Although many call Valporquero caves the underground cathedral, what you see inside these caves surpasses any building made by man. Inside the caves is a magical world that has even served as the backdrop for famous films such as Journey to the Centre of the Earth.
For more than a million years, the water that filtered from Valporquero stream, which still flows through the cave, has carved out sculptures, shapes and structures that are almost unique, notwithstanding the fact that it is a relatively young area. In total, seven halls can be visited, which increase in grandeur and depth as the tour progresses.
- Natural context of the cave
- What to see on your visit to the caves
- How to get to Valporquero caves
- Planning your visit: opening hours, tips, guides, etc.
- Where to stay in the province of León
Natural context of the cave
Valporquero caves are steeped in legends to do with hiding places and even stories of salvation, such as the people of two villages who hid inside the cave during the Spanish Civil War. The Valporquero area is full of gorges leading to lush green valleys and rivers running through dense forests populated with oak and beech trees.
The limestone rock from which it is formed offer the perfect conditions so that the icy waters of the Valporquero stream can sculpt its way throughout the cave.
Geologically, the cave has two levels, and, over the years, or rather over the centuries, the water eventually reached the lower level in an open waterfall over the rock. Even now these two different levels can still be seen.
What to see on your visit to the caves
On a visit to the caves you can see seven halls starting at the entrance through to the Hall of Wonders.
The first thing you come across after passing through the entrance tunnel is an illuminated green lake beneath a ceiling carved into the rock. This is the Hall of Small Wonders, where you can see a Tower of Pisa or a Madonna and Child, depending on how you look at the rock.
The next room is the Great Rotunda, which reaches a height of up to 20 metres. When the water level of the stream rises, the noise in this part of the cave is astonishing.
Then comes the Hall of Fairies, which is full of stalactites that, to the first people to see them, looked like fantastic beings, and then the Stalactite Cemetery.
On Gran Via, the next phase of the visit, the river can no longer be heard but the rocks continue to take on different forms as well as a central column, the Solitary Column, which stands in the centre of the space.
This is the point where the regular tour ends, but if you opt to take the long option, you will then enter the Hall of Wonders, the most complete area in terms of geological formations. What’s more, the way to really appreciate it is to turn off all the lights while listening to the stream and then turn them on suddenly to admire the lights and shadows in all their splendour.
How to get to Valporquero caves
There are two ways to travel the 50-kilometre distance between León and the caves, which is about an hour’s drive. The first is by a provincial road, the LE-311 to Robles de la Valcueva, where you must then take the LE-315 directly to Felmín, from where you will find signs directing you to the caves.
If, on the other hand, you choose to take the N-630 road, you must make your way to La Robla to take the CL-626. Both roads are a great way to enjoy the impressive natural setting.
Planning your visit: opening hours, tips, guides, etc.
The first tip for visiting the caves is to wear warm clothes, as they are at a constant temperature of 7 degrees, more or less, and suitable footwear for the tour. Also, keep in mind that there are several types of tours: the regular tour, which goes up to the Gran Vía; the long tour, which also includes the Hall of Wonders, and the so-called Valporquero Insólito, a tour carried out in small groups, which lasts two and a half hours, taking in different halls with the only light coming from your helmets and involving caving activities that are not recommended for children under 12 years of age.
In this case, tickets must be booked online as places are limited.
The caves are open from October to April, from 10 am to 5 pm, and in summer the closing time is extended by one hour.
The price of the tour depends on the option you choose. In principle, children under six years of age enter for free and teenagers under 14 years of age have a discount. The regular tour costs 6 euros per person and the long tour, 8.50 euros.
The cost of the Valporquero Insólito tour is 18 euros per person, with no discounts applicable.
Where to stay in the province of León
One of the best places to stay in León province is in the centre of the city of León, where there are two unique options: the Barceló León Conde Luna and the Occidental León Alfonso V, both of which are close to the historical landmarks.
The Barceló León Conde Luna is less than a five-minute walk from the cathedral, which makes it the perfect place to continue enjoying all that León has to offer, in the day and at night.
The hotel is very close to all the must-see attractions in the city, such as the Casa Botines museum, Conde Luna palace, San Isidoro church, Plaza Mayor and the Museum of Contemporary Art. It is also less then a kilometre from the AVE high-speed train station. The hotel has 136 bright, fully-equipped rooms and a carefully-selected buffet breakfast service to help you start the day with energy.
It is also the perfect place to hold conventions, congresses and business meetings and to work remotely, as it has five spacious function rooms, spanning over 1,000 square metres, all benefiting from natural light and equipped with the latest technology. It also has function rooms for wedding parties, including a cocktail and banquet service.
It is no surprise that the Barceló León Conde Luna offers this service since it boasts two of the city’s most emblematic restaurants, the Nimú Azotea, located on the tenth floor, and Casa Mando.
The Occidental León Alfonso V also allows you to visit the centre of the city of León and its entertainment, shopping and business centre by foot, as it is just a short walk from Casa Botines, the cathedral and the Collegiate Church of San Isidoro. Also in the vicinity of the hotel are Conde Luna palace, San Marcos convent, the Museum of León and the modern MUSAC (Museum of Contemporary Art), without forgetting the famous Barrio Húmedo, the city’s tapas and night-life centre.
The architecture of the hotel will amaze guests as it features an impressive interior dome that rises from the reception area to the eighth floor.
In total the hotel has 62 welcoming rooms with all the necessary mod cons for a unique experience in the heart of the city and also offers an exquisite breakfast.
