Beneath a young pine tree lies a hidden entrance. This unassuming opening leads to the Cova des Vidres. It is a cave that holds secrets beneath the Serra de na Burguesa near Palma. Today we will explore this hidden gem.
The Cova des Vidres is not just any cave. It is a small chamber with a big story. Imagine yourself as one of the first explorers. You crawl through the entrance. Suddenly you find yourself in a room that measures 13 by 4 meters. The ceiling is only one to two meters high.
Feel the cool air on your skin. The ground is uneven under your feet. It is covered with stones and dust. Look around. Notice the absence of elaborate formations. Unlike other caves, the Cova des Vidres lacks many speleothems. These are the stalactites and stalagmites that decorate many caves.
The Cova des Vidres still has its own charm. To your right, notice a small chamber. Almost at the end of the main room there is a narrow passage. It stretches into the darkness for several meters. Above you, between the rocks, is another small chamber.
Let us talk about finding the Cova des Vidres. The cave is located in the municipality of Calvià. It is near Puig Gros de Bendinat. To get here by car, take the Ma-20 highway towards Andratx. Take the Gènova exit Ma-1045. At the entrance to Gènova, take the first right. You will see signs for Mirador Ca na Burguesa. At the top, you will find parking.
From the parking area you must proceed on foot. Take the path that enters the Serra de na Burguesa. This is path 736. Walk about 2 kilometers. When the path descends slightly, leave it to the left. Head towards Avenc de s’Embut or Avenc de s’Aranya. Climb a few meters. There is an amazing view of Palma Bay. Look slightly to the right. To the southwest, notice a group of pine trees. Several caves are located there.
You must hike across the terrain to reach the Cova des Vidres. The path is barely visible. Continue until you reach the pine trees. This final stretch involves some off-trail walking. This can take around 40 minutes. The total distance from the parking area is about 2.4 kilometers.
Inside the Cova des Vidres no special equipment is needed. That is different from other caves in Mallorca. It is more about exploration than technical caving.
Consider the history of this island. Palma de Mallorca has been ruled by Romans, Byzantines, Muslims, and Christians. Each culture has left its mark.
Think about the Mallorcan Midwife toad. It was rediscovered in 1979. Now it is only found in the Tramuntana mountains. Like the toad, the Cova des Vidres holds a unique place in Mallorca’s natural history.
As we leave the Cova des Vidres think about the hidden worlds. Mallorca has over 200 cave systems. Many are not open to the public. They hold secrets and wonders beneath our feet. The Cova des Vidres may be small. However, it provides a glimpse into this hidden world. It reminds us that there is always more to explore.