Voineasa lies in the Lotru Mountains at an elevation of about 650 metres and stretches along the Lotru Valley; extensive coniferous forests shape the landscape. The river, tourist routes and winter route to the Transalpina Ski Resort offer different points of interest. When looking for accommodation in Voineasa, you can first consider whether your stay will focus mainly on the Lotru Valley and the routes starting in town, or whether you also want to include a trip to the ski resort. The resort is near Obârșia Lotrului, 34 kilometres from Voineasa.
Climate and River
The inland mountain climate brings cool summers and moderately cold winters. The season therefore shapes the choice of activities: the Lotru, which flows through Voineasa, offers good conditions for trout fishing; in winter, the ski resort becomes an additional focus for an outing. Fishing by the river and winter sports are different aspects of a stay in the region.
Routes to a range of destinations
Tourist routes from Voineasa lead to Cataractele Lotrului, the Latorița Nature Reserve, Hidrocentrala Ciunget and Lacul Vidra. These destinations offer different points of interest: the nature reserve and the lake highlight nature and scenery, while Hidrocentrala Ciunget offers a connection to hydropower. Together with the Lotru in town, they provide a range of options that are not focused solely on winter sports. If you are considering Voineasa as a base, you can start by choosing the destinations that best match your interests.
Lacul Vidra and the development of the resort towns
Lacul Vidra is an artificial reservoir created in 1972. It covers 940 hectares, is nine kilometres long and has a volume of 340 million cubic metres; spruce forests surround it. As a man-made body of water, the lake is quite different from the Lotru, which flows through Voineasa. Both are part of the region’s varied waterscapes, which feature on the tourist routes starting in town.
The history of the resort towns includes the construction of the Lotru–Ciunget hydroelectric power station in 1960, alongside which the resort towns of Voineasa and Vidra were established. The dates mark different developments: 1960 for the construction of the power station and the establishment of the resort towns, and 1972 for the creation of the reservoir.
Winter route and ski resort
The Transalpina Ski Resort is near Obârșia Lotrului, 34 kilometres from Voineasa. A gondola takes visitors from the valley station at 1,350 metres up to an elevation of 1,800 metres; from there, a drag lift continues to 2,000 metres at Vârful Bora. As the infrastructure’s operating schedule may vary, it is advisable to check lift operations before your visit.
The winter route to the ski resort runs via Brezoi (DN7–E81), Malaia, Voineasa and Obârșia Lotrului. The Transalpina itself is a separate matter: it is closed to motorised traffic in winter because of heavy snowfall. Check current road conditions before setting off so that the access route mentioned above and the closed Transalpina are clearly distinguished.
Getting to Voineasa
From Râmnicu Vâlcea, the DN 7A runs via Brezoi to Voineasa; the route is about 70 kilometres long. When planning accommodation, it helps to distinguish this journey into town from the excursions that follow: the tourist routes start in Voineasa, while the ski resort near Obârșia Lotrului is a separate destination. This lets you plan your stay around the valley, the river and the routes, or include an additional winter outing.
Discover more destinations: Malaia, Obârşia Lotrului, Brezoi, Ciungetu, Vaideeni, Perişani, Ocnele Mari, Curăturile
For the broader travel overview: Vâlcea.
