Forat de Sobirats

Gypsum cavity in Les Llosses, with two entrances: l'Engolidor and Forat de Sobirats, explored in 2025.

Llosses, Les • Ripollès 75m 12m

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Forat de Sobirats

Gypsum cavity in Les Llosses, with two entrances: l'Engolidor and Forat de Sobirats, explored in 2025.

Llosses, Les · Ripollès

Length: 75 m · Depth: 12 m

Updated record

https://espeleoworld.com/en/c/forat-de-sobirats

Information can change. Always verify coordinates, access, weather, and cave conditions before setting out.

Topographic map of the main entrance — Main entrance · ICGC topographic map

Gypsum cavity in Les Llosses, with two entrances: l'Engolidor and Forat de Sobirats, explored in 2025.

Characteristics

Type: Pothole
Municipality: Llosses, Les
Region: Ripollès
Unit: Catllaràs - Rasos de Tubau
Length: 75 meters
Depth: 12 meters
Major Unit: Prepirineu
Lithology: Gypsum
Updated on EspeleoÍndex: July 23, 2025

Location

On the BV-4656 road towards Sant Jaume de Frontanyà, at kilometre 3.890, a track leaves to the right towards the Sobirats farmhouse. We follow the track for one kilometre (it is better to leave the vehicle on the road, as the owner of the estate is somewhat wary). On reaching the coordinates (UTM-ETRS89 418095-4667591) we leave the track on the right, descending to the depression where we find an evident collapse/doline, and if it has rained, a stream that flows towards the lower sinkhole.

Entrances

Always verify coordinates and access conditions before setting out.

Sobirats, Forat de
Elevation: 925 m
42.156286, 2.007929
UTM 31T (ETRS89) 418040 4667605
Open in map Open in Google Maps
Engolidor
Elevation: 926 m
42.156261, 2.008087
UTM 31T (ETRS89) 418053 4667602
Open in map Open in Google Maps

Download all entrances as GPX

Topographic

Forat de Sobirats - Topography, Llosses, Les, Ripollès

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

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Photos

Forat de Sobirats - Photo, Llosses, Les, Ripollès

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

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Description

Morphology

It is a sinkhole with two entrances, formed by water coming from a spring about 40 metres further up. The water seeps through the first of the holes (l'Engolidor), but there is no physical connection with the second hole located 16 metres away (Forat de Sobirats), since at present the passage between the two holes is obstructed.

Entering through the second entrance (Forat de Sobirats) one descends a small step that places us in a descending gallery that eventually becomes impenetrable. On the left side there is a parallel gallery with a low ceiling through which a water inflow circulates.

Halfway along the gallery, at the point where there is the connection with the parallel gallery, we find an upper level that by means of a crawl of about 8 metres in length leads us to a drop of -1.7m that places us in a wide gallery 9 metres in length. At the end of this, a passage between blocks gives access to a narrow conduit about 5 metres in length descending; the gallery widens and gains height and we find a chimney more than 5 metres high. The gallery continues a few metres more with diminishing dimensions until it ends collapsed by sediments.

Hydrology

The water comes from a spring about 40 metres further up and seeps through the first of the holes (l'Engolidor). If it has rained, a stream that flows towards the lower sinkhole.

Progression

Entering through the second entrance (Forat de Sobirats) one descends a small step that places us in a descending gallery that eventually becomes impenetrable. Halfway along the gallery, at the point where there is the connection with the parallel gallery, we find an upper level that by means of a crawl of about 8 metres in length leads us to a drop of -1.7m that places us in a wide gallery 9 metres in length. At the end of this, a passage between blocks gives access to a narrow conduit about 5 metres in length descending.

History

Known since ancient times by farmers and shepherds, it is not until February of this year (2025) that it is explored by Nil Hosta Ferrer, who provides the location and accompanies Juli Serrano and Montse Roca (SIE-CEA) on a second exploration. In May of the same year they return accompanied by Francesc Rubinat (ERE-CEC); this time they bring a metal ladder to climb to the upper gallery, since the gypsum does not allow a rigging with minimum guarantees, and they take the opportunity to carry out the survey.

In July of the same year they return again to clear the final passage, advancing about fifteen metres more until it becomes impenetrable due to sediment accumulation.

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Bibliography

Totes les dades, coordenades, situació, topografia i fotografies han estat facilitades per Nil Hosta Ferrer; Juli Serrano i Montse Roca (SIE-CEA) i Francesc Rubinat (ERE-CEC), actualització de juliol de 2025.