Vârghiș Gorge

Vârghiș Gorge lies on the border of Harghita and Covasna counties, in the area of Merești and Vârghiș communes. The Vârghiș River has cut a valley into the limestone, with steep walls, caves and forests. The reserve protects the karst landscape, the bat colonies and the cliff vegetation.

The route in the valley passes over bridges and through narrow sections between the water and the slope. Numerous caves open in the walls, including the Great Cave of Merești, also known as the Orbán Balázs Cave. Underground hollows preserve traces of habitation and use as shelter. Visits to the caves must follow the administrator's rules and protect the underground wildlife.

Photo: MARIUS PASCU · Source of the photo · CC BY 3.0. Cropped and resized to 650 × 400 px, without distortion.