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Cova de la Cantarella

Cova de la Cantarella

Hidden cave in the Montsià, at Alcanar, known for the jug base that gives it its name and for the remains of damaged formations.

Alcanar • Montsià 20m

Hidden cave in the Montsià, at Alcanar, known for the jug base that gives it its name and for the remains of damaged formations.

Characteristics

Location

Hidden cave in the Montsià (Alcanar). We go up by the Martinenca (between la Ràpita and les Cases d'Alcanar) in search of the Mas de Lluco, a few metres further up we take the path on the right, the Camí dels Bandolers heading north and follow it for approximately one kilometre to a landing where different paths cross; we can leave the car here. We take the path that climbs decisively towards the mountain range. On the right of the wide path a faintly marked trail appears that goes towards the ravine on our right, descends to the bottom to cross it and climbs up the other side. Ahead we have as a reference the remains of the Mas de Vilero.

We continue climbing this slope of the hill until we are at the top. Now the trail, perpendicular to the range, levels out and climbs following the crest. On the left we have the great ravine of the Bassiol and on the right the racó de les Ferreries where we can make out, in the distance, the remains of the Mas del Llop or the caseta de Paletes. In a gentle climb we gradually gain height.

The final stretch climbs more decisively until reaching the junction with the trail that goes to the font del Bassiol, on the left, or to the cova de l'Hedra, on the right. At the bottom of the Bassiol ravine, we make out the roof of the old mas dels Bardins, completely collapsed by vegetation. Our objective is in front of us: on the same crest of the hill by which we have climbed, two or three abrupt bands of cliffs rise. We must gain the base of the highest one.

Map

Entrances

Always verify coordinates and access conditions before setting out.

  1. Cova de la Cantarella

    Elevation: 505 m

    40.604760, 0.529524
    UTM 31T (ETRS89) 290983 4497817
Download all entrances as GPX

Photos

Cova de la Cantarella - Photo, Alcanar, MontsiàView image
Click to enlarge

Espeleoindex · CC BY-NC 4.0, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ · Image © its author.

Image 1 of 5

Description

Morphology

The dimensions of the main hall are quite considerable. No survey is available. The speleometric data are estimates.

Speleothems

Ancient remains of formations, very damaged, decorate all the walls. Old fossil flows tell us of thousands of years of work by water with its constant dripping. Some fire made inside and the smoke it gave off also tint some walls in sinister tones... At the very back of the hall, among stones, there is still the jug base that gives the cave its name. Half stuck to the rock by the effect of lime, it must have collected the water that dripped from the ceiling.

Progression

Here begins the truly complicated part: there is no trail and the undergrowth blocks our way; only the traces of wild boar paths leave us small gaps between the kermes oak and the gorse to climb up. At the base of the first cliff we must go to the right to overcome the first step. Once up, we overcome the second by going to the left of the rise, south face, where the lower vegetation allows us to advance... Once at the base of the third, and higher, one we must turn back to the right to skirt the base of the rock and “undertake” a difficult traverse between very tall and dense bushes of buckthorn and kermes oak towards a clearing, beside four or five pines. On the left the cliff, on the right and below, the cova de l'Hedra remains. We must look, facing the cliff on the right, for a point where the cliff loses its continuity, where it seems one could gain access. It forms a very bushy nook: that is where the cave is. We reach with great difficulty the very corner between large rocks and in front, behind thick vegetation, between large margalloneres and arítjols, opens the mouth, sloping downwards, of the cova de la Cantarella.

History

Surely known for a very long time by the shepherds of the area and by hikers knowledgeable about the Montsià, but unpublished in speleological catalogues.

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Bibliography

  • Totes les dades i fotografies han estat extretes del blog: senderes.blogspot (de Pep Badia, la Ràpita). Apunt del 25-2-2017.

Source: Espeleoindex (espeleoindex.com), modified. CC BY-NC 4.0, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/