Cave of Valporquero facts for kids

A village at the start of the road to Valporquero Cave.

The entrance to the Valporquero Cave.

A close-up view inside the Maravillas Hall.

A detailed view of a stalactite inside Valporquero Cave.

The Phantom, a unique rock formation.

The Cave of Valporquero is a famous natural cave in northern Spain. You can find it in the Province of León, close to a small village called Valporquero de Torío. This amazing cave is about 47 kilometers (about 29 miles) from the city of León. It first opened for visitors in 1966. The local government, called the Diputación de León, helps manage it.

Exploring Valporquero Cave

The Cave of Valporquero offers an exciting adventure underground. There are two main ways to explore it: a tourist route and a longer, more challenging route for experienced explorers.

The Tourist Route

The part of the cave open to most visitors is about 1,300 meters (around 0.8 miles) long. This route takes you through six different "halls." Each hall has unique and beautiful rock formations. As you move deeper, the formations become more complex and diverse.

Amazing Rock Formations

Inside the cave, you will see many incredible geological formations. These include stalactites, which hang from the ceiling, and stalagmites, which grow up from the floor. They are formed over thousands of years as water drips and leaves behind minerals.

The Underground River Route

Below the main tourist path, there is a much longer section of the cave. This "bottom level" is about 3,150 meters (nearly 2 miles) long. It includes a cool underground river that flows through the cave. This part is usually explored by people who are experienced in caving.

The Six Main Halls

The tourist route takes you through six special halls, each with its own charm. They are:

• Pequeñas Maravillas (Small Marvels Hall): This is often the first hall you see, with smaller but still beautiful formations.
• Gran Rotonda (Great Rotunda): A large, round chamber that feels very open.
• Hadas (Fairies Hall): Named for its delicate and whimsical formations.
• Cementerio Estalactítico (Stalactite Cemetery): Here, you might see many stalactites, some broken or very old.
• Gran Vía (Great Way): A long passage that leads to more wonders.
• Maravillas (Marvels Hall): This hall is known for its most impressive and stunning formations.

See Also

• In Spanish: Cueva de Valporquero para niños