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Andalusia · about 7 km from Ronda

Cueva del Gato

  • CertificationFull cave
  • SpecialSidemount
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The dive

The exit of the Hundidero–Gato system, according to Wikipedia the most important cave system in Andalusia. It is known as a caving through-trip: ~5 km, ~2.5 km of it swimming and wading in very cold water.

Sudden rises of the underground river after rain, combined with the cold water, have caused several deaths (including in 1981).
Source: Wikipedia (es) – Cueva del Gato ↗Source: Travesías espeleológicas – Sistema Hundidero-Gato ↗
Profile and sections

The exit of the Hundidero–Gato system, according to Wikipedia the most important cave system in Andalusia. It is known as a caving through-trip: ~5 km, ~2.5 km of it swimming and wading in very cold water. Diving only happens during club explorations (e.g. Galería del Fantasma).

The cave lies in the Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park and is a Monumento Natural (2011) and Bien de Interés Cultural (rock art), with bat colonies.

Depth and profile
No dive data published. Hundidero–Gato system: 7,818 m surveyed, -219 m; Gato exit at 423 m. Two side galleries (446 m and 328 m) are flooded.
Configuration
Unknown. Long swims and scrambles make sidemount or small cylinders the obvious choice (estimate).
DPV: Not DPV-suitable (estimate)
Reached by swimming and scrambling: no scooter (estimate).
Who can dive where
  • CaveAt least Full cave
  • Whole caveConfigurations: Backmount / twinset / Sidemount / CCR / Small cylinders / no-mount (speleo sumps)
  • Whole caveExperienced divers only · doesn't decide who may dive
Dry sections / haulingExperienced diversDepends on water level or swellPermission needed

This is how the planner decides who in your team may dive this cave. Rules your own trip adds (organizer, a mail, the AI) show with your trip.

How to get there

From Benaoján station a 2.2 km walk along the Río Guadiaro (trail SL-A 139, listed by the Junta as temporarily closed). Entering the cave requires authorization. The pool in front of the entrance (Charco Frío) is a paid swimming spot in summer.

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Around Cueva del Gato

FillsNo fill station known nearby
Where to sleepAround Ronda on Booking.com ↗

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Caves nearby3 within 27 km

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Sources, sharing and disclaimer

Sources

Current conditions

Visibility, flow and water levels change quickly. Right before your dive, check what other divers report:

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Certification requirements, configurations and trimix depths are estimates for planning. Always check them locally and dive within your training. Compiled from web research (reports and surveys of Andalusian caving clubs, Junta de Andalucía/BOJA, BOE, dive centres, Yunquera town hall, news; Sept 2026). Pins converted from UTM coordinates in club reports (datum not stated), the Cueva del Gato's from Grottocenter; ~ = estimate. Rules change — check locally.