Avenc de Can Torres

Avenc de Can Torres is a small vertical cave (avenc, or sinkhole cave) in the municipality of Matadepera, at the foot of the Sant Llorenç del Munt massif in Catalonia. It's one of dozens of speleological features scattered across the surrounding hills — a spot for hiking and caving enthusiasts rather than a fully developed tourist attraction.

What is an avenc, and what makes this one different?

An avenc is a vertical karst cave, entered from above, unlike horizontal caves with entrances set into a hillside. Avenc de Can Torres stands out for having a double entrance opening — a feature less common among the caves in this area, making it a point of interest for anyone curious about karst geology and speleology.

The cave sits at the far end of the fields in front of the former Can Torres farmhouse, which gave it its name. Reaching it means leaving the marked trail and climbing roughly 50 meters across bare, rocky terrain without vegetation.

How do you get to Avenc de Can Torres?

The starting point is Matadepera, a town at the base of the Sant Llorenç del Munt i Serra de l'Obac massif. From there, hiking trails lead toward the old Can Torres farmstead and the nearby Font de la Tartana spring. Several popular trekking routes cross through this area, connecting other karst features in the region such as Collet de Cabrafiga and the Gurugú hill.

Note that the cave opening itself, given its vertical drop and lack of safety installations, isn't suitable for casual exploration without proper caving equipment and experience. For most visitors, the appeal lies in reaching the site and observing the distinctive double entrance set into the rocky terrain.

What's the history behind it?

Avenc de Can Torres has a documented exploration history dating back to the early 1920s, when it was visited by members of the Centre Excursionista de Terrassa. From 1952 onward, it became one of the most frequently visited avencs in the area, particularly among caving enthusiasts. Members of the GES-CMB group produced the cave's first topographic survey, published in 1954 — a document still used as a reference for cataloguing caves in the region.

What else can you see nearby?

Matadepera and the surrounding Sant Llorenç del Munt massif are known for their abundance of karst formations — the municipality alone has 89 catalogued caves and fissures, including 30 avencs and 59 horizontal caves. That means a hike to Avenc de Can Torres can easily be combined with visits to other nearby features, such as the Font de la Tartana spring or surrounding hilltops with views over the Vallès Occidental valley.

The landscape around the cave is typical Mediterranean scrubland with patches of exposed limestone rock, making the walk worthwhile for anyone interested in nature and geology as well.

When's the best time to visit?

Spring and autumn are the best seasons for hiking in this area, with mild temperatures and the Mediterranean vegetation at its greenest. In summer, the exposed, shadeless approach to the cave can be tiring given Catalonia's typically high temperatures.

Frequently asked questions

Can you go inside Avenc de Can Torres? As a vertical avenc, the cave requires caving equipment (ropes, harnesses) and experience with vertical caving techniques. It's not a site for unassisted exploration without proper preparation.

How long is the walk from Matadepera? It depends on the chosen hiking route, but the final stretch from the main trail to the cave opening is about 50 meters of climbing over rocky ground.

Are there other caves worth visiting nearby? Yes — Matadepera and the Sant Llorenç del Munt massif form one of the richest karst areas in the region, with 89 catalogued caves, including the nearby Avenc de Can Pèlags and Avenc de la Codoleda.

What's meant by the "double opening"? It refers to two separate entrances leading into the same cave, located close together — a geological feature resulting from how the karst system formed.