Best Caves to Visit
If you've been meaning to try out a new type of adventure, then you should consider going on a caving trip! For the unfamiliar, caving is basically an exploration of caves and is usually done in groups with a guide. You don't have to have the best of athletic abilities to go caving, since there are such numerous caves within the UK and beyond that will suit even the most beginner level of adventurers.
Caving is sometimes used interchangeably with ‘potholing’ although the two are slightly different from each other. While caving involves exploring caverns that mostly consist of horizontal passageways, potholing would require more specialist equipment as adventurers would explore caves with mostly vertical passages.
Are there risks you may face? Yes, of course there will be precautions that come with any time of cave exploration. But with an experienced guide, you don’t have to worry as safety is always a priority and you’ll be in fantastic hands with these companies as they provide you with the necessary guidance and safety equipment needed for your trip. The love and care these experienced cavers put into their work will be absolutely worthwhile as at the end of the day, you’ll find yourself right in the middle of some of Mother Nature’s most breathtaking wonders, with all sorts of amazing formations such as Flowstone, Crystals Pools or even some Coralloids which cavers call Cave Popcorn!
Best Caves in the UK
There are many caving clubs in the UK which are governed by the British Caving Association who seek to explore, maintain, and enhance access to the many caves found across the British Isles. The BCA in particular also run awareness campaigns to increase interest in the sport and provide training for cavers who cave professionally and though regional council's for club cavers.
Although it may not seem like it, the UK is actually home to some of the most beautiful landscapes in the world. And within those landscapes are some gorgeous caves that are ready for you to explore, regardless of what caving abilities you may have.
Swildon's Hole
Swildon's Hole is a huge network of caves settled beneath the Mendip Hills of Somerset and is home to Mendip’s longest underground river system. As cool as that may be, that also means that this cave system is rather wet and fond of flooding, so be wary of the weather reports before exploring this cave. This cave is full of sumps (sections underwater), so you should expect to get a little wet yourself, too!
In the 1930s, the river in Swildon's Hole has been found to resurge in the equally famous Wookey Hole Caves. Swildon's Hole starts off exactly as advertised: cavers will have to enter through a small triangular hole into the caves below. This is considered one of the best caves to visit as it’s suitable for all types of athletic ability with each chunk of passage becoming progressively more difficult to explore, and novice cavers generally sticking to the ‘upper series’ of passages.
Yorkshire Dales
Over in the north of England, you'll find a gorgeous slew of karst caves and features. Situated in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, there are over 2500 limestone caves that stretch out for miles underneath the surface of the peaks and hills of the Dales. The most famous of the caves is the Gaping Gill that features a massive cavern – large enough to fit St Paul’s Cathedral - and is home to UK’s largest underground waterfall! The Dales caves are also home to a variety of flora and fauna that thrive within these winding caves, making them some of the best caves to visit.
A Yorkshire Dales caving experience could be a wonderful day trip to make for those seeking a bit of adventure on a weekend or bank holiday. These caves can be explored by even the most novice of cavers, so don’t hesitate to give Yorkshire Dales a go!
Ogof Draenen
Source: UK Caving
Over in the south of Wales lay over 40-miles of passageways, making Ogof Draenen the longest cave in Wales and the second longest in Britain. Also known as ‘Hawthorn Cave,’ this lengthy cave system provides a great caving experience as it features huge caverns decorated with gorgeous mineral deposits that must be seen in-person. Some of the caverns within Ogof Draenen are also home to various fossils that cavers can see protruding from the walls, mostly of sharks.
However, access is controlled by the Pwll Du Cave Management Group and as such, Ogof Draenen should only be explored by more experienced cavers who are members of a caving club as it is a highly complex system of caverns. This cave also features many loose boulders and its surfaces are often covered by slick mud. Those who are interested in going cave exploring at Ogof Draenen will need to contact the Pwll Du Cave Management Group in advance before setting off on their adventure.
Best Caves in Europe
Across the English Channel, the rest of Europe also features a variety of caves that have been gorgeously crafted by Mother Nature over thousands of years. Some of these caves are so breathtaking that it will certainly make you feel like you’re in a dream. It can feel mindblowing how some of these structures were formed naturally over the centuries!
With over 40 countries across continental Europe, it’s no surprise that the continent is also home to some of the best caves in the world. If you’re planning a trip to either of these countries, make sure you schedule-in a visit to one of these caves – sure to give you a jaw-dropping, once in a lifetime experience.
Eisriesenwelt, Austria
Source: MyBestPlace
Literally translating to ‘ice giant world,’ the Werfen Ice Caves in Austria is a ‘show cave’ that’s home to the largest ice caves in the world! With a cave system that spans over 28 miles, these caves feature naturally-made ice sculptures and formations that are even visible during the summer months. Eisriesenwelt can only be visited as part of a guided tour from May to October as the caves drop drastically below freezing during cooler months – with the temperature of the caves being around 0ºC even in the height of summer.
