It is the highest road in Romania, having the highest point in the Urdele Pass (at 2,145 m). The road connects the towns of Novaci, in Gorj County, and Sebes, in Alba County. Being an alpine road, it is closed during the winter.
Transalpina crosses the Parang Mountains from south to north, the highest altitude being on a „ridge road” of about 20 km, in Vâlcea county.
The beginnings of this road are unclear. Some sources claim that it was first built by the Roman legions during the Dacians wars which is why on the history maps it is listed as the „Strategic Roman Corridor IV. The fact is that the road, known as the „Trail of Hell”, was originally a mountain path, used by the pastors of Mărginimea Sibiului to cross the mountains with sheep herds in the Romanian Country.