Within the municipality of Arenas de San Pedro, situated in the province of Ávila, lie caverns boasting remarkable karst formations that are sure to impress any visitor: the Cuevas del Águila. Located just an hour and a half from Madrid, this rural destination offers a superb choice for a escapada para viajar por España during the Christmas season. It's a place to find respite from the crowds and congestion typical of major cities at this time of year. Furthermore, it's an ideal period to explore these grottoes, given that their discovery occurred just before Christmas, on December 24, 1963. On that particular day, five young individuals were traversing the Cerro del Águila when they noticed a fissure emitting steam. Upon investigating a small opening, they eventually stumbled upon what are now recognized as the Cuevas del Águila, as detailed in their página web oficial.
This natural area is filled with karst formations, which have been dated to approximately 12-14 million years ago, according to Turismo de Ávila. Rain seepage and underground water flows slowly but steadily eroded these cavities. Until they created this complex located fifty meters deep, which has a total of one kilometer of galleries with various types of geological formations. The Cuevas del Águila, situated on Cerro del Águila or Cerro de Romperropas, are concealed by an oak forest. Fortunately, they can be visited today, via a forty-minute guided tour, which stays at 17 degrees year-round with nearly 100% humidity.
The spectacular Caves of the Eagle are like this
According to the Ávila Tourism Office, Las Cuevas del Águila are comprised of several chambers. The primary chamber reaches a height of 20 meters at its apex, while the others exhibit irregular shapes. Nevertheless, the most captivating aspect of these caverns is the diverse array of colors, textures, and outlines found in their geological structures.
Las formaciones geológicas de Las Cuevas del Águila.
During the tour, guests will have the opportunity to recognize various types of speleothems, which are mineral deposits formed inside caves or caverns. These include the well-known stalagmites and stalactites, but visitors can also see columns and flowstones, needles or anthodites, among others. Throughout the excursion, the guide will provide details about these formations, as well as the unique characteristics of these caves.