Pângărați Pass (DN12C), situated at 1256 meters altitude, is one of the most impressive mountain roads in the Eastern Carpathians, connecting the Gheorgheni Depression in eastern Transylvania with the Bistrița Valley in Moldavia. The road passes through the spectacular Bicaz Gorges, a rocky canyon with vertical walls rising up to 300 meters above the roadway, creating a landscape of rare grandeur.
The Bicaz Gorges are the main attraction of the route, with sheer limestone cliffs closing in so tightly on the road that in some places the sky is nearly blotted out. Along the gorge, local merchants sell souvenirs and handcrafted goods. At the eastern end of the route lies Red Lake (Lacul Roșu), a natural dam lake formed by a landslide in 1838, recognized by the tree stumps protruding from its reddish waters.
The road is open year-round, though winter restrictions may apply due to snow and ice. The Bicaz Gorges are part of a protected national park, and the area offers numerous opportunities for rock climbing, hiking, and wildlife observation. The route is particularly spectacular in autumn, when the forests on the slopes are dressed in shades of gold and crimson.