Adventure Tour in the Vârghiș Gorge
✨ The Vârghiș Gorge Nature Reserve, located on the northwestern edge of the Baraolt Basin and covering almost a thousand hectares, is one of the most beautiful and most visited natural attractions in the Szeklerland. It can be reached from the Vârghiș village by a 12-kilometer-long, mostly asphalted forest road. The four-kilometer-long gorge, with a height of 70-80 meters, bordered by limestone walls, was shaped by the valley-forming action of the Vârghiș creek, resulting in 125 caves, located on four different levels. Only four of them can be visited: Orbán Balázs Cave (Great Cave of Merești), Calului Cave, Tătarului Cave and Sura de Piatră. The entire length of the gorge valley can be explored at the stream level on a very spectacular path that leads over 11 bridges. Following the marked hiking trails, you can explore the main attractions of the nature reserve in more detail. The Vârghiș Gorge hosts the largest population of bats in the country, counting 19 species.
🔴 the tourist trails are of medium difficulty.
🔴 appropriate clothing and hiking shoes are recommended.
🔴 an additional activity could be climbing the Şoimul Călător via ferrata route, the necessary safety equipment can be rented at the mountain rescue headquarters.
🔷 Program description
🚗 Arrival at the visitor center located at the entrance to the Vârghiș Gorges. You can leave your car in the paid parking lot located here.
🔴 visiting the gorge on the upper route marked with a red dot: Sub piatră - Belvedere II: 1 hour
⛰ visiting the lookout point and the Tătarilor Chapel: 30 minutes
🟨 continuing the upper hiking route marked with a yellow band to the northern entrance of the gorge: 30 minutes
➕ return from the entrance from Meresti of the gorge on the route marked with a blue cross to the Orbán Balázs cave: 1 hour
🏞 visiting the Balázs Orbán and Şura Cailor caves: 1 hour
🏞 visiting the Tătarului Cave cave: 30 minutes
🏕 return to the parking lot at the visitor center: 30 minutes
The tourist map of the region can be downloaded here:
or from here: https://specialrescue.ro/terkep/vargyas_szoros.jpg
⏳ visiting time: complete route approximately 4-5 hours
📞 contact: Salvamont Vlăhița 0729 206 010
🔗 information: https://www.facebook.com/vargyas.szoros.hivatalos
🎟 entrance tickets:
⏰ visiting schedule: daily between 9 am and 6 pm
🍽 food: Since there are no dining options in the valley, it is recommended to bring food and water on the hike
