Cârțișoara is a village at the northern foothills of Fogarasha, Romania's highest mountains. The famous Transfagarasan Road starts here, and the village is an excellent starting point for hiking along the numerous trails in the area.
The village was founded in the Middle Ages and was a typical shepherd's settlement until the 20th century. Its character changed with the spread of mountain tourism. At that time, guesthouses were built, and recently also agritourism farms. There is also a small museum in the village of Gheorghe Cârtan, also known as Brother Cârtan. He was a shepherd, a fighter for Romanian independence and a courier who smuggled Romanian books into Transylvania from the Wallachian Carpathians on the other side of the mountain. According to reports, about 200,000 were supposed to move them
The attractions of Cârțișoara are mainly related to its wonderful location at the foot of the mountains and the possibilities of spending time actively. The village offers a beautiful view of the main Fagaras ridge with its highest peak, Moldoveanu . The easiest way to get to the ridge, which reaches about 2,100 m above sea level at this point, is through the winding Transfagar Road . Although it was built for military purposes, it is today one of Romania's greatest landscape attractions. At its highest point, under the mountain ridge, there is a tunnel through which you can go to the southern side of the Carpathians.
Along the road runs the gondola route, with the intermediate station Balea Casacada at Bâlea Waterfall . Its top station is on Lake Bâlea , a popular excursion destination. There are several shelters and restaurants, and in summer many people come to picnic. From the lake area, you can start your hike towards Moldoveanu or one of the most famous peaks of Fagarasha, Negoiu .
