Cueva de Mendukilo

Cuveas de Astiz ko kobak


Useful Information

Location: Carretera Alli, s/n, 31879 Astitz, Navarra,
Mendukilo, near Lekunberri, Concejo de Astiz area. A-15 exit Lekunberri, turn left on NA-7510 to the Sanctuary of Aralar, after 600 m turn left, then after 200 m again left. Through Alli towards Astiz, 1.5 km after Alli turn right, 1.3 km to the cave. The private road is open only during open hours of the cave. 250 m walk to thecave entrance.
(42.9737848, -1.8969241)
Open: Mid-JAN to Mid-DEC weekends.
JUL Wed-Sun.
AUG Tue-Sun.
Exact time very complicated, online booking strongly recommended.
[2023]
Fee: Adults EUR 9, Children (11-17) EUR 8, Children (4-10) EUR 7, Children (0-3) free, Seniors (65+) EUR 7.
Groups (20+): reductions available.
[2023]
Classification: SpeleologyKarst cave
Light: LightIncandescent Electric Light System
Dimension: L=700 m, VR=90 m, T=8 °C, A=750 m asl.
Guided tours: D=60 min, L=540 m, VR=40 m.
Photography:
Accessibility: no
Bibliography: J. J. Duran Valsero (2006): Guia de las Cuevas Turisticas de España, Madrid: Instituto Geológico y Minero de España; Asociación Española de Cuevas Turísticas, 104 pp, 172 illus. SB Español - Spanish pp 90-93 Cueva de Mendukilo pdf
Address: Cueva de Mendukilo, Carretera Alli, s/n, 31879 Astitz, Navarra, Tel: +34-948-396-095. E-mail:
Office of Tourism, Tel: +34-948-507-205, Fax: +34-948-507-333. E-mail: contact
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

1967 exploration and survey by Isaac Santesteban.
1976 survey by Carlos Acaz.
22-JUL-2005 opened to the public.

Description

Cueva de Mendukilo (Cave of Mendukilo) was used as a refuge by shepherds for hundreds of years. Lately it was developed as a show cave, with developed paths, dynamic lighting, and a multimedia system. The cave starts with a gated cave portal, the huge hall behind is called Artzainzulo (Shepherd's Shelter). Through the Jentileio (The Gentiles Window) and down a staircase with 90 steps we reach the Hartz-zuloa (Bair's Lair), the central crossing of all cave passages. From here we reach the Laminosin (Lake Room) with its wealth of speleothems and Herensugearen Gotorlekua (Dragon's Den), the largest hall, 60 m long and up to 20 m high.

The cave tour is 540 m long, and the trail partly is a floating walkway. The cave is rather young, developed as a show cave in 2005, and has a dynamic light system.

A small museum with a sort of replica cave at the entrance, explains the geology of the cave. There is also an audiovisual room where a 15-minute documentary is shown. The cave developed in massive reef limestones of Aptian to Albian age (114-96 Ma), both belong to the Cretaceous. The entrance was long known to locals, the local shepherds used the first room as a temporary shelter, but they never ventured into the far reaches of the cave.

This cave has extremely complicated open hours. It is open almost the whole year but only on weekends in the morning, which is weird. There are longer open hours and additional weekdays during the season, which includes school holidays and festivities. We gave up listing the open hours, please check the online booking and book your tour before you go. This is not mandatory, but it seems to be good advice.

The cave is located in the forest above the small village Astiz. These are the southern fore-hills of the Pyrenees called Aralar or Sierra de Aralar, the Aralar Natural Park with 200 km² was established in 1994. The forest is under nature protection and also declared a Site of Community Interest (SCI). The whole ridge is composed of limestone and karstified. There are numerous karst features, but this is the only show cave in the area.