About Bâlea Waterfall
Bâlea Waterfall, known to locals as Urlătoarea Bâlei (Bâlea's Roar), is where the Bâlea stream, flowing out of the glacial lake of the same name, leaps over the lower step of the Bâlea cirque: a rock wall of about 60 m down which the water tumbles in several tiers, unravelled into white threads. It is considered the biggest tiered waterfall in the country and is the best-known fall in the Făgăraș, because it stands right next to the Transfăgărășan: you can see it from the road, from the bends below Bâlea Cascadă, and from the cable car that crosses the valley on its way up to the lake.
The fall is fed by the snow and lakes above, so it carries water all year, but the flow varies a lot: at snowmelt, in May and June, the roar that gave it its name can be heard from afar and the water covers the whole wall, while by late summer it thins to a few streams. In mid-August, in the shade of the walls, patches of snow sometimes still linger at its foot.
What you can see
Getting there is an hour's walk: from the Bâlea Cascadă chalet, at 1,234 m, the red-dot path climbs along the bank of the Bâlea stream, wide and gentle at first, under the pylons of the power line, then ever steeper over boulders, up to the foot of the falls. Here you stand right under the wall, with the spray in your face, and see every tier the water breaks over on its way down. Behind you is the valley and, high above, the red cabins of the cable car crossing the cirque.
If you would rather not climb, you can see it from the cable car, as a white streak on the mountainside, or from the roadside a few hundred metres below the chalet. Bâlea Cascadă is also the start of the long trail to Bâlea Lake up the Bâlea valley (blue triangle, about three hours) and of the cable car, which does the same trip in 15 minutes.
Good to know
The path is short but has wet, slippery, moss-covered stones: you need shoes with good grip, not sandals, and the last stretch is steep. It is not suitable for pushchairs. In winter and early spring the valley is under avalanche risk and the path is iced over — then the waterfall is admired from below, at the chalet. The road from Cârțișoara to Bâlea Cascadă is open all year; only the upper section, towards the lake, closes in winter. There are bears in the area: do not feed them.
- The foot of the falls, where you stand right under the 60 m wall and see every tier the water breaks over.
- The red-dot path along the Bâlea stream, with the valley and the red cable car cabins behind you.
- The waterfall seen from the cable car, as a white streak on the mountainside, on the way to Bâlea Lake.
- The roar of the water at snowmelt, in May and June, when the fall covers the whole wall.
- The Transfăgărășan bends below the chalet, from where you can see the waterfall without climbing.
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
By car: from the north, leave the DN1 (Sibiu–Brașov) for the Transfăgărășan (DN7C) at Cârțișoara, ~45 km from Sibiu and ~100 km from Brașov; from there it is 22 km to the Bâlea Cascadă chalet, at the foot of the cable car, where you leave the car. The road this far is open all year. From the south (Curtea de Argeș, past Lake Vidraru and through the tunnel) you can only get here in summer, while the high section is open; from Bâlea Lake it is 13 km down to the chalet. From the chalet, on foot: 1.3 km and ~244 m of climb, 45 minutes to 1 hour.
Public transport: there are no scheduled services. In summer a private tourist shuttle (Bâlea Bus) runs from Sibiu to Bâlea Cascadă; otherwise you can only get here by car or on an organised tour.
- Where to park
The car park at the foot of the cable car, next to the Bâlea Cascadă chalet, is free according to the cable car's website; some 2025 reports mention a fee, so check on the spot. On summer weekends it fills up by around 10 am and cars line the roadside 1–2 km from the chalet.
- Fees & discounts
The waterfall and the path are free. The Bâlea Cascadă – Bâlea Lake cable car, if you want to carry on to the lake, costs ~80 lei each way for adults and ~40 lei for children aged 2–12 (2026 fares, on the cable car's website); prices change often, so check at the station.
- Rules
Hiking boots or shoes with good grip: the stones on the path are wet and covered in moss, and the accidents here are usually slips. Do not climb the rocks at the foot of the falls and do not enter the water. In winter and early spring the valley carries an avalanche risk and the path is frozen — do not go up without winter gear and without asking the Salvamont mountain rescue. Stay on the path, leave no litter and do not feed the bears; dogs on a lead.
- Facilities
Bâlea Cascadă chalet, with rooms and a restaurant · stalls with food and souvenirs by the car park in summer · toilets at the chalet · lower station of the cable car to Bâlea Lake · no step-free access on the path · weak mobile signal in the valley
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