About Bratocea Pass
At a glance: Scenic roads in Brașov County. Opening hours: daily open 24 hours. Ticket: Free. The visit takes ½ – 1 hours. Information verified on 29 September 2026.
The Bratocea Pass is where the DN1A, the road from Ploiești via Vălenii de Munte to Brașov, crosses the Curvature Carpathians on the border between Prahova and Brașov counties. The saddle, at 1,263 m, lies at the southern end of the Bratocea ridge below the Ciucaș Mountains and separates the Teleajen valley, which runs down to Cheia, from the Tărlung valley, which leads to Săcele and Brașov.
Until 1918 the border between Romania and Austria-Hungary ran through here, and in the late 19th century the Bratocea customs post stood nearby. In August 1916 Romanian troops entered Transylvania through the pass, and that autumn the area saw the battles of the Bratocea and Buzău passes. In 2016, for the centenary, a monument of Rușchița marble dedicated to the heroes of the First World War was raised at the pass.
What you can see
From Cheia, the road climbs about 11 km through beech and spruce forest in wide bends to the saddle. At the top are a roadside car park, the heroes' monument, a board showing the local trails and the sign marking the entry into Brașov County. Above rises the Bratocea ridge with the Colții Bratocei rocks, and to the north the road descends the Tărlung valley past Babarunca and the Tărlung reservoir to Săcele.
For many people the pass is above all the gateway to the Ciucaș Mountains: the red-stripe trail sets off here along the Bratocea ridge to Ciucaș Peak (1,954 m) and the Ciucaș chalet, and a blue-stripe path climbs up to the pass from Cheia.
Good to know
The DN1A is the compulsory route for lorries over 7.5 tonnes between Ploiești and Brașov, so there is a lot of heavy traffic through the pass. In winter, in heavy snow, weight restrictions may be imposed on the Vălenii de Munte – Cheia – Brașov county border section. In 2026, between Săcele and Cheia, at Brădet, traffic uses a temporary bridge while the new bridge over the Tărlung is being built.
- The marble monument raised in 2016 in memory of the Romanian troops who entered Transylvania through the pass in August 1916.
- The DN1A bends between Cheia and the pass, through the beech and spruce forest below the Ciucaș Mountains.
- Colții Bratocei, the conglomerate rocks on the Bratocea ridge, above the trail that starts at the pass.
- The red-stripe trail from the pass to Ciucaș Peak and the Ciucaș chalet, if you have a whole day.
- The descent down the Tărlung valley to Săcele, past the Tărlung reservoir.
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
By car: from Brașov, via Săcele, on the DN1A (~38 km, about 45 minutes to the pass). From Ploiești, on the DN1A via Vălenii de Munte and Cheia (~77 km, nearly two hours); from Bucharest it is ~160 km, about 2h45. From Cheia to the pass is a ~11 km climb. The road is paved and wide but carries a lot of lorry traffic; in 2026 there is a temporary bridge at Brădet, between Săcele and Cheia.
Public transport: buses run from Brașov to Săcele, but over the pass, between Săcele and Cheia, there are practically no regular services; you get here by car, motorbike or bicycle. From the pass you can also walk down to Cheia on the blue-stripe path.
- Where to park
At the pass you park on the DN1A roadside, on both sides of the road, where the trails to Ciucaș begin. On fine weekends it fills up early in the morning. Do not leave money, documents or valuables visible in the car: warnings about thefts from cars have been posted at the car park.
- Fees & discounts
The road is public and free, with no toll. The road vignette (rovinieta) is compulsory on the DN1A outside built-up areas.
- Rules
In winter drive only on winter tyres and allow for temporary restrictions on the DN1A in heavy snow. Stop only at the car park at the pass or in wider spots, never on the carriageway: many lorries use this road. On the Ciucaș trails stay on the waymarked routes, wear proper mountain gear and carry enough water: there are no water sources on the Bratocea ridge before the Ciucaș chalet.
- Facilities
roadside car park · 1916 heroes' monument · board showing local trails · waymarked trails to Ciucaș Peak and the Ciucaș chalet · accommodation and eateries in Cheia · petrol stations and restaurants in Săcele and Brașov
Frequently asked questions about Bratocea Pass
- How much is a ticket to Bratocea Pass?
- Admission to Bratocea Pass is free (public road, no toll). The road is public and free, with no toll. The road vignette (rovinieta) is compulsory on the DN1A outside built-up areas.
- What are the opening hours of Bratocea Pass?
- Opening hours at Bratocea Pass: daily open 24 hours. The national road is open at all times, with no seasonal closure. In winter, in snow and blizzards, the CNAIR road authority may temporarily ban lorries over 7.5 tonnes between Vălenii de Munte and the Brașov county border, and driving can be difficult; you need winter tyres. In 2026, between Săcele and Cheia (at Brădet) traffic uses a temporary bridge until the new bridge is finished. Check road conditions on the CNAIR website or with Infotrafic before setting off.
- How long does a visit to Bratocea Pass take?
- A visit to Bratocea Pass takes about ½ – 1 hours (Cheia–Săcele, with a stop at the pass).
- Can you visit Bratocea Pass with kids?
- Yes, Bratocea Pass is suitable for children (heavy traffic on the road).
- Where can I park at Bratocea Pass?
- There is free parking at Bratocea Pass (on the DN1A roadside, at the pass). At the pass you park on the DN1A roadside, on both sides of the road, where the trails to Ciucaș begin. On fine weekends it fills up early in the morning. Do not leave money, documents or valuables visible in the car: warnings about thefts from cars have been posted at the car park.
- How do I get to Bratocea Pass?
- Bratocea Pass is located at DN1A, between Cheia and Săcele, about 11 km from Cheia, on the border between Prahova and Brașov counties, Brașov County. By car: from Brașov, via Săcele, on the DN1A (~38 km, about 45 minutes to the pass). From Ploiești, on the DN1A via Vălenii de Munte and Cheia (~77 km, nearly two hours); from Bucharest it is ~160 km, about 2h45. From Cheia to the pass is a ~11 km climb. The road is paved and wide but carries a lot of lorry traffic; in 2026 there is a temporary bridge at Brădet, between Săcele and Cheia. Public transport: buses run from Brașov to Săcele, but over the pass, between Săcele and Cheia, there are practically no regular services; you get here by car, motorbike or bicycle. From the pass you can also walk down to Cheia on the blue-stripe path.
- When is the best time to visit Bratocea Pass?
- The best season for Bratocea Pass: May – October (open in winter too, with snow).
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