Sima de Raja Santa, Sierra Elvira - Atarfe
This cave is located in Sierra Elvira about 10 km. of the capital Granada. It is 163 meters deep and 583 meters long. The first explorations, were made in summer 1950 by Grupo de Espeleólogos Granadinos. They reached the depth of 90 m and later that year, they reached the water level at -120 m. In August 1981 a new expedition by the GEG of Granada and G.E.S. the S.E. Malaga conduct a new expedation in the cave and simultaneously a team of cave divers descend in the first lake to reach the level of -163 m.
The temperature in the cave is average 22'5ºC which is caused by the hot springs that flow throughout the fracture, at a temperature of 32 ° C.
Currently the access to the cave has been changed, you enter a small hole between blocks. A path leads along blocks that are easily to overcome without any material. At the end of the path are narrow steps "“Los Tornillos" which are leading to a series of wells and finally is reaching the water level.
Underneath a video from Paco Galo
Underneath video by Lolo Duran
The cave is located in the municipality of Atarfe, in the Vega de Granada about 10 km from the capital in the Sierra Elvira. Take the N-432 road from Granada to Cordoba and
take the exit at km. 431. You will see an old cement factory; take the lane leading to the quarries. The entrance to the gap is located in front of one of them.
Click here for a map of the cave itself