MR Adventures: Benaoján to Cueva Del Gato

The access to Cueva del Gato is very straightforward and a short walk from the Benoajan train station. At the entrance to the cave is a large pool with a waterfall which is ideal for cooling off in the summer months and an ideal spot for that picnic. The water is crystal clear, very clean and exceptionally cold.

The Cueva del Gato is one of the most unique cave complexes in Andalusia.
It has two entrances, one to the north in Hundidero and the other to the south in Cueva del Gato (cat's cave). The cat's cave supposedly takes its name from the cat-like appearance it has. The mouth of the cave is said to resemble a cat's face.
The cave was formed through necessity. The Gaduares river is blocked by the Sierra del Algarrobo (the Algarrobo mountains), as a consequence, the river was forced to carve away at the rocks to find an outlet for its waters. The resulting cave complex is nothing short of spectacular.
The Cueva del Gato is 17m wide and 25m high, it provides a naturally hollowed out area, where the Gaduares river resurfaces and joins the Guadiaro river. The main passage is over 4km long.
During drier seasons, there are 25 individual lakes within the cave complex. The longest of which is called the Cabo de las Tormentas (cape of thunderstorms) and is 114m long. The lakes can only be crossed by swimming.
The cave runs for just over 8kms with 112m inclination between the entrances of the Hundidero and Gato. It is home to some unique and beautiful structures, such as the Sala de Los Gours (Gours hill), the Gran Estalagmita (the great stalagmite) or the Cabo de las Tormentas - mentioned above. Other features of note, include the Plaza de Tores (the bullring) with a diameter of 50m and the Galeria de las Cabras (the goat’s passageway).