Forat del Gurdem Vell

Forat del Gurdem Vell is a natural sinkhole cave in the municipality of Abella de la Conca, in the Pallars Jussà county of Catalonia. It sits northeast of the village itself, in the upper valley of the Abella river, on the southern side of a hillside near the abandoned Cal Gurdem Vell farmhouse, which gave the cave its name. The site lies within the Boumort massif area, a region well known among nature lovers and cavers exploring the Pyrenees.

What is this place?

Forat del Gurdem Vell is a vertical karst cave (an avenc, or sinkhole shaft) reaching a maximum depth of 35 metres. The entrance measures roughly 3 by 1.5 metres and opens into a first 5-metre drop that leads to a pile of loose rock debris. From there, a shaft of about 20 metres continues downward, ending in a cone of unstable rock material. Reaching the lowest point of the cave is made difficult precisely because of this shifting debris, so exploring it safely requires caving experience and proper equipment.

The cave was first explored in February 1966 by the SIE-CE Àliga group, one of the Catalan caving sections active in the Pallars Jussà area at the time.

How do you get there?

The starting point is the village of Abella de la Conca, a small settlement in Pallars Jussà, Lleida province. From the village centre, head northeast up the Abella river valley toward the land once belonging to the Cal Gurdem Vell farmhouse. The route crosses typical Catalan Pyrenean mountain terrain, so it is worth bringing a topographic map or a local guide, since the cave is not a marked tourist attraction and finding the entrance requires some orientation skills.

What should you know before visiting?

Given the nature of the cave — a vertical shaft with unstable rock debris at the bottom — descending into it is not recommended without caving training and proper safety gear. The surrounding area, however, including the upper Abella valley and the slopes of the Boumort massif, is well suited for hiking and observing the karst landscape typical of this part of the Pyrenees.

When is the best time to visit?

Spring and autumn are the best seasons to explore the Abella de la Conca area, offering moderate mountain temperatures and trails that are not washed out by winter precipitation. Summers can get hot, though the higher elevations around Boumort provide a cooler microclimate. In winter, access to the more remote parts of the valley can be hindered by snow.

Frequently asked questions

Can I enter the cave without caving experience? It's not advisable. Forat del Gurdem Vell is a vertical cave with a 20-metre shaft and unstable debris at the bottom, requiring safety equipment and caving experience.

How deep is the cave? Its maximum depth reaches 35 metres, measured from an entrance about 3 by 1.5 metres wide.

Where does the cave's name come from? The name refers to the nearby abandoned farmhouse Cal Gurdem Vell, next to which the cave entrance is located.

Who first explored this cave? The first exploration took place in February 1966, carried out by the SIE-CE Àliga caving group.