Gadao's Cave, Southern Guam Travel Guide

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Discover ancient Chamorro rock art and legends at Gadao's Cave in Inalåhan, Guam, a cultural treasure etched in stone.

Explore Gadao's Cave in Inalåhan, Guam, a significant cultural site featuring ancient Chamorro pictographs. These fascinating drawings, created with coral lime and tree sap, depict human and animal figures, offering a glimpse into the island's rich history and the legends of Chief Gadao.

A brief summary to Gadao's Cave

7QG3+89M, Inalåhan, GU

From Eve

Know before you go

Hi, I'm Eve. Here are a few practical things to know before exploring Gadao's Cave.

Wear sturdy shoes for the hike to the cave and exploring its uneven terrain.
Bring a flashlight to explore the deeper parts of the cave.
Visit early in the morning or late afternoon to avoid the heat.
Be a responsible visitor and respect the signs and pathways to help preserve the site.

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Explore Gadao's Cave on the Map

A handpicked selection of must-see spots near Gadao's Cave, mapped for you.

Getting There

Car

From the village of Inalåhan, head north on Route 4. Look for a small sign indicating Gadao's Cave and turn right. The cave is a short hike from the road. Be aware that the sign is sometimes covered by trees. There is no fee to park.
Public Transport

From areas north of Inalåhan, take the Guam Regional Transit Authority (GRTA) bus route that goes south towards Inalåhan. Check the local bus schedule for times. Get off at the stop nearest to Route 4 in Inalåhan. From there, walk along Route 4 until you see the sign for Gadao's Cave. Be cautious while walking, as there may not be sidewalks. The bus fare is $1.00 per ride, or $3.00 for a day pass.

Discover more about Gadao's Cave

Gadao's Cave, also known as Liyang Gadao, is located near the village of Inalåhan on Guam's southern coast and is a window into the island's ancient Chamorro culture. The cave is a relatively short hike from the road. The cave contains rock art that is among the most important examples of Chamorro art.The cave features approximately 50 pictographs etched onto its walls using a mixture of coral lime and tree resin. These images, believed to be created as early as 800 CE, showcase depictions of human-like and animal-like figures, as well as geometric shapes. The most famous drawings are of two human figures, one appearing to carry something, thought to represent Chief Gadao and Chief Malaguaña from local legends. According to the legend, Chief Malaguaña, known for his strength, heard of Chief Gadao of Inalåhan and sought him out to challenge him. Meeting Gadao without knowing his true identity, Malaguaña was impressed by the villager's strength, who was able to squeeze milk from coconuts with his bare hands. Impressed, Malaguaña asked Gadao to take him to the chief, but Gadao never revealed himself.The cave itself is relatively small, measuring about three meters wide, two meters high, and six meters deep. The interior has a vertical drop of about 100 feet, leading to a chamber filled with numerous cultural artifacts. The site was added to the United States National Register of Historic Places in 1974.