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A natural work of art
This geological treasure, sculpted inside the León mountain, has one of the largest collections of stalactites and stalagmites in the Iberian Peninsula.
Located a 45-minute drive from León, Valporquero Cave opened to the public in 1966 and quickly became one of the main tourist attractions in the province. Currently, the cave offers guided tours for geology enthusiasts and adventurers from March until December 9th, when the season ends.
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More than a million years ago, the cold waters of the Valporquero River began to carve their way through the cracks of the León mountain, perforating the limestone and sculpting, over time, a magnificent work of natural art. The result was Valporquero Cave, considered one of the most important karst formations in the Iberian Peninsula due to the impressive collection of stalactites, stalagmites, flows, and columns that unfold inside.
A cave of seven chambers
The cave's mouth, the entrance to it, is situated at an elevation of 1309 meters, beneath the village of Valporquero. Once across the threshold, seven chambers filled with underground wonders follow, occasionally sprinkled with a crystal-clear stream that makes its way through the mountain. Visitors who enter this grand geological cathedral walk along a pathway illuminated by points of light that highlight not only the route but also the silhouettes formed inside the cave over thousands of years.
The first chamber, known as Little Wonders, is preceded by a small lake and features a series of rock formations that have been named by tourists based on their resemblance to certain characters or figures. Some of these include "The Leaning Tower of Pisa," "The Twins," "The Organ," or "The Virgin with the Child." Next is the Great Rotunda, the largest cavity on the tour, named for its circular shape, topped by a natural vault over 20 meters high.
The following steps lead to the Fairies chamber, characterized by housing a 15-meter waterfall, and the Stalactite Cemetery, whose floor is covered with stalagmites that seem to point towards a ceiling filled with dark-colored stalactites. The walls of this chamber narrow as the path progresses, directing visitors to the Grand Avenue, a narrow room 8 meters wide and 40 meters high, whose end sinks down to meet the lower galleries and the river's flow.
In other parts of the cave, one can find the Lone Column and the Wonders room, which features the most geological formations in the cave, showcasing silhouettes of different sizes and colors, ranging from ochre shades to stony whites. Additionally, the cave houses an active water course whose flow increases during the rainy season, making spring and autumn the best times to visit.
Three possible tours
Visitors can choose from three different tours. The standard tour includes a visit to the first five chambers and lasts approximately one hour. The longer, more comprehensive tour takes between 90 and 100 minutes and allows exploration of all seven chambers of the cave.
Small groups can enjoy a special tour, the Uncommon Valporquero, which includes the itinerary of the longer tour, along with a visit to the upper section of the Little Wonders chamber, the access gallery to the Water Course, the lower area of the Wonders chamber, the lake, and the end of the Cave. This tour lasts between two and three hours and is recommended for those over 12 years old.
Schedules and tickets
During the months of March, April, October, November, and until December 9th, Valporquero Cave will open from Thursday to Sunday (as well as on holidays and Easter), until 5 PM, conducting standard tours every 40 to 50 minutes and the longer tour at 12 PM and 3:30 PM. From May 1st until the last day of September, the hours will extend until 6 PM. Additionally, the Uncommon Valporquero tour will be available throughout the season on Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays at 9:20 AM.
Tickets for the standard and longer tours can be purchased at the cave's ticket offices on the same day of the visit. However, tickets for the Uncommon Valporquero itinerary must be purchased in advance through the cave's website.