▷ This is the Excursion to La Cueva de Las Palomas de La Palma

Discover the wonders hidden in the depths of La Palma with an exciting caving adventure in the Cueva de Las Palomas.

This famous volcanic cave invites you to explore the intriguing underground world of a volcanic tube more than 500 metres long.

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Hiking tour through the volcanic tube of La Cueva de Las Palomas

Meeting and Start of the Adventure

The meeting point for this unique experience begins at the Caños de Fuego Interpretation Centre. Here, your guide will welcome you and prepare you for an unforgettable exploration of the most impressive volcanic tube on La Palma.

A Journey through Time

As you walk towards the entrance of the cave, your guide will take you on a journey back in time, explaining how this underground tunnel was formed in 1949 after the eruption of the San Juan volcano.

The lava flow tour is a fascinating introduction to the volcanic nature of the island.

Preparation and Equipment

Before entering the cave, you will receive the necessary caving equipment.

Helmet on your head and torch in hand, you are ready to dive into the cave.

Cave Exploration

Exploring the Cueva de Las Palomas is an incredible experience. Along almost half a kilometre, you will discover how the local fauna has adapted to this environment and admire the extraordinary shapes created by the solidified lava.

Your guide will show you the scientific and biological significance of this natural monument, ensuring that the experience is both educational and exciting.

Return and Conclusion

After two hours of exploration and learning, the route will take you back to the starting point, ending an unforgettable adventure in the depths of La Palma.

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Additional information on the activity

Price: 25€ for adults, with discounts for residents of the Canary Islands and children.
Language: The activity is mainly in Spanish, but could be bilingual at times.
Inclusion: Spanish speaking guide and caving equipment.
Duration: 2 hours.
Booking: Can be booked up to the start time, subject to availability.
Accessibility: Not wheelchair accessible.
Pets: Not allowed.

9 curiosities of the Cueva de Las Palomas on La Palma

Here are some interesting facts to help you get to know the Cueva de Las Palomas before you see it in person:

Official Designation: It has been declared a site of natural interest by Unesco and a natural monument by the Government of the Canary Islands. It also forms part of the Canary Islands Network of Protected Natural Spaces.
Geomorphological importance: It is a lava tube, a typical structure of young volcanic areas, with a significant representation on La Palma.
Scientific and Biological Value: Its geological importance is evident, but it is also home to a peculiar fauna of invertebrates, mainly troglobitic arthropods, adapted to the unique conditions of the volcanic tube.
Origin: The cave was formed in the eruption of the San Juan volcano in 1949. The lava that erupted in Llano del Banco and flowed towards the west side of the island resulted in the formation of this gallery.
Dimensions: The cave is approximately three metres wide and 560 metres long. A more detailed topography could extend its length to more than 600 metres.
Mouths and Fumaroles: The cave has more than ten mouths that offer natural light at various points along the route. Some of these are ancient fumaroles or degassing holes, which released lava and gases during the formation of the tube.
Todoque II: The cave has a continuation, the Cueva de Todoque II, not connected underground due to an earth movement in 1987, which caused an obstruction in the interior.
Legal Protection: It has been classified and reclassified by various laws as a natural monument and an area of ecological sensitivity, contributing to its protection and conservation.
Resistance to Eruptions: Unlike nearby areas that were affected by the volcanic eruption of La Palma in 2021, the volcanic tube of Cueva de Las Palomas remains intact.