Vargyas Gorge is 4 km long and the result of erosive action by the Vargyas River, a process which began in the Middle Pleistocene. The Gorge itself is visually dramatic, with it's steep sides, rocky cliffs, dense forest, and scattering of boulders throughout the length of the river. On the rocky slopes of the gorge, several protected plant species can be found, such as Globeflower (Trollius europeaeus), Turk's cap lily (Lilium martagon), Bear's garlic (Allium ursinum), and the Sword lily (Gladiolus imbricatus). The gorge provides a home to brown bear, red and roe deer, wild boar, otter, viper and numerous insects, including the praying mantis. Moreover, the Vargyas River was selected as one of the reintoduction sites for the European beaver during the late 1990's.

Since the 19th century, speleological exploration has identified 122 caves. The most significant cave is known as The Big Cave; its halls and galleries total 1527 km in length, with four natural entrances 20 m above the level of the river. The sediments are rich in Late Pleistocene mammal fossils (Ursus spelaeus, Canis lupus, Crocuta spelaea, Megaceros giganteus, Equus germanicus, to name but a few). Archeaological evidence from the Big Cave, reveals a nearly continuous human presence from the Middle Paleolithic until the Middle Ages; in fact, fortified by defensive walls, the cave provided a place of refuge during the Tartar invasions. During the winter, The Big Hall of the Big Cave provides shelter to one of the largest bat colonies of the Eastern Carpathians; identified species include the Greater Mouse-eared, Greater Horseshoe, Lesser Horseshoe, Barbastelle and Schreiber's bat.

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