The average altitude is above sea level is 350 meters; its highest points are 487 m (Nagy-Csákány), 480 m (Körtvélyes) and 479 m (Csóka-hegy).

Geologically the Vértes constitute a fairly uniform structure.

The Vértes possesses a well-developed valley network (1260 km), but in spite of this spring and rivers are very rare in the mountain.

According to a legend documented in mediaeval Hungarian chronicles, the Vértes mountains were named after a historical incident: during the unsuccessful campaign of 1051–1052, the withdrawing German troops of Henry III, emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, scattered their armours to ease their escape through the mountains; hence the name Vértes (cf.

Béni Kornél–Viszló Levente: A Vértes hegység és környéke, 1996 ISBN 963-04-6683-X