Are you saying that the transition altitude is below the highest terrain in that country? I'd be amazed if it was.
I thought the whole point of "Altitudes" and "Flight Levels" was that:
ALTITUDES were with reference to QNH and allowed the pilot to relate the aircraft altitude with the terrain around him/her.
FLIGHT LEVELS were with reference to QNE (1013.25/2992) and meant two things. Your altimeter is indicating Pressure Altitude (good reference for aircraft performance), and it meant all the aircraft in your immediate area were refering their altitude to the same reference which is important for traffic separation. Of course the altimeter is now not a good reference for terrain clearance.
The authorities then choose a transition layer (transition altitude/transition level) that is well above the highest terrain in that country/area of authority so that QNH is used when required.
Oh and to finish my point, by definition, a climb to a Flight Level must be safe from terrain.