Almost no one knows it, but this mysterious cave with a waterfall inside is less than an hour from Madrid

Posted on 15 March 2026

It looks like one of those huge caves from Vietnam or Mexico, but the truth is that it is just a few kilometers from Madrid and it is an incredible plan to do on the weekend. In the Alto Tajo Natural Park, very close to Villanueva de Alcorón, is this 63-meter-deep cave that you can access and live an adventure.

The Alcorón chasm is one of the many cavities in this area, but the only one equipped for safe access. You have to enter with a flashlight and warm clothes, descending some stairs to a landing 20 meters in diameter. This is the first room, the one where the sunlight still reaches. But you can go deeper, if you dare.

You can continue descending some concrete stairs, being careful because the humidity makes them slippery. At the lowest point there is still an artificial dam, which ancient inhabitants used to collect the water that falls down a wall, filling everything with moss, lichen and light reflections that become quite a spectacle.

Cave Near Madrid Guadalajara Escape Route Nature Hiking Spring

To get there, you must access the CM-2101 highway that connects Villanueva de Alcorón and Peñalén. The detour has a sign indicating the location of the chasm. Following it you will find a recreational area with the same name. There you park and you can have lunch in the picnic areas before entering the depths of the earth.

Olivia Thompson
Olivia Thompson
I’m Olivia Thompson, born and raised in Wellington, New Zealand. As a lifestyle and travel writer at Latitude Magazine, I’m passionate about uncovering stories that connect people with new experiences and perspectives. My goal is to inspire readers to see everyday life – and the world – with fresh eyes.

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