Gouffre des Busserailles, Pit cave in Valtournenche, Italy

The Gouffre des Busserailles is a pit cave at Les Busserailles, 1742 m, near the village of Singlin in Valtournenche. The Marmore torrent runs through it along its whole 104 m length, and the gorge wall drops 35 m. Three giant's kettles sit near the entrance, and the walls of the equipped route carry the carvings of the Maquignaz brothers.

Local alpine guides explored and opened this cave to visitors in the mid-1800s, establishing it as a destination for those interested in mountain geology. Since then it has remained accessible to the public as a natural attraction.

The Maquignaz family maintains responsibility for cave management since its initial exploration, preserving this natural formation for generations of visitors.

Wear sturdy footwear and bring warm clothing since the interior stays damp and cool year-round. You will need a flashlight or headlamp to safely navigate the passages and see the rock formations clearly.

Edward Whymper, who visited after the first descent, wrote that the walls are polished like glass and that the roar of the water is so loud visitors can only talk in signs. He also noted the Marmore has bored natural bridges through the rock in places.