Avenc del Club

Avenc del Club is a vertical karst shaft near Matadepera, in Catalonia's Vallès Occidental region, tucked into the Sant Llorenç del Munt massif. It's a well-known reference point among Catalan cavers, though for the average visitor it's more of a landscape curiosity than a place to explore without preparation.

Where exactly is it?

The entrance sits beside the Can Pobla track that climbs toward La Mola peak, right at the mouth of Canal de les Bruixes — the "Witches' Ravine," a name that fits the rugged, rocky character of this corner of the massif rather well. Access starts on Carrer de Granera, at the end of Carrer de les Boixaderes in Matadepera. The shaft opens in Eocene conglomerate rock, the same hard sedimentary formation that shapes much of the Sant Llorenç del Munt range.

How do you get there?

From central Matadepera, drive or walk to the start of the trail on Carrer de Granera, then follow the wide Can Pobla track uphill toward La Mola. Along the way you pass the mouth of Canal de les Bruixes, where the shaft's narrow opening sits right next to the path, fitted with a grille. The walk itself is short but runs over mountainous terrain, so sturdy hiking boots are worth having. The grille was installed by local farmers to keep livestock and unwary walkers from falling in — this is not a spot for casual, unequipped exploration.

What will you see?

From the surface, all that's visible is a narrow, funnel-shaped opening dropping into the rock — the rest of the cave lies below and only reveals itself to those equipped for caving. Inside, a ramp lined with old stalactite formations leads to the vertical shaft itself, first explored to a depth of about 70 metres, with modern route descriptions putting the full depth at close to 90 metres. Those numbers are why Avenc del Club counts among the deeper, more demanding cavities in the Sant Llorenç del Munt massif. For non-cavers, the real reward is the approach itself: Canal de les Bruixes is a shaded, rocky ravine typical of this part of the natural park, and worth the walk on its own.

A bit of history

The cave was found in 1906 by Josep Maria Cuadras while out hunting in the area. A year later, on 11 December 1907, three members of the Club Muntanyenc — J.M. Có, J. Montllor and J. Coromines — descended to a depth of 70 metres, a serious feat of exploration for the time. The cave takes its name from that club, and it remains a reference point for Catalan speleologists today.

When should you visit?

Spring and autumn are the best seasons for a trip to Canal de les Bruixes, when temperatures across the Sant Llorenç del Munt massif are mild and the trails stay dry. Summer brings intense sun and dry ground that make the longer approach tougher, while winter can leave the rocky sections slippery after rain. The cave itself holds a steady, cool temperature year-round, but reaching it always depends on good conditions on the approach trail.

Frequently asked questions

Can you enter Avenc del Club without caving experience? No. It's a vertical karst shaft that requires rope, harness and rappelling skills — going in without the right training and gear is dangerous.

How deep is the cave? The first documented descent in 1907 reached 70 metres, and modern route descriptions put the full depth at close to 90 metres.

Is the walk worth it even without going inside? Yes — the approach through Canal de les Bruixes and the Can Pobla track toward La Mola is an attractive hike through the rocky terrain of the Sant Llorenç del Munt massif.

Where does the cave's name come from? It's named after Club Muntanyenc, whose members made the first documented descent to 70 metres in 1907.