Creangă Pass
Borsec Pass · Pasul Creanga — the mountain crossing at 1102 metres
between Toplița and Borsec, one of the favourite routes for motorcyclists and motorists in Transylvania.
One of the most beautiful crossings in the Eastern Carpathians
Creangă Pass (also known as Borsec Pass, Romanian Pasul Creanga) is a 1102-metre-high mountain pass in the Eastern Carpathians, in the Giurgeu Mountains. The pass connects Toplița and Borsec — one of the most important road links in the region.
The national road DN15 crosses the pass. The paved road climbs the elevation through 13 hairpin bends — making it one of the most popular routes for motorcyclists and motorists in Transylvania. Driving the serpentine itself is an experience, and among the surrounding pine forests every bend opens a new panorama.
From the top of the pass — also called Kránga Peak or Árkoza Peak — opens a beautiful view of the Borsec basin. At the pass there is a restaurant (Vanda) and tourist accommodation, making it ideal both as a rest stop and as a starting point.
The 13-hairpin serpentine · local source
13 hairpin bends — a motorcyclist paradise
🏔️ The national road DN15 links, over Creangă Pass, the Mureș valley (from Toplița) with the Borsec basin. The 12-kilometre serpentine road runs through magnificent pine forests, and after climbing to the highest point of the route — Kránga Peak (1102 m) — it slowly descends into the Borsec basin, lying at 800-900 m altitude.
🏍️ The 13 hairpin bends are a favourite route of Transylvanian motorcyclists and motor tourists. Every section opens a different view onto the surrounding Giurgeu Mountains and Călimani Mountains.
🍂 Seasonal characteristics:
🌸 Spring/Summer: ideal for motorcycling and motor touring
🍁 Autumn: the golden and red splendour of the conifer forests, perfect for photography
❄️ Winter: the serpentine can be slippery — winter tyres and chains are recommended
Hikes and excursions from the pass
Creangă Pass is an excellent starting point for the surrounding ridge hikes and longer cycling loops. Several marked trails begin here for hikers of different levels.
Zászpás loop hike
Marked with blue and red stripes — touching Nagy-Bükkhavas Peak. A beautiful ridge hike along the summits of the Giurgeu Mountains.
Cycling loop
53-kilometre marked route: Borsec → Creangă Pass → Bilbor → Holló sarka → Borsec. Ideal for experienced cyclists.
Ridge hikes
From here you can reach Nagy-Bükkhavas, Kis-Bükkhavas and Hollótető — medium-difficulty mountain hikes.
Viewpoint
From Kránga Peak (Árkoza Peak) a beautiful view opens over the Borsec basin and the Giurgeu Mountains.
Photography
The 13 hairpin bends and the pine-forest serpentine are an ideal subject for automotive and landscape photography.
Rest stop
The Vanda restaurant and tourist lodgings at the pass make an ideal stop during the tour.
Creangă Pass on the map
The map below shows the exact location of Creangă Pass — on the national road DN15, between Toplița and Borsec. Click the marker for details!
Source: Excel database A29 — GPS: 46.905°, 25.54° | Map: OpenStreetMap
How to get there?
🚗 By car / motorcycle:
📍 From Toplița: on national road DN15 heading east, about 12 km of serpentine to the pass.
📍 From Borsec: on DN15 heading west, about 9-10 km to the top of the pass.
🚲 By bicycle: part of the 53 km loop route. Recommended for experienced cyclists — significant elevation gain (~300 m uphill).
🥾 On foot: the starting point of ridge hikes around the pass. Several marked trails pass through.
🚌 By public transport: the bus service between Toplița and Borsec crosses the pass.
Useful information
How to find
- GPS: 46.905° N, 25.54° E
- Elevation: 1102 m
- national road DN15
- Between Toplița and Borsec
When
- Open all year round
- Entry: FREE
- Most beautiful: spring, autumn
- Take care in winter cold!
What to bring
- Hiking boots (for ridge hikes)
- Winter tyres in winter!
- Camera
- Map / GPS
Tips
- Take a break at the Vanda restaurant
- Combine with the Pierre Curie Spring
- By motorcycle — a wonderful serpentine!
- Most spectacular in autumn