Vidraru Dam
A curved concrete wall wedged between two mountains, with the lake stretching out behind it. It’s one of the best stops on the Transfăgărășan, and less than an hour from Casa Sima.
- From Casa Sima
- about 28 km, around 45 minutes by car on the DN7C
- The dam
- built 1960–1966, 166.6 m high
- The lake
- about 14 km long, 870 ha
- Access
- the road to the dam is outside the section closed in winter
What you’ll see
The dam was built between 1960 and 1966 for the Vidraru hydroelectric plant. It stands 166.6 metres high, and the crest, which you can walk across, is around 305 metres long. From the middle you look down into the Argeș gorge on one side and over the lake on the other.
The lake is about 14 km long and covers 870 hectares. The Transfăgărășan carries on along its shore towards Piscu Negru.
On a rock above the dam stands the statue of Prometheus, lightning in hand, a symbol of electricity, by sculptor Constantin Popovici.
Getting there from Casa Sima
Take the DN7C north through Arefu, past Poenari Fortress. It’s about 28 km and 45 minutes without stops.
Tips
- Combine Vidraru and Poenari in the same morning: they’re only a few kilometres apart.
- It gets windy on the crest even in summer; a light jacket helps.
- On summer weekends the parking spots near the dam fill up. Mornings are easier.