Covota des Puig Gros

Slipping through the undergrowth, we find ourselves before the gaping maw of Covota des Puig Gros. This isn’t just a cave entrance. It’s a portal to another time, a time when humans sought shelter within the Serra de na Burguesa. Covota des Puig Gros is a complex cave system. Its formation is a testament to the powerful forces of nature. Tectonic shifts and clastic processes have sculpted this subterranean world. The entrance itself is a testament to the power of erosion. A massive sinkhole, 20 by 35 meters, now serves as the gateway to the depths. Look closely and you’ll see traces of earlier inhabitants. Small walls and terraces suggest they leveled the ground for habitation. Nooks and crannies likely served as fire pits. Imagine the families who huddled here, seeking refuge from the elements or perhaps something more. Descending into Covota des Puig Gros reveals a labyrinth of chambers. The Sala Primera, with its low ceiling, slopes down to a small opening. This opening leads to the Sala de sa Capamunta, adorned with stalactites and stalagmites. A curtain of columns guards access to a smaller room, choked with roots. The air here is thick with the smell of damp earth. Further exploration reveals the Sala de ses Arrels, home to gours filled with water. The Rampa des Salt offers a thrilling descent. It leads to yet another chamber, reaching a depth of 41 meters. A rope is needed to explore the vertical drop. This connects to the Sala de ses Ratapinyades, but the passage is blocked by boulders. Returning to the Sala de sa Capamunta, we discover more passages. The Sala dels Balcons, Sala de Baix, Sala Intermèdia, Sala Gran, and Sala des Gur await those who dare to venture further. Each chamber holds its own secrets, its own unique formations. An experienced climber may choose to descend the 6-meter drop into the Sala de ses Ratapinyades. Here, amidst the precariously balanced rocks, one can marvel at the cave’s grandeur. A 30-meter rope and a secure spit allow access to the Sala des Forat. This is the deepest point of Covota des Puig Gros, a chilling 77 meters below the surface. Climbing back up reveals the breathtaking Sala de ses Ratapinyades, stretching 35 meters in length and up to 25 meters wide. Flowstone drapes the walls. Coral-like formations cover the floor, concealing the many fractures below. Hidden beneath a massive boulder is the Sala des Guixos, or Gypsum Room. Beyond lies the Sala Guapa, with its striking central columns and rich formations. A narrow passage leads to the final chamber, the Sala Darrera. Here, white calcite formations create a ghostly landscape. Covota des Puig Gros is more than just a cave. It’s a time capsule, preserving echoes of past inhabitants and the relentless forces that shaped this island.