About Vârghiș Gorge
The Vârghiș Gorge (Cheile Vârghișului, in Hungarian Vargyas-szoros) was cut by the Vârghiș stream into the limestone of the northern Perșani Mountains, between the village of Merești (Homoródalmás) in Harghita County and the commune of Vârghiș (Vargyas) in Covasna County. The gorge is about 3 km long, and its walls reach 70–80 m. The nature reserve covers about 1,000 ha across both communes, most of it (around 800 ha) belonging to Merești, in Harghita, and the area is part of the Natura 2000 site Cheile Vârghișului. It is one of the largest karst complexes in the Székely Land.
In the walls of the gorge 124 caves are known, with a total length of about 7.4 km, set on four levels above the stream; at water level a further, active system is forming. The caves have yielded Pleistocene animal bones and tools used by prehistoric people, and among the nineteen bat species identified here are several protected in Europe.
The caves in the gorge
The best known is the Great Cave of Merești, also called the Orbán Balázs Cave (Orbán Balázs-barlang or Almási-barlang), the first cave scientifically explored in Transylvania. It has about 1,527 m of passages and four natural entrances roughly 20 m above the stream. It is visited with a guide in the May–October season; the entrance hall can be seen all year, without a guide. Three other caves are open to visitors: Șura Cailor (Lócsűr), Tătarlik (Tatárlik) and Șura de Piatră (Kőcsűr). The rest are closed, and visiting them is not allowed.
What you can see
The trail along the bottom of the gorge passes the limestone walls, the cave mouths and the wooden footbridges over the stream. The path to the Orbán Balázs Cave climbs from the stream to the large entrances in the rock face; at Kőmező, upstream, there are a shelter and the ruins of a Romanesque chapel. The slopes have marked climbing routes and a via ferrata, Vándorsólyom (the Wandering Falcon). From the ridge tops the gorge is seen from above, between beech forests.
Good to know
The gorge is visited on foot only, between 9:00 and 18:00, on the marked routes; cars stay in the car parks. You can enter from the Vârghiș side, along a forest road to the car park next to the information centre, or from the Merești side, along county road 132A, from where you continue on foot. For climbing, the temporary restrictions protecting birds of prey apply.
Information verified on 31 October 2026.
- The Great Cave of Merești (Orbán Balázs Cave), with four natural entrances in the rock face and about 1,500 m of passages.
- The trail along the bottom of the gorge, between limestone walls 70–80 m high, beside the Vârghiș stream.
- The Șura Cailor, Tătarlik and Șura de Piatră caves, the only other caves open to visitors.
- Kőmező, with the shelter upstream and the ruins of the Romanesque chapel.
- The Vándorsólyom (Wandering Falcon) via ferrata and the marked climbing routes on the walls.
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
By car: from the Vârghiș side, along a forest road of about 12 km to the car park next to the information centre, from where you continue on foot; Vârghiș is ~64 km (~1 h 10 min) from Brașov and ~54 km (~1 h) from Sfântu Gheorghe. From the Merești side, along county road 132A (Mărtiniș–Merești–Vârghiș) to the Árpataka area, then on foot; Merești is ~32 km (~40 minutes) from Odorheiu Secuiesc and ~88 km (~1 h 35 min) from Brașov. Driving to the entrances at Kőalja and Karácsony gátja is forbidden.
- Where to park
On the Vârghiș side, the car park next to the information centre is paid. On the Merești side you park in the Árpataka area, at the place shown by the signs. Parking and tents are allowed only in the designated places.
- Fees & discounts
The Orbán Balázs Cave is visited with a guide, in the May–October season.
- Rules
The gorge is visited on foot only and only on the marked routes, between 9:00 and 18:00. Dogs must be on a lead. Bathing, hunting, fishing, picking mushrooms, berries, plants and animals, noise, fires outside the camping places and off-road vehicles are forbidden. Do not leave litter. In the caves do not shine torches or flashes at the bats, light fires, smoke, touch the formations and walls or write on them. Only the Orbán Balázs, Șura Cailor, Tătarlik and Șura de Piatră caves are visited. Climb only on the marked routes, observing the temporary restrictions for birds of prey.
- Facilities
Toilets at the car parks, at the Orbán Balázs Cave and at the Kőmező shelter · information centre next to the Vârghiș car park · designated camping places, with fires only where indicated · no shops or restaurants in the gorge · no access for pushchairs
Frequently asked questions about Vârghiș Gorge
What are the opening hours of Vârghiș Gorge?
Opening hours at Vârghiș Gorge: daily 09:00 – 18:00. More under “Opening hours”
How long does a visit to Vârghiș Gorge take?
A visit to Vârghiș Gorge takes about 3½ – 4 hours (with one cave and the trail through the gorge).
Can you visit Vârghiș Gorge with kids?
Yes, Vârghiș Gorge is suitable for children (walking trails, medium difficulty).
Where can I park at Vârghiș Gorge?
There is paid parking at Vârghiș Gorge (paid, on the Vârghiș side). More under “Where to park”
How do I get to Vârghiș Gorge?
Vârghiș Gorge is located at între Merești și Vârghiș, la capătul drumului forestier de la Vârghiș sau al DJ 132A dinspre Merești, Merești, Harghita County. More under “Getting there”
When is the best time to visit Vârghiș Gorge?
The best season for Vârghiș Gorge: May – October (cave with a guide: May–October).
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