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Parks

Cueva del Oso

4.6 · 637 reviews
Quiet, educational, and rugged.
Cueva del Oso, 22364 Tella, Huesca, Spain
Interesting facts
1

The cave yielded a massive collection of fossilized remains of the extinct cave bear, Ursus spelaeus.

2

Tella, where the cave is situated, is one of the highest villages in the Pyrenees at over 1,300 meters above sea level.

3

The site provides evidence of the climatic changes that occurred in the Pyrenees during the last ice age.

4

The cave is part of a larger network of karst formations characteristic of the Tella massif's limestone geology.

Overview

Cueva del Oso is a paleontological site located within the Sierra y Cañones de Guara Natural Park in the Aragonese Pyrenees. The cave is famous for the significant discovery of Ursus spelaeus fossils, remains of the cave bear that inhabited the region during the Pleistocene. Visitors explore a specialized interpretation center before accessing the subterranean site, which contains well-preserved bone deposits. The cave serves as an educational gateway into the geological and biological history of the Tella valley. It is managed as part of the broader archaeological heritage of Tella, a town known for its high-altitude dolmens and historic hermitages.

Photo spot

The viewpoint near the Tella hermitage trail, which provides a panoramic shot of the mountain landscape leading toward the cave entrance.

Insider tips

Wear sturdy hiking shoes with good grip as the terrain surrounding the entrance is uneven.

Check the local tourism office in Tella before departing, as access to the cave interior is guided and requires advance coordination.

Bring a light jacket, as the ambient temperature inside the cave remains cool even during summer months.

What to avoid

Do not attempt to enter the cave site independently without a pre-booked guide, as the entrance is secured and requires professional clearance.

Good to know

Operations are highly seasonal, typically limited to spring, summer, and early autumn; always closed during winter months due to snow and safety access issues.

Etiquette

Do not touch the fossil remains or cave formations; stay strictly within marked paths.

Plan your visit
Typical visit
1-1.5 hours
Best time to visit
Late spring or early autumn, to avoid the peak heat of summer and potential winter road closures due to snow.
Address
Cueva del Oso, 22364 Tella, Huesca, Spain
42.574, 0.184
Get directions
Details
Key exhibitsUrsus spelaeus (cave bear) fossil deposits
TerrainHigh-altitude limestone karst

Frequently asked

Plan for about 1-1.5 hours to see the highlights.

The best time to visit is Late spring or early autumn, to avoid the peak heat of summer and potential winter road closures due to snow..

The viewpoint near the Tella hermitage trail, which provides a panoramic shot of the mountain landscape leading toward the cave entrance.

Close by you'll find Ermitas de Tella, Ermita de San Juan y San Pablo, Ermita de la Virgen de Fajanillas.