Hi - I am leaving Ireland mid-may heading for Romania and Bulgaria on my first long solo trip. I am planning to come in to Oradea and head to the southwest corner to cross into Bulgaria. I will probably have about 4 days in Romania and I am looking for scenic interesting places to visit. I have gone through lots of web sites but at this stage I am only getting more confused
I will arrive probably in the 3rd week of May. I don't like cities and prefer quirky off-the-beaten-track locations. I don't plan to go off-road as I can't pick my bike up alone!

I have a few questions for anyone with local knowledge...

- Given the terrible situation in Ukraine are locals in Romania sensitive about overlanders roaming about enjoying themselves or are they happy enough to still see foreigners travelling through their beautiful country? I presume I should keep well away from the Ukraine border regardless.

- It looks like the Transalpina and Transfagarasan will both both be closed, however some sites say 'might' be closed, can you help me understand my chances of getting to see these?

- Can you suggest a route or some destinations I might like?

- When do schools close (and traffic get busier)?

Any other info you might have would be appreciated !

Thanks!!

Hey,

sounds like a nice trip you have planned. How long will you be on the road? Any reason why you have only 4 days planned in Romania?

In mid-end May most of the snow in the lower mountains should be melted and as long as you stay on paved roads you will not have to deal with the possible mud from melting water so most routes will be fine. Transalpina and Transfagarasan are both at high altitude and mostly touristic routes so the snow sticks around for longer and they might not be cleared yet. When that actually happens depends on the weather - hence no-one can predict when exactly they open. Maybe you visit on your way back?

I just passed through northern Romania near the Ukrainian border on my way to Moldova last week. The situation is relaxed at the moment, there were a lot of refugees coming through in late February but the locals I talked to report that there is hardly any traffic now. They are happy to welcome tourists as they are affected by people staying away due to the war. We are talking about a war, of course, so the situation could change.

I am not sure what your route before Romania is and where you enter the country but I quite like the north eastern corner of the Romanian Caphartian mountains so I would recommend to visit there for food, culture and mountain twisties.

Cheers,
Benjamin

Even if is close you'll be able to go to Balea Cascada (waterfall) in north and till Capra Chalet in south, or maybe more.

Hello,

How did you get on in Romania? I`m heading from Northern Ireland to Romania next week. I have pencilled in the following;
Mestecanis Pass + Transraraul pass in the north
Bicaz Gorge, Red Lake, Transfagarasan and Transalpina Highways, Brasov, Bucharest and follow the Danube Road through Dubova.

Any other must see places?

thanks,

H