Cueva del Gato and Charco Frio: Day Trip Guide
The natural monument Cueva del Gato is a peaceful location tucked away in Andalusia, Spain. Unknown to many, this cave system and its accompanying river and idyllic natural pool (Charco Frio) make a great activity. Ideal for travellers looking for something in nature that’s different, non-time-consuming, and free! Cueva del Gato provides a place to relax, and see cave paintings and wildlife. This post will cover everything you need to know about Cueva del Gato and Charco Frio for your next trip to Spain.
About Cueva del Gato and Charco Frio
Cueva del Gato, which translates to ‘Cave of the Cat’ or ‘Cat’s Cave’, so named because of its apparent likeness to a cat’s head, is a cave nestled amongst stunning karst rock formations in southern Spain. Belonging to the Hundidero-Gato cave system, it runs over 8km deep with caverns as high as 70m. Its secluded entrance amongst the trees made the cave a great hideout for bandits many years ago, and it provided shelter for even earlier dwellers. As a result, there are multiple cave paintings and artefacts found inside dating back as far as the Neolithic period.
Within the cave flows the River Guadares which joins with the nearby River Guadiaro around 50m downstream. Having meandered underground for several kilometres, the river water is chilled and flows into one of the most enchanting features of Cueva del Gato, the breathtaking natural pool known as Charco Frio. The pool’s crystal-clear waters are fed from the natural spring inside the cave, creating a tranquil oasis which welcomes both tourists and locals seeking respite from the heat.
Where is Cueva del Gato?
Cueva del Gato is located in the Andalusian region of Southern Spain on the edge of the Sierra de Grazalema National Park. Nearby towns include Benaojan and Montejaque which are both within walking distance. It’s also less than 30 minutes away from the popular town of Ronda, just 18km away.
How to get to Cueva del Gato?
By Car
Unless you are staying in one of the nearby towns within walking distance, the best way to get to Cueva del Gato is by car. If you are coming from the direction of Ronda, follow the MA-740, turning right into the car park before reaching Benaojan.
The entrance to the two-level dirt car park is gated but also free to enter. There is a limit of 1-hour maximum stay, however nobody came to check.
From the car park, it’s a 5-minute walk to the entrance of the cave following a wooden walkway across the river and under the railway.
By Public Transport
The nearest station to Cueva del Gato is the Benaojan-Montejaque Station which is approximately 3km from the cave. If you are staying in Ronda, Malaga or any other city in Southern Spain, make your way here before walking approximately 35 minutes to the cave.
When to visit Cueva del Gato
The best time to visit Cueva del Gato would be during the Spanish summer (June-August) when the weather is hot. This shaded spot with refreshing waters is the ideal place to cool down. Plus the water in Charco Frio is so cold that it’s helpful to have the heat to warm you up again!
There are no opening and closing hours for Cueva del Gato, so you can visit whenever you want. However, the spot can become busy, so avoid weekends if possible and go earlier in the day to avoid crowds.
How long to spend at Cueva del Gato
Approximately 1-2 hours is a reasonable amount of time to spend at Cueva Del Gato. Of course, you can choose to stay longer and relax, but the area isn’t that large so it shouldn’t take you long to explore.
Plus, I would be impressed with anyone who can spend any long periods in the water without freezing!
If you want to spend more time here, bring a picnic and set up for the day.
What to expect at Cueva del Gato
From the car park entrance, follow the road down to the right. You will pass Eco Hotel Cueva del Gato. Cross the bridge and follow the path underneath the train line. You will reach the sheltered area of Cueva del Gato, surrounded by trees which provide shade to the area.
The water is crystal clear and extremely cold. It starts shallow which is ideal for paddling, before getting deep enough to easily swim (if you are brave enough). As you swim away from the shoreline and around the corner, you can see the entrance of Cueva del Gato. There is also a small waterfall here as the water exits the cave.
In terms of wildlife, there are a few fish in the water, various bird species flying around and you may see some bats around the cave. The plant life is lush with a variety of trees and flowering plants.
You can hike up to the entrance of Cueva del Gato. From the natural pool, it’s a couple of minutes walking over the rocks and around the corner. The path is unkept but relatively obvious.
At the entrance to the cave, you will see clear, blue waters. As a safety precaution, people are no longer permitted to go inside the cave.
Facilities at Cueva del Gato
- Parking: Free.
- Toilets: Free, but sometimes locked.
- Bins: Available.
- BBQ: Not permitted. Have a picnic instead!
- Dogs: Not permitted in Charco Frio, however there is a dog area before you cross the bridge.
Safety
- Charco Frio is not lifeguarded, so be careful when swimming.
- Whilst there are rocks to jump off, be careful as jumping into the water could give you a cold shock!
- Do not enter the cave without a guide as flash flooding has occurred in these caves before, which has caused multiple deaths.
- Take caution and mind your step when walking to the entrance of the cave. The path is unkept; there are no barriers protecting from the edge; and there isn’t anything to hold on to.
- Bring plenty of water as there isn’t anywhere to fill up.
What to do near Cueva del Gato
Cueva de la Pileta: Another cave system nearby, except you can go inside, see cave paintings and explore these with a tour! Price: 10 euros for adults or 6 euros for children. Book here.
Hiking: The area surrounding Cueva del Gato is great for hiking because of its impressive rock formations and green forests. You could build up a sweat with a walk, before cooling off in Charco Frio. Sendero Río Guadiaro or Torre del Moro are two of the closest hiking areas. Or you could drive slightly further and check out El Torcal de Antequera.
Visit Ronda: One of the most historic and aesthetic towns in southern Spain, Ronda is positioned on a plateau overlooking a colossal gorge. It has plenty of delicious restaurants and makes for a pleasant walk as you explore its beautiful the side-streets.
Explore the Sierra de Grazalema: Cueva del Gato is just a small section of the Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park, there is plenty more to explore and hike.
Before you go
Thank you for reading my guide for visiting Cueva del Gato near Ronda. If guides, itineraries and travel content like this interest you, head over to my blog page to find out more.
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Happy travelling!
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