Shafts of Catalonia

The catalogue includes 1956 shafts, concentrated in Begues, Sitges and Vallirana. Sistema de la Bargadèra, amb 2100 m de recorregut.

What is a pothole?

A pothole is a cavity that develops mostly vertically, requiring rope techniques (rappelling and ascending) to explore. In Catalonia, potholes concentrate in limestone massifs, often with notable drops that make them a target for sport and exploration caving.

Potholes of Catalonia

The catalogue brings together 1956 potholes. The counties with the most potholes are Baix Llobregat, Garraf, Baix Ebre and Berguedà, and the municipalities with the highest concentration are Begues, Sitges, Vallirana and Mont-ral. Geologically, they are dominated by calcàries, conglomerats and dolomies.

The deepest pothole in Catalonia

The pothole with the greatest drop is Sistema de la Bargadèra, at 571 m deep. The one with the longest surveyed passages is Sistema de la Bargadèra, at 2100 m of galleries. These figures come directly from each cave's record and can be checked against the catalogue.