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This road should generally be considered as part of a scenic loop to the Danube, particularly if you are coming from the western part of Romania. The road starts in the village of Voiteg, located on E70, about 36 kilometers south of Timisoara. In Voiteg, you are down in the plains with fairly flat and smooth landscape. The road mirrors that reality with long stretches of fairly good asphalt, where you can really let your bike roam (yes, do keep it in a straight line). It is a pleasant ride, as traffic moves fairly fast and passing just about anything on the road is not a problem.

As you close in on Bocsa, you approach the Dognecei Mountains and the road changes its character. The straight lines begin to bend, the turns sharpen and the landscape presents more variety. The open fields become lush green forests and the ride quickens. You may not go any faster, but it certainly feels that way. The town of Bocsa is a small remnant of an industrial center that went the way of communism. While the location is beautiful, nestled in the mountains, the town is dusty and tired.

From Bocsa, the road runs for another 21 kilometers into Resita, one of Romania’s largest metallurgical center. For this section, the road has all the qualities of a mountain road—short straights linked by sequences of S-turns and engaging curves with elevation changes. The pace is quick and lively.

Entering the city of Resita, you know that you have arrived in a major industrial center. The town has been working iron since Roman times, over 2,000 years ago. The foundry in town dates from 1771, and the metal created here was used to produce locomotives from 1872 to 1964. In fact, as you ride through town, you will likely see a collection of locomotives on display in a makeshift open-air museum. Aside from the city center, steel mills, factories and conveyor belts mar much of the landscape. Overall, it looks worn and abandoned, despite the fact that many of them are still operational.

Resita serves as a springboard to the Semenic Mountains and its outdoor attractions—hiking, skiing, off-roading. The road that goes to the Semenic alpine resort is well marked through town. It is absolutely worth the trip. The road is asphalted for the first 25 kilometers, but quite rough and marred by potholes. The last five kilometers, as you are literally climbing the mountain, you are riding on cobblestone, which finally gives way to just dirt. If you are riding a high-powered crotch rocket, this is not the most enjoyable route (the tight suspension will make you unhappy and the Z-rated road tires coupled with the engine revs will be a handful). But, all this being said, the ride through the thick forests, followed by the steep climb through the pines, filled with hairpin after hairpin turn and panoramic views is absolutely worth it. And, once at the top of the mountain, past the tree line, the view is an unencumbered 360-degree vista—a fantastic ride!

From Resita, to reach the Danube, you must take highway DN58 south toward Anina, through Oravita and into Moldova Noua. It is a great route, picturesque and, once at the Danube, highly rewarding.

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Roads > DN58B

DN58B

Motorcycle Adventures for the 21st Century