The Gorce are characterized by numerous ridges reaching in all directions for up to 40 kilometres (25 mi) east–west with a series of higher elevations cut by deep river valleys.

The south-eastern ridge of the Gorce reaches the Pieniny range (cut off by the Ochotnica pass), with Lubań (1,225 metres (4,019 ft)) as its tallest peak followed by Pasterski Wierch, Runek and Marszałek.

The main city is Nowy Targ on the Dunajec below in the valley of Podhale,[3] with large recreational villages including Krościenko nad Dunajcem, Szczawa and Ochotnica.

[7][8] Wildlife include almost 50 mammal species,[9] with wolf and lynx at the top; less frequent brown bear,[10] and lutra (rare European otter), as well as marten and badger often found digging under pasture fields.

During the reign of Casimir III the Great (Kazimierz Wielki) the first castles were built, including in Czorsztyn, and more new settlements, such as the town of Krościenko (1348) and villages: Kluszkowce (1307), Grywałd (1330), and Tylmanowa (1336), were established along the border with the Kingdom of Hungary, followed by increased commercial logging and transport.