In Asturias, a land of hollows and mountains that seem designed to hold secrets, Cueva Huerta joins the ranks of other remarkable caves, though without the prehistoric grandeur of Tito Bustillo or the stalactite-like brilliance of El Pindal cave . Nor can it be compared to the spectacular depths of La Lluera or Candamo, where ancient inhabitants left their artistic expressions on the stone's surface. No, Cueva Huerta is different: wilder, more rugged, with a karst system of almost 14 kilometers of galleries—comprising a gorge, sinkhole, large cave, various underground channels, and a resurgence— where you won't find bison or cave horses, but rather a subterranean symphony of trickles, dark lakes, and bats tracing their blind routes through the shadows. Here lives one of the most important bat colonies in northern Spain.
The surrounding environment is as breathtaking as the cave itself. We are in the Ubiñas-La Mesa Natural Park, in the Estrechura Gorge, just a few kilometers from the Prehistory Park , a territory where nature still dictates the rules. What begins as a peaceful cavity becomes a labyrinth where the rock seems alive, sculpted by water and geological patience . The Sampedro River, which flows through it, has carved its galleries with the precision that only nature can achieve when it has thousands of years to work its magic.
For speleologists, Cueva Huerta is a jewel; for bats, a home ; for unsuspecting hikers, a reminder that some places don't need to be tamed to be understood. It's no coincidence that it was declared a Natural Monument in 2002 : in a time when everything must be accessible, when roads are paved and viewpoints are marked with explanatory signs, Cueva Huerta remains a challenge, a mystery that delves deep into the earth and invites us to gaze upon it with the reverence of one who peers into the unknown.
The galleries: a labyrinth sculpted by water
Its karst system is one of the most extensive in Asturias , with galleries that wind under the mountain range with the patient tenacity of rock shaped by water.
Two main levels can be distinguished :
The upper level, drier and more easily accessible , allows visitors to explore spacious chambers with calcareous flowstone and speleothems that reflect the slow, erosive work of water . Stalactites and stalagmites predominate here, some with whimsical shapes that speleologists have given evocative names. The formations often resemble curtains of stone or dripping water frozen in time, creating a mysterious scene that seems straight out of a Celtic legend.
The lower level, on the other hand, is the domain of water . The Sampedro River flows through these galleries intermittently, its volume increasing during rainy periods and forcing speleologists to carefully consider their steps. This level contains underground lakes, some with sumps that defy human exploration. It is not suitable terrain for casual visitors: here the cave reveals its most untamed side, with narrow passages, drop-offs, and flood-prone areas that demand skill and respect.
Furthermore, inside there are chimneys and vertical shafts connecting the different levels , formed by the erosive action of water over thousands of years. These passages connect narrow galleries with wider chambers, creating a labyrinthine route that only the most experienced can navigate safely.
Visits to Cueva Huerta
Currently, guided tours are managed by the adventure tourism company Deporventura. Two types of tours are available : a family-friendly tour lasting approximately 50 minutes , and a three-hour tour for adventurers that includes rappelling, crawling, and siphoning, exploring the underground course of the Val de Sampedro River. The tour through the galleries is straightforward and suitable for all ages, unless you have mobility issues.
How to get to Cueva Huerta
From Oviedo, take the A-63 La Espina motorway . Take exit 9 towards N-634 Trubia , then take the AS-228 turnoff to Proaza and Teverga . Continue through the Senda del Oso (Bear's Trail) – Tuñón, Villanueva, Proaza, Caranga de Abajo, Entrago – until you reach San Martín de Teverga. From there, continue towards Puerto de Ventana , about 6 kilometers from San Martín, where a well-marked turnoff leads to the cave entrance, a short distance from the road.
Photographs: © Roberto Molero on Flickr
