Valdavara Caves

Valdavara Caves form a karst cave system located in the municipality of Becerreá, in the eastern part of Lugo province, Galicia. The site is best known among archaeologists and paleontologists as one of the key research locations for understanding the prehistory of northwestern Spain, and it's increasingly drawing the attention of visitors interested in geology and regional history.

What makes this site significant?

Within the same karst system lie two distinct archaeological sites, known as Valdavara 1 and Valdavara 2. Valdavara 1 shows two separate stratigraphic layers: an upper one linked to more recent prehistoric periods, and a lower one that yielded radiometric dates placing it in the Upper Paleolithic. That matters because Upper Paleolithic sites are genuinely rare in Galicia — most known traces of early human presence in the region belong to other periods. Valdavara 2, meanwhile, produced human remains dated to the Bronze Age.

The paleontological side of the site is equally important. The cave deposits contain one of the richest collections of microvertebrate fossils found anywhere in Galicia, including remains of amphibians, reptiles, insectivores (such as shrews), bats, and rodents. This material lets researchers reconstruct the climatic and environmental shifts that took place during the transition from the Pleistocene to the Holocene in northwestern Iberia. Valdavara is also where the first documented fossil record of the golden-striped salamander (Chioglossa lusitanica) was found — an amphibian species endemic to northwestern Iberia.

How to get there?

The caves sit within the municipal boundaries of Becerreá, close to the center of this small town in Lugo province. The approximate coordinates of the system are 42.853°N, -7.136°W. Because this is an active scientific site, access to specific cave entrances can be restricted or require prior arrangement — it's worth checking with the local tourist information office in Becerreá before your visit to confirm what can currently be seen in the area.

What will you see?

The surrounding countryside around Becerreá is typical of eastern Galicia: limestone hills, river valleys, and the rolling terrain characteristic of karst landscapes. For anyone interested in geology or prehistory, it's a great starting point for understanding what life looked like here tens of thousands of years ago. It's worth combining a visit to the Valdavara area with other attractions in the Becerreá municipality and the wider Lugo province, a region known for numerous caves and karst formations.

When to visit?

The best time to explore eastern Galicia runs from spring through early autumn (April to October), when weather conditions are more stable and hiking the surrounding hills is more comfortable. Winters in the region tend to be cold and damp, which can make longer outdoor excursions harder to enjoy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you visit Valdavara Caves like a typical show cave? Not really — this is primarily an active research site of major scientific value rather than a commercially developed show cave. It's best to check locally what level of access is currently available before planning a visit.

What was discovered at Valdavara Caves? Traces of Upper Paleolithic and Bronze Age human presence (at the Valdavara 1 and Valdavara 2 sites), along with a rich collection of microvertebrate fossils, including the earliest known fossil record of the golden-striped salamander.

Why is Valdavara important for science? Because Upper Paleolithic sites are rare in Galicia, and the finds from Valdavara help researchers understand both the history of human settlement and the climatic changes that occurred during the Pleistocene-Holocene transition in this part of the Iberian Peninsula.

Where is Becerreá located? Becerreá is a municipality in the eastern part of Lugo province, in Galicia, in northwestern Spain.