Trip Planner: Europe / Spain / Cantabria / Celis / Cueva El Soplao

Cueva El Soplao, Celis

4.6

El Soplao is a cave located in the municipalities of Rionansa, Valdáliga and Herrerías in Cantabria, Spain. It is considered unique for the quality and quantity of geological formations in its 17 miles length, 6 of which are open to the public. In it are formations such as helíctites and curtains . Its formation dates back to the Mesozoic, in particular the Cretaceous period 240 million years ago. The entrance is at 540 metres in the Sierra Soplao Arnero.The cave was accidentally discovered during drilling for mining, subsequently being exploited for the extraction of minerals. During its operation, many local families were supported by the income they got from the mining, combined with farming livestock. After decades of neglect, speleology, and in particular the Cantabria University Speleology Club since 1975, have discovered its true geological value.On July 1, 2005 the Government of Cantabria opened it to the public and publicised it internationally, after development for tourism and protection rules prohibiting any further activity by the discoverering club. Research goes on, resulting in the study of amber deposits, the recognition of underground stromatolites formed by manganese-oxidising bacteria, and a new mineral form, zaccagnaite-3R.

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Cueva El Soplao Reviews

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4.6

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5.0

77 likes

By lotopiloto On March 26, 2018

Mi experiencia en la cueva fue buena pero mada mas, le falta atractivo, la cueva en si esta muy bien, pero vas un poco deprisa la visita me parece corta en tiempo y en distancia sobre todo por lo espe... more »

My experience in the cave was good but mada more attractive, the cave in if this is missing, but going a little quickly visit seems short on time and in distance above all for the spectacular site, in that respect it is very disappointing , explanations recorded, when you change your room shut off the lights and you can no longer see anything, you can not stop to enjoy it by that leaves the train, so they have much, from my point of view, to gain a foothold as essential cave.

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By Sonia C On March 25, 2018

Visita obligada, me pareció un lugar precioso y muy interesante. Se puede hacer la ruta aventura que te adentra 1'5 km más en la cueva de la ruta turística. more »

Visit forced, found me a beautiful place and very interesting. You can do the route adventure that takes you 1'5 km more in the cave of the tourist route.

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By Saara C On March 19, 2018

Nosotros cogimos la entrada a través del hotel, tarifa normal para la visita guiada normal son 12.50€ y para estudiantes la tarifa reducida son 10€. Sin embargo, repetiremos con la visita aventura por... more »

We took the entrance through the hotel, normal rate for normal guided tour are €12.50 and for students the reduced rate is €10. However, repeat visit Adventure because we are left wanting more! The visit to this site must be mandatory, it is beautiful and very interesting explanations, is a unique landscape! They can not take pictures or touch anything, obviously for its conservation, but doesn't matter because at the exit there is a shop that has postcards to €0.75 to bring a nice souvenir P.S.: we were recommended to be half an hour before our appointment. * I recommend proper footwear to go through the countryside and comfortable because inside it is the moist soil and even at some point with some charquito

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By Tzvi Grisha Zvirin On August 27, 2017

Order the tickets in advance!!! The cave is very beautiful, with big veraety stalactites and stalagmites. The guided tour is only on Spanish, but the guide explained us privately on English and was very kind. Definitely worth a visit.

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By eyrewiut On August 19, 2017

Very interesting, pretty crystals, very cool tour. Tour guides speak English but simply looking at the crystals is interesting enough anyway. Listening to the history is very worthwhile.

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By Maja W-L On August 25, 2017

REMEMBER TO BOOK TICKET ONLINE ;) In other way you will need to come back later, but it still is totally worth it. Pamiętaj Przyjacielu Drogi, by nie nakładać drogi, zakupić bilet online ;)

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By Christof Brückmann On August 21, 2016

The mandatory guided tour is only in Spanish and our tour guide didn't even try a little to explain something (in between) in English. The cave itself is quite nice though, but the attitude of our guide pretty much ruined our stay.

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By Gary Savage On September 6, 2016

Stunning formations. I've been to plenty of caves and these were outstanding. Beautiful surrounds as well.

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