Wild animals are rather elusive in Europe compared to other continents, and wild bears in particular were hunted down to the brink of extinction across the continent.
One country, however, is known for its large wild bear population, and that's Romania. People travel from all over Europe to see the wild brown bears in Wallachia and Transylvania, two historical regions in Romania.
Where to see Wild Bears?
The Carpathian mountain range is the natural habitat of the wild brown bear in Romania.
They are most prominently visible along one particular road, and that's the breathtakingly beautiful Transfăgărășan road, which is located partially in Wallachia and Transylvania.
Wild bears are wild for a reason, and you should be cautious in the Carpathian Mountains.
It is highly advised to not step out of the car when driving across the Transfăgărășan road.
In fact, the Romanian ministry has an automatic cell phone alarm warning going off on all devices the moment you enter the Transfăgărășan road. It comes with a piercing, prolonged audible sound.
The area around this famed route is wild and generally sparsely inhabited. Here rise the tallest points of the Carpathians, and the forests seem to stretch endlessly across the rugged terrain.
The bears are literally hanging out along the road. You will randomly see a smaller one sleeping on a milestone or sitting at the side of the road.
The Don'ts When Interacting with Wild Bears
Don't step out of the car around the forest areas for your safety. If you are on the motorbike, keep your distance; they can get aggressive. Even if they are not aggressive, a large brown bear can take down a grown man with ease.
Don't feed the bears; it's illegal in Romania, and it's punishable by law. The current fine is set between $100-300 per offense, but the government is planning to increase it. That should be a no-brainer, but we saw some families doing this just to entertain their kids. I couldn't believe what I was seeing.
Drive slowly across the Transfăgărășan road. Not only bears are home here, but also deer, foxes, badgers, and co.
More Tips
The road starts at the base of the Poenari Citadel, which sits on a mountaintop overlooking the wild Transylvanian forests. The Transfăgărășan ends at the village of Cârțișoara, near Sibiu.
Join a small tour to explore the area with a guide without risk!
You will find several points where you can safely stop the car along the route. The road is rather long; it took us over 3 hours in total to cross it from one end to the other.
Look out for lovely local stalls where they sell homemade local cheese and sausage. They are located along the passes and not near the forests. My wife, the foodie, bought various Romanian cheeses and cured meats.
Most visitors along the Transfăgărășan road are families from Central and Western Europe. Swedes, Germans, Italians, Poles, and Hungarians. You will also encounter many motorbike groups because the road is rather famous across Europe.
Tip: You can hire a rental in Bucharest and organize a road trip across the Carpathians, to then stop at the charming city of Sibiu.
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