over the centuries it served as a transhumance route for the shepherds of Mărginimea Sibiului, who drove their flocks into Oltenia. Because of its precipices and difficulty, the road was also known as "the Devil's Path". It was cobbled at the initiative of King Carol II, between 1934 and 1939, and inaugurated in 1939, when it received the name "the King's Road"; only from 2009 did modern asphalting works begin. At the altitude of the pass, the vegetation is alpine, dominated by low meadows, dwarf pine shrubs and moss, the upper limit of the conifer forests lying much lower. The area is frequented by species such as the chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra) and the golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos). From the pass, wide views open towards the Parâng ridges, and nearby there are traditional rest stops, such as Stâna lui Ștefan. The road is accessible from Novaci (Gorj County) to the south and from Obârșia Lotrului to the north, but remains closed during periods of heavy snow, usually between November and June. Urdele Pass is worth visiting for its remarkable altitude, accessible by car, for its wide panorama over the alpine ridges and for the experience of crossing the highest road in Romania.