The Cave of the Serpent

Exploring the La Sierpe Cave: A Treasure of the Mountains on the Shores of the Molino de Chincha Reservoir

In the vicinity of the Molino de Chincha reservoir, very close to Puente de Vadillos, there is an authentic natural treasure of the mountain range, known as the Cueva de La Sierpe. This imposing underground shelter, which in times past served as shelter for shepherds and livestock, contains an even more surprising treasure inside: a vast lake that gives the grotto colossal dimensions.

How we found it

To reach this underground jewel, the most convenient thing is to go to Puente Vadillos and, just before entering the town we will see the carborundum factory on the left, while on the right stands the modest hermitage of the Virgen de las Angustia, it is Here we will park our vehicle and taking the track that heads towards the Guadiela River, we will begin our adventure.

Our route will take us to follow the left bank of the Chincha Reservoir, where the waters of the Curvo and Guadiela rivers converge. It is not signposted but it is very intuitive and easy to follow, although the difficulty is found in a couple of quite steep climbs that can be difficult both on the way out and back.

a big cave

The Cueva de La Sierpe, with a main vault of generous dimensions, has been witness of human occupation since ancient times. The shepherds found shelter inside for themselves and their flocks, taking advantage of the proximity of the river as a source of water. Even our Paleolithic ancestors found refuge in this cave.

Although the cavern extends beyond, the rise in the water table following the construction of the reservoir has restricted exploration of its galleries without the use of specialized equipment.

Prior to our arrival at the entrance of the cave, we will see a small wooden railing and a staircase that will lead us to it. As we approach, we will find a metal door that we need to open to enter the grotto. We remember that the existing equipment is minimal, so in this area of approach to the cave, extreme caution must be taken since there is a significant drop.

Making a difference

What distinguishes this cavern is its location, right at the water level of the reservoir, which accentuates its astonishing size, both in height and depth. The entrance has generous dimensions that allow light to enter the first section. But if we want to get closer to see the famous lake that it houses inside, we must have a flashlight and take extreme precautions since the ground is very slippery due to the high humidity.