Cueva del Viento
Canarias
Cueva del Viento, located in Icod de los Vinos on Tenerife Island, Spain, is the largest lava tube system in Europe and the sixth largest worldwide. Formed approximately 27,000 years ago by basaltic lava flows from Pico Viejo volcano near Mount Teide, it extends over 17 kilometers with a complex network of three distinct levels of passages. This volcanic cave is renowned for its intricate morphology featuring lava pits, terraces, and multiple branching tunnels, making it the most complex volcanic tube known globally. Beyond its geological significance, Cueva del Viento is rich in paleontological finds, including fossils of extinct Canarian megafauna such as the giant lizard Gallotia goliath and the giant rat Canariomys bravoi. Archaeological remains linked to the indigenous Guanche people have also been discovered in several cave entrances. Today, the cave is a protected natural monument and a popular tourist attraction, offering guided tours that explore its fascinating volcanic and cultural heritage.
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Tip: Visitors should book guided tours online in advance as entry is by reservation only. The visitor center is open daily from 9:00 to 16:00 for information. The best time to visit is during the cooler morning hours to avoid crowds. Note that bags and backpacks are not allowed inside the cave. Discounts are available for Canary Island residents, children, and groups. Payment is accepted by card only. Wearing comfortable footwear and warm clothing is recommended due to the cave’s temperature and terrain.
Interesting facts
- •Cueva del Viento is the largest lava tube in Europe and the sixth largest worldwide.
- •It features three distinct levels of passageways filled with unique geomorphological formations such as lava pits and terraces.
- •Fossils of extinct Canarian megafauna, including the giant lizard Gallotia goliath and the giant rat Canariomys bravoi, have been discovered inside the cave.
- •The cave system includes several connected cavities like Cueva Belén, Sobrado, Las Breveritas, and Los Piquetes.
- •The cave’s name, meaning 'Wind Cave', derives from the strong air currents experienced inside its passages.
History
Cueva del Viento was formed around 27,000 years ago during the first eruptive phase of Pico Viejo volcano, part of the Teide volcanic complex.
Over millennia, the lava flows created a multi-level tube system with extensive branching passages.
Historically, it was inhabited or used by the native Guanche people, as evidenced by archaeological remains found at cave entrances.
The cave was long considered the largest lava tube in the world before more extensive systems were mapped in Hawaii.
Modern exploration and mapping by speleological groups have documented over 18 kilometers of passages, revealing its immense complexity and scientific value.
Place Guide
Main Lava Tube Passages~27000 years ago
Explore the three levels of the lava tube system, featuring unique volcanic formations such as lava pits, terraces, and multiple branching tunnels that illustrate the cave’s complex volcanic origins.
Paleontological Sites
Areas within the cave where fossils of extinct Canarian megafauna have been found, including bones of Gallotia goliath and Canariomys bravoi, providing insight into the island’s prehistoric fauna.
Archaeological Entrances
Several cave entrances have yielded artifacts and remains associated with the Guanche people, the indigenous inhabitants of Tenerife, linking the cave to human history on the island.
Contact
Phone: 922 47 43 80
