Vidraru Dam
Vidraru Dam
4.5
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4.5
236 reviews
Excellent
122
Very good
84
Average
27
Poor
2
Terrible
1
Sza_bee
Timisoara, Romania345 contributions
Aug 2021
it is one of the great achievements of the last century. Highest dam in Romania and most spectacular as views. Maybe the most touristic, too.
I never been there to find the place deserted. Weekends look like a walking street in the middle of the city. Weekdays is more normal.
People who notice the garbage in the water, they should think of the dynamics of fluids and plastics. Whatever is thrown in the nature uphill from the dam, will get back there sooner or later.
Not sure the administrative authority is cleaning up that mess.
I have never seen the lake full. Or close to full. Went around with the boat.
Just imagine how deep the water is and how the place looked before constructing the dam. Huh.
I never been there to find the place deserted. Weekends look like a walking street in the middle of the city. Weekdays is more normal.
People who notice the garbage in the water, they should think of the dynamics of fluids and plastics. Whatever is thrown in the nature uphill from the dam, will get back there sooner or later.
Not sure the administrative authority is cleaning up that mess.
I have never seen the lake full. Or close to full. Went around with the boat.
Just imagine how deep the water is and how the place looked before constructing the dam. Huh.
Written 22 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MadtownChris
Madison, WI232 contributions
Jun 2023 • Family
The highest and one of the few large dams I've seen. It makes your stomach churn to look over the side. The lake is pretty and the dam is interesting. It's worth a 20 minute stop for a walk and photo op. Probably not worth a destination trip though.
Written 21 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tiberiu_Baranyi
Timisoara, Romania17,327 contributions
Aug 2022
The Vidraru Dam , the road (DN7C - Transfagarasan mountain road) is crossing the dam , parking is a bit tricky very few spots where you can stop safely, unfortunately wild bears are roaming the area because of the careless tourists who are feeding them and people don't get it that they endanger themselves and others because the bears congregate to free offerings.
The dam was built in 1965 - a massive engineering endeavor - and is standing ever since, it is 167m tall , 305 m long and 25 m thick at its base - when it was finished in 1965 it was 8th largest dam in whole Europe and the 20th in the world ... today there much bigger dams in the world.
At the dam there is a tower that leads to a platform on the top - pity this year it was closed due to tourists who were careless enough to bring food with them and leave it near the statue so several bears were roaming the area and the authorities close the tower because of this - so no view from the above....
Overall is a great place - you can take a boat ride on the lake , can eat there , etc ... however , beware of the wild bears.
The dam was built in 1965 - a massive engineering endeavor - and is standing ever since, it is 167m tall , 305 m long and 25 m thick at its base - when it was finished in 1965 it was 8th largest dam in whole Europe and the 20th in the world ... today there much bigger dams in the world.
At the dam there is a tower that leads to a platform on the top - pity this year it was closed due to tourists who were careless enough to bring food with them and leave it near the statue so several bears were roaming the area and the authorities close the tower because of this - so no view from the above....
Overall is a great place - you can take a boat ride on the lake , can eat there , etc ... however , beware of the wild bears.
Written 7 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
cristina p
158 contributions
Dec 2019 • Family
One of the highest dams in Europe, a landmark of Arges County. Constructed on Arges river and formed lake Vidraru. Construction stretched between 1961-1966, when finished it ranked 5th in Europe.
Beautiful scenery, in every season.
Beautiful scenery, in every season.
Written 28 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Iki Deli / Doi Nebuni
Romania2,637 contributions
Jun 2019 • Couples
5 stars for the views and beautiful nature, -5 for everything else.
The view from here is absolutely amazing. And that’s all, the rest is disappointing.
The road to get here is almost a off-road trip. Nothing is arranged for the tourists, not even parking places. And at the beginning of June, when seems that the area is not very populated, is quite desolating. Not even the boat trips on the lake - the only activity you can basically do besides walking and taking photos were not functional. Just a small kiosk with very good boiled corn and kind seller.
A pity that nobody cares to develop this beautiful (nature wise) spot. At lest to keep it clean...
The view from here is absolutely amazing. And that’s all, the rest is disappointing.
The road to get here is almost a off-road trip. Nothing is arranged for the tourists, not even parking places. And at the beginning of June, when seems that the area is not very populated, is quite desolating. Not even the boat trips on the lake - the only activity you can basically do besides walking and taking photos were not functional. Just a small kiosk with very good boiled corn and kind seller.
