Caving in the Cueva de los Chorros

What it is

Entering the cave from which the river is born. Just reaching the mouth, 15 by 25 metres in the middle of a 300-metre wall, is an adventure: about 2 km with 270 m of climb along exposed ledges, with stretches where you have to be roped up with helmet and harness. The company insists the approach is high risk. Inside, the cave has more than 40 km of galleries; Riópar Town Hall speaks of almost 50 km mapped and it is still not fully explored. It is the longest in the southern half of the peninsula.

The three levels

Mundo Aventura Riópar offers three routes, always with a guide qualified in caving.

• Cave tourism (Espeleo turismo), 4 hours, €70, from age 16. The simplest level: after the approach, you walk the main gallery with helmet and lighting, wading the underground river without needing to get wet, among great chambers and waterfalls. Includes helmet with light, harness for the access, rubber boots and rucksack. Bring hiking boots or sports shoes and warm clothes, even in summer.
• Fossil caving (Espeleo fósil), 6 hours, €90, from age 18. A mostly dry route, more technical and vertical, through the galleries hanging above the river, with climbing sections, abseiling and handrails, among stalagmites and other formations. You wear a caving suit and rubber boots. Bring leggings and a thermal or synthetic T-shirt.
• Aquatic caving (Espeleo acuática), 6 hours, €90, from age 18, high physical level. A circuit through the underground river and the fossil section, with climbing, abseiling and swimming stretches in cold water. They provide a 5 mm wetsuit, suit, neoprene socks, gloves, harness and descender. You need hiking or sports footwear in perfect condition that will get wet; walking shoes, water shoes and flip-flops are not allowed, and they rent amphibious boots for €5 a pair if you tell them when booking.

At all levels permits and parking fees, insurance and a souvenir photo are included. Bring water and something to eat, and leave spare clothes and footwear in the car for the return.

Quota and booking

No experience is needed, but you must be physically fit and comfortable moving over uneven terrain; if you are unsure, start with the simplest level or ask them. Under park regulations and to protect the cave, only one group of seven people enters per day, and on occasion two, never at weekends or on public holidays. Once a group is opened, others join until it is full, so you have to book far in advance. The activity runs all year, depending on the water flow.

If you do not see yourself inside the cave, the guided visit to the Source climbs to the second viewpoint and has an option up to the cave mouth, for over-18s. And the listing for the Source of the river Mundo explains how to see the waterfall on your own.