Sistema del Trave, Pit cave system in Picos de Europa, Spain.
Sistema del Trave is a cave system in the central massif of Picos de Europa with three interconnected chasms and roughly 9 kilometers of galleries. The caves run through the mountain across different levels and display impressive geological structures throughout their passages.
The cave entrance was discovered in 1982 near Bulnes village, marking the start of intensive geological research. This exploration led to complete mapping of the complex network and established the site as a major research area.
The Sistema del Trave houses multiple research stations where scientists study cave-dwelling species and document geological formations throughout the year.
Access requires special permits and guidance from trained cave specialists to protect the geological structures. Visitors should prepare for challenging terrain, tight passages, and damp conditions throughout the site.
Scientists identified a new genus of springtails called Ongulonychiurus living within the cave network, found nowhere else. This discovery revealed that the system provides habitat for specialized species that do not exist in the surface world.
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