A pity that nobody cares to develop this beautiful (nature wise) spot. At lest to keep it clean...
Written 30 June 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Frank Anton
Oradea, Romania53 contributions
Jul 2017 • Couples
Tourism means more than just a great scenery! After visiting the Transfagarasan road crossing the Carpathians, I obviously drove to the Vidraru Dam as well, another great place presented by Top Gear. I say great place, because the construction itself, and the nature around it are fabulous, without any doubt. However, the lack of infrastructure and services, and the numerous slightly savage tourists make it a disappointing experience. What do I mean? The only way to get there is by car, but there are no parking places. Does it make sense? Some uncivilized tourists decided to stop their cars right on the dam, which led to blocking the entire traffic. Actually there is a road on the huge dam. In lack of a better place and more wisdom, drivers just stopped there because they wanted to take some photos. Smart, right? The police intervened and cleared the road, but it is not pleasant sitting in the care at over 30 degrees on the middle of the dam because of some idiots, pardon my abrupt way of speaking. We finally found a place down the road where we could stop the car. We walked back, and wanted to sit down and enjoy the scenery, but there is no civilized place to do that. We could get some water, sweets, and other stupid commercial stuff. And the tourists just threw away the packaging wherever they felt like it. I understand that there is a hotel above the water, where one could spend the night or more time, and that could be a nice experience. But what about us, those doing a road trip, and going from one place to another? Like most place in Romania, the nature is fabulous, and worth seeing, but the overall experience is ruined by the lack of infrastructure and civilized tourism.
Written 12 July 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
beradrian
Brasov, Romania232 contributions
Aug 2013 • Family
After making the mandatory stop to admire the scenery from the dam and take photos, if you have 45 minutes at your disposal, you can go to Posada Vidraru hotel, buy tickets at the reception and go on a boat trip on the lake.
You cannot park the car on the dam itself, so it is better to leave it on one of the ends, depending on busy it is (usually it is very busy).
You cannot park the car on the dam itself, so it is better to leave it on one of the ends, depending on busy it is (usually it is very busy).
Written 14 August 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wayne G
Uxbridge, Canada151 contributions
Sept 2012
If you are in Curtea de Arges, drive north on DN7C to Baraj Vidraru (Vidraru Dam) and enjoy marvellous views from the obersation deck. See the metal statue of Prometheus holding lightning bolts. On a calm day the waters of Lake Vidraru reflect the surrounding mountains and tour boat quietly ply its waters. Drive further north around the east shore of the lake to be rewarded of more spectacular views.
Written 9 December 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
E. - A.
New York City, NY373 contributions
May 2023 • Friends
One of the most beatiful places in the world! You should visit this place and take the boat to see how beautiful this area is! In the road you can see a lot of wild animals..
Written 28 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
E. - A.
New York City, NY373 contributions
Sept 2022 • Friends
Really beautiful... A little more complicated with the parking spaces, but definitely worth a visit.
Written 24 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Can you swim or take a boat in the vidraru lake?
If yes what is the name of the place?
Written 30 August 2021
Hi all,
Is the road open in December-January?
Is it worthwhile visiting on winter time?
Written 1 December 2019
If you travel from South to North, that means from Curtea de Argesh, the highway to Vidraru Dam might be opened. The Transfagarashan Road (from Vidraru to Sibiu) is closed from mid October to mid April.
Written 2 January 2020
Ποιά είναι η απόσταση από το κέντρο του βουκουρεστιου;
Written 3 September 2019
ניני ב
Tel Aviv, Israel
שלום לכם
ברצוני לשאול האם אפשר לרדת מהסכר לאגם?
איך?
האם העליה בחזרה היא רגלית?
והאם אפשר לשוט בסירה באגם?
תודה לעונים ויום טוב.
Written 25 February 2019
הגעתי עד המקום שהכביש נסגר רוב ימות השנה ובמקום זה לא ניתן לרדת או לשוט. אינני ידע אם בהמשך, במהלך 4 החודשים שזה פתוח יש מקום של שייט
Written 1 March 2019
Dear People,
We are planning our August vacation,
Is it possible to visit Vidraru Dam inside?
For example, to see its turbines etc?
Thanks in advance,
Michael
Written 11 November 2018
I am not sure. but it seams to be closed to public
Written 17 November 2018
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