Cova de l'Avi Company

Cova de l'Avi Company is a small karst cave — really a vertical shaft — in Torroella de Montgrí, in the Baix Empordà region of Catalonia. It sits inside the Parc Natural del Montgrí, Illes Medes i Baix Ter, roughly 730 metres northeast of the Muntanya Gran peak, close to the trail leading down to Cala Pedrosa.

How do you get there?

The cave lies within the Montgrí massif, a landscape of dry, rocky hills covered in typical Mediterranean scrub — wild pines, dwarf oaks and low bushes. It's reached on foot, via the network of hiking and pilgrimage paths that cross the massif, including routes connecting Torroella de Montgrí with the coast at Cala Pedrosa. Access to the natural park is free, trails are marked, but the ground is often stony, so sturdy walking shoes are a good idea.

What will you see?

This is a stop for people interested in geology, local history and the quieter corners of the Costa Brava, not a large show cave. It was originally much bigger: under the name "Pou del Clot de l'Avi Company," it appears in biospeleological records from around 1961, when its depth was measured at 20 metres. According to local accounts from Torroella, at some unrecorded point residents set off old Civil War-era bombs inside the shaft, causing a major collapse. By 1979, when speleologist Joan Pallarès surveyed it, only 5 metres of depth remained, and by 2008 members of the SIE-CEA caving group found just 2 metres — the shaft has been gradually filling in ever since.

The name is also tied to a local legend of hidden treasure, recounted in the article "El tresor de la Cova de l'Avi Company" by Dolors Agüera, published in the "Revista del Baix Empordà." That mix of geology, wartime history and local folklore is what makes this modest site a worthwhile detour for anyone exploring the Montgrí massif off the main routes.

When should you visit?

Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are the best seasons for walking this part of the Montgrí massif, when temperatures are mild and the exposed, rocky terrain isn't punishing under the sun. In summer, start early in the morning to avoid the midday heat typical of the Costa Brava coast. Winter brings quiet, near-empty trails, which suits visitors looking for solitude.

Frequently asked questions

Is Cova de l'Avi Company a large cave to explore? No — it's a small, partly collapsed karst shaft only a few metres deep now, not an extensive cave system set up for visitors.

Why is the cave so shallow if it was originally 20 metres deep? It collapsed after local residents detonated old Civil War-era bombs inside it; its depth has kept shrinking since surveys began in the 1960s.

Is the treasure legend a reason to visit? It's an extra point of interest documented in a local history article — the site itself appeals more to those curious about the region's geology and history than to treasure hunters.

Do you need special gear to reach the cave? The approach crosses the dry, rocky terrain of the Montgrí massif, so solid trekking shoes, water and basic route awareness are enough — it isn't a technical climb.