Volcanic caving Cueva de Las Palomas (ES-EN) LA PALMA

GUIDED TOURS TO THE CUEVA DE LAS PALOMAS VOLCANIC TUBE. (LA PALMA)

Volcanic caving: guided tours of the largest volcanic tube formed on the island of La Palma during the eruption of the San Juan Volcano (1949)

At the foot of the western slope of Cumbre Vieja lies the "Cueva de Las Palomas," a volcanic tube formed by the 1949 eruption (San Juan Volcano), which since 2016 can be visited by making an appointment.

Along a walkway built over the volcanic flow as an access road to the main mouth, you can observe the different shapes, now solidified, that the lava took on its way.

This explanation is necessary to better understand the genesis of the volcanic tube, since the surface of the volcanic flow and its subsoil are intimately related.

After walking about 430 m of the walkway with several educational stops to chat about lava, volcanism, and caving in general, you'll get ready to enter the volcanic tube that lies in the heart of the lava flow you've been walking on.

Since the cave is mostly in its natural state, there are no artificial lights or a consolidated path inside, so each visitor is equipped with a caving helmet with autonomous lighting.

We'll cover about 280 m of the cave downhill, making stops inside to explain the key points of its formation and answer visitors' questions and curiosities.

After the educational part, we'll retrace our steps to the starting point, answering any questions you might have about the visit.

Not suitable for

• Children under 8 years
• People with claustrophobia
• Pregnant women

What to bring

• Closed-toe shoes

Not allowed

• Sandals or flip flops

Know before you go

• Minimum age 6 years, recommended 8 years or older. There is no upper age limit, but the cave is not suitable for people with mobility problems. The ground may be uneven and/or slippery in certain places, and it is necessary to bend down in a couple of places to pass through low ceiling sections. Tour guides may prevent entry to people they consider unsuitable for walking through the cave.
• Personal equipment required: (MANDATORY) Comfortable, sturdy footwear: the cave floor is in its natural state, being abrasive and somewhat crumbly. Open shoes or sandals are not allowed, and sneakers or street shoes may suffer from the roughness of the lava. The most appropriate footwear is hiking boots. The temperature inside is around 17ºC; warm clothing and/or sun protection is recommended for walking along the walkway, depending on the season.