Since the Eisriesenwelt cave has become a highly popular tourist attraction near Salzburg, these mesmerising caves are open to those of all abilities as only the first kilometre is accessible to tourists, as long as they have the physical endurance to climb a total of 234 meters in vertical height. But, if you’re lucky enough to visit on these caves on a clear day, you’ll also be rewarded with an unparalleled view of the Austrian alps!
Trollkirka, Norway
Source: Visit Norway
The ‘Troll Church’ is far from being an actual house of worship. This Norwegian cave stands 480 meters above sea level and features gorgeous caverns made from limestone and marble, complete with underground rivers and waterfalls. Those looking to explore the caves must first complete a roughly three-hour hike, so this caving experience is recommended for those above novice level of physical fitness.
Trollkirka’s main cavern is only about 70 meters in length, which will lead you to a waterfall that streams into a large, white marble bowl that looks like something the large, mythical beings may have used to drink out of. Continuing onwards past this cavern will lead cavers to the picturesque Trollvatnet (literally: ‘Troll Waters’) where you’re allowed to take a dip within its cool waters after your long hike and cave exploring endeavours, as long as you’ve got the proper attire with you!
Gouffre Berger, France
Source: NPR
Once upon a time, the French had the honour of the title of the deepest cave in the world – that title now being held by the Republic of Georgia’s Veryovkina Cave at 2,212 meters deep. Still, the Gouffre Berger sits at 1,122 meters deep and is generally explored by the more expert cavers due to the dangers it holds thanks to it’s incredibly deep cavern and being highly prone to flooding.
Located in the south-east of France, along the Vercors Massiv, the Gouffre Berger is also home to some of the most complex caving systems in the world, making it difficult to traverse without highly specialist equipment. However, once you reach the bottom, you’ll be rewarded with an idyllic view of waterfalls that stream into large, crystalline lakes – a breathtaking experience that definitely makes the journey absolutely worthwhile.
Best Caves in America
Some of the best caves in the world can be found in the North America continent. The US alone has approximately 17,000 caves throughout the country, with the exception of Rhode Island and Louisiana. Even further north in Canada can some great caving experiences be found, with Vancouver Island alone being home to over 1,600 caves!
Thanks to its varying landscapes and scenery, the US is home to some of the most varied cave structures in the world – from desert caves made of limestone and sand to caverns made from crystalline ice. Regardless of which state you may find yourself in, there will definitely be some caves to visit and you may even find yourself close to some of the best places to go cave exploring!
Wind Cave, South Dakota
Source: Geotourism Guide
Aside from being the home of the famed Mt Rushmore, South Dakota is also home to Wind Cave, the third-longest cave in the US and the fifth-longest in the world! Situated in one of America’s oldest national parks, Wind Cave National Park, Wind Cave is named after the barometric winds at its entrance and is suitable for even novice cavers.
These caves are home to the largest known collection of boxwork formations in the world – a unique cave structure that is rarely found elsewhere in the world. Wind Cave National Park offers caving tours for the public that are extremely beginner-friendly and suitable for children – with well-lit passageways that don’t even require the use of a helmet.
Mammoth Cave, Kentucky
Source: Encyclopedia Britannica
Situated in the US State of Kentucky is the world’s longest known cave system, Mammoth Cave, possibly the best caves on this list to visit if you are in the United States. Part of the Mammoth Cave National Park, this cave system is home to a rich variety of flora and fauna as well as thousands of years of human history which earned it the International Biosphere Reserve and UNESCO World Heritage Site titles.
The cave is over 400 miles long and features towering rock formations formed by sandstone and limestone. Mammoth Cave is a great place to go cave exploring since it’s suitable for cavers of all levels, with the National Park offering tours that even kids can enjoy! That being said, the US National Park Service recommends that interested cavers book their caving experience well in advance, as the guided cave tours tend to sell out often.
Mendenhall Ice Caverns, Alaska
Source: Book Alaska Excursions
Unlike the Eisriesenwelt in Austria, the Mendenhall Ice Caves over in Alaska aren’t show caves, and venturing to these caves isn’t recommended for those with lower physical abilities. Cavers interested in exploring must first complete an eight-hour long trekking route through Tongass National Rainforest, through an often slippery, unmarked route.
Successful explorers will be rewarded with breathtaking ice caves featuring ice dome of an ethereal blue hue. However, due to the unfortunate changing of the world’s climate, the Mendenhall Ice Caves are not always fully formed, so those keen on enjoying this caving experience should research suitable times well in advance!