Cueva de las Majadillas

Cueva de las Majadillas is one of the largest caves in the province of Guadalajara, located in the municipality of Sacecorbo, inside the Alto Tajo Natural Park in Castile-La Mancha, Spain. Its passages extend for more than 2,000 metres, making it one of the most notable caving destinations in this part of central Spain.

What will you see inside?

After descending an entrance shaft roughly 8 metres deep, the route continues through a mostly horizontal network of galleries. Several distinct sections stand out along the way: a chamber holding a water tank with clay-textured formations, a set of dry corridors with an irregular profile, and the so-called Beach Room, where fine sediment forms a surface that resembles a sandy shore. One of the tightest spots on the route, locally nicknamed "el Paso del Chumino," forces visitors to squeeze through sideways or on all fours — usually the moment people remember most from the trip.

Apart from the initial rope descent, the cave demands no advanced climbing skills, which is why it's often recommended as a first proper introduction to caving.

How do you visit the cave?

Cueva de las Majadillas sits within the municipal boundaries of Sacecorbo, in the Alto Tajo area — one of the best-preserved natural landscapes in the Guadalajara region. Because the cave has suffered from deterioration over the years, access is tightly controlled: the entrance is secured with a gate, and visits are only allowed with written permission from the Sacecorbo town council. Groups are capped at 10 people, and every participant must present identification. Requests to visit must be submitted at least 15 days in advance, specifying the date and the list of participants.

In practice, this means a visit is realistically organised through a caving club or federated group equipped with the rope, harness, and lit helmets needed to descend the entrance shaft safely.

When should you go?

Since the interior temperature stays constant year-round, there's no single "best" caving season in terms of conditions underground. What matters more is the approach: spring and autumn tend to make travel to Sacecorbo and the surrounding Alto Tajo area — mostly along local roads winding through hills and the valley of the Tagus river — more comfortable, and they let you pair the descent with time exploring the natural park above ground.

Why visit this part of Alto Tajo?

Sacecorbo sits at the heart of a landscape shaped by limestone canyons carved by the Tagus river and its tributaries. An extensive cave system like Majadillas is a direct result of this karst geology — beneath the surface lies a network of passages that has drawn cavers from across Spain for decades.

Frequently asked questions

Can anyone visit Cueva de las Majadillas? No — entry requires prior written permission from the Sacecorbo town council, groups are limited to a maximum of 10 people, and in practice a visit means joining a trip organised by a caving club.

Do you need caving experience? Aside from the initial descent through the 8-metre entrance shaft, which requires a rope and basic gear, the rest of the route is mostly horizontal and manageable for newcomers accompanied by a guide or club.

How long does a visit take? Given the length of the system (over 2,000 metres) and the care needed to pass tight sections like "el Paso del Chumino," a full visit typically takes several hours.

Where do you apply for permission to enter? Requests go through the Sacecorbo town council, submitted at least 15 days ahead of the planned visit date, including the date and the names of participants.