Transfăgărășan

Built in the early 1970s as a military route across the Făgăraș range, the Transfăgărășan runs for about 90 km between Cârțișoara in the north and the Vidraru Dam in the south, cresting at 2,042 m in a tunnel beside Bâlea Lake. The northern ramp is the famous part: a ribbon of asphalt laid in wide, visible loops across a bare glacial valley.

The drive

Start from the north. The lower section climbs through forest, then the trees stop and the whole valley opens up, with the road visible for kilometres ahead. The corners are more open than the Stelvio's, so you carry real speed between them and can see what is coming.

South of the tunnel the character changes completely. The road drops through a long forested valley, follows the shore of Lake Vidraru on a twisting, bumpy shelf, and finishes across the dam. Allow time; this half is slower than the map suggests.

In your Lotus

The sight lines on the north side suit a car you can place precisely. Ride height is the thing to think about: the surface has frost damage and patched sections, particularly on the south side by the lake, and a lowered Exige on track geo will need care. Fuel up in Cârțișoara or Curtea de Argeș, as there is nothing in between.