Cueva del Hundidero


Useful Information

Location: 7 km west of Ronda.
Follow MA-7401 to Benaoján, turn right on MA-8403. Follow A-374 to km 19, turn left on MA-8403. The parkin area is located at MA-8403. Follow single lane gravel road 700 m to the Presa de Montejaque dam, left on trail, 500 m into a gorge. 20 minutes walk to the cave entrance.
(36.751714, -5.237317)
Open: no restrictions.
[2023]
Fee: free.
[2023]
Classification: SpeleologyKarst Cave
Light: bring torch
Dimension: L=7,800 m, VR=200 m.
Guided tours: self guided
Photography: allowed
Accessibility: no
Bibliography:
Address: Centro de Interpretación de Espeleología, Avda. Andalucía, 50, 29360 – Montejaque, Málaga, ESP, Tel: +34-670-89-31-97. E-mail:
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then.
Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

1920 attempt to dam the river for hydroelectric power failed.
30-DEC-2011 declared a Monumento Natural by decree.

Description

The Cueva del Hundidero (Sinkhole Cave) is the swallow hole, were the waters of the Gaduares or Campobuche river, coming down from the Sierra del Caillo, enter a cave system and leave the surface. We also read the name Boca de Hundidero (Mouth of Hundidero). This cave entrance has several paths, suspension bridges, and electric light, which does not work anymore. These are the remains of a futile attempt to dam the water of the intermittent river to produce electricity. The Compañía Sevillana de Electricidad (Sevillana Electricity Company) tried to dam the water in 1920. But the result was disastrous: the dammed water drained through karst clefts in a few days. The engineers tried to find the swallow holes and close them with concrete, but despite enormous efforts, it never worked. In 1950, they finally abandoned the project. The Presa de los Caballeros (Dam of the Knights) still exists, but there is no lake, just a temporary wetland.

The main passage, the subterranean river bed, is typically about 60 m high and rather spacious, still there are several narrow spots. There are cave trekking tours offered, which are through tours from the Hundidero to the Gato entrance. They are made all year, but weather depending. During wet season (winter) the danger of rains is much higher. The participants must be physically fit, trained and equipped with appropriate caving gear.

The highlight of the tours are several passages with countless speleothems. But the most impressive speleothems are the rimstone dams, numerous pools big enough to fit three or four people. They are sometimes called "bath tubs", which is not the official name, of course.

Because of the enormous dangers of this difficult cave, we want to make one thing clear: never enter this cave without being accompanied by a group of experienced local cavers! It is pretty safe to visit both huge and impressive entrances, but beware of the cave itself.

Even if you do not visit the cave the site is definitely worth a visit. A few years ago a parking lot was created, the trails were modernized and even equipped with railings and stairs. Numerous explanatory signs were erected. The official app of Montejaque City Council contains downloadable maps and allows to use GPS and GoogleEarth for the walk. Another app called Itinere Montejaque contains background information. Both are available for free for Android and iPhone.

The cave entrance has cave paintings from the Copper Age, a series of lines, dots, and an anthropomorphic drawing. The cave also houses one of the largest sedentary colonies of common bent-wing bats in the area.