Csobánkai Huzatos Cave

The Csobánkai Huzatos Cave is one of the caves located in the Pilis Mountains of the Danube–Ipoly National Park, on Mount Csúcs. Of the 11 caves of Mount Csúcs, this is the second longest.

Description

At the edge of Csobánka, in a rock formation on the western side of Mount Csúcs, the natural main entrance is at the foot of a rock wall. At the edge of the settlement, where the red‑band marked tourist trail leading to the Kevély Saddle leaves the asphalt road, one must turn uphill in the direction of the slope to reach the rock formation. Next to the main entrance stands a rock tower about 10 metres high, which is clearly visible from a distance. Six metres above the main entrance there is another, fissure‑like entrance, but this is only passable for slender individuals.

The cave, 36 metres long and extending 9 metres vertically, formed in Upper Triassic Dachstein limestone and features characteristic stalactitic formations. Because of its size it is one of the most significant caves of the Oszoly and Mount Csúcs. From its sloping, stalactitic, tube‑like descent one can reach a debris‑filled chamber, then a spacious, high chamber. The upper entrance also connects here. Stalactites and impressive stalactitic formations can be seen on the walls.

In the literature it also appears under the names Kismacska-cave (Kraus 1997) and Kis Macska cave (Kucsera 1993). In 1991 the cave was first referred to as Csobánkai Huzatos-cave in the literature.

Research History

The cave was discovered in 1987 by the Aragonit Cave Exploration Group. At the time of discovery there was a 5 m long horizontal crawl. After enlarging a narrow passage, the group members discovered an 18 m long horizontal passage containing a 4 m high chamber, as well as a narrow passage and a tunnel extending in three directions. In a manuscript written by József Kárpát and completed in 1991 it is mentioned that the Csobánkai Huzatos-cave (Csobánka) is 35 m long and 9 m deep. The Uprising of the Aragonit Cave Exploration and Nature Lovers Association planned in 1992 to continue exploring the cave in 1993 and to close its entrance.

On May 7, 1997, József Regős surveyed the site and, based on the survey, on May 10, 1997, Sándor Kraus drew a floor plan map at a scale of 1:100, as well as three cross sections edited at a scale of 1:50. In May 1997, Sándor Kraus drew a site plan showing the geographic location of the caves of Csúcs-hegy. The drawing shows the geographic location of the cave marked with the name Huzatos (Kismacska). In Sándor Kraus's 1997 report it is readable that the Csobánkai Huzatos Cave (Kismacska Cave), already known before 1997, had its map produced in 1997. It is a significant cave that requires further research. The 1997 site plan was included in the report.