Been there readers delve into Tolkien territory with their recommendations on all things subterranean, from stalagmites at the Skocjan caves in Slovenia to an Austrian ice cavernAdd a tip for next week and you could win a digital cameraWINNING TIP: Eisriesenwelt, Salzburg, AustriaThe World of the Ice Giants, south of Salzburg, is a natural ice cave inside a mountain, the largest of its kind. David Attenborough included it in his series Wonders of Nature. You are guided through the first kilometre, walking around huge ice formations shaped like fairytale castles, vast cathedrals and sparkling palaces. You'll need to wrap up well for this trip into an icy Neverland. +43 64 685 248, eisriesenwelt.at, adults ?19, children ?9.50 CpseymourUKInchnadamph Bone Caves, Sutherland Between Ullapool and Lochinver are the Bone Caves, so called because the remains of now-extinct bear, lynx and arctic fox have been found there. A wonderful walk on a good path and then a final scramble takes you back 7,000 years to one of the earliest signs of habitation in Scotland. This is limestone country, and on the way you pass springs, and the passages they've carved through the rock. This is Scotland's longest underground cave system: more than a mile has been explored so far, but it is for experienced cavers only so stick to the ones accessible above ground. walkhighlands.co.uk anshirChislehurst caves, KentThese chalk caves have hourly conducted tours by guides who can show you the chequered history of this place. The caves were used as an air raid shelter in the second world war and the remnants of this occupation are also on show, including a hospital and a chapel. 020-8467 3264, chislehurst-caves.co.uk, adults �5, children �3 KmlbFranceGouffre de Padirac, DordogneDespite being claustrophobic, I was persuaded to visit the Gouffre de Padirac and was entranced. First opened to the public in 1898, this cave system is made up of more than 40km of tunnels and 23km of underground rivers. Descend 103m (by lift or stairs) to a huge lake in a vast cavern where gondolas wait to take you to see the 60m Grande Pendeloque stalactite at Lac de la Pluie, plus the Lac des Gours, the Grande D�me and my favourite, Lac Sup�rieur. +33 5 6533 6456, gouffre-de-padirac.com, adults ?9.40, children ?6.10 Valen4971Rouffignac caves, P�rigueuxA miniature railway takes you on the half-mile journey in the dark into the caves at Rouffignac. There you can find outlines of deer, horses and other animals sketched on the walls. Halfway into the journey you stop to see some shallow ledges in the rock, with round depressions ? the winter "nests" for hibernating bears. Recent explorations have also revealed children's handprints in the rock. +33 5 5305 4171, grottederouffignac.fr, adults ?6.30, children ?4 sandralovesfranceItalyMatera, BasilicataThere's something primal about sleeping in a cave ? it seems to cut you off from the man-made world. This town of troglodytes is now a Unesco site where we visited ancient churches in caves, ate in restaurants in caves, and slept in a cave ? albeit one with marble floors and room service. +39 0835 331 009, hotelsassi.it, doubles ?90 OtterClaireLa Grotta del Vento (Wind Cavern), GarfagnanaLa Grotta del Vento in the Apuan Alps is named for the draught that blows through it owing to one entrance being 1,000m higher than the other and thus at a very different temperature. Now the only time you feel the wind is when the steel doors at the lower entrance to the cave are opened to allow access. The two-hour tour takes you through galleries full of stalactites, stalagmites and other glittering structures before a long walk down a vertical abyss to an underground river. Those looking for something more challenging can go on an adventure tour which uses ladders and ropes to visit parts of the cave not accessible by walkways and staircases. +39 0583 722 024, grottadelvento.com/ENG/home.aspx, adults ?14, children ?8, climbing adventure tours from ?35 Ruby11PortugalFurna do Enxofre (sulphur caves), GraciosaA winding stairway partly cut into a volcanic chimney leads down to a domed volcanic cave where there is a sulphurous lake. It's best to go between 11am and 2pm as sunlight beams through a shaft and casts light in a spectacular way. Phone before you go as the CO2 levels are closely monitored and the cave closes when they're dangerous. It's a bit disconcerting when you're peering into the boiling mud pool and the alarm sounds!Bring a torch to explore the darker areas and to admire the numerous stalactites. If you have the energy, you can walk around the edge of the volcano where there are stunning views into the caldeira and explore lava tunnels as you continue to hike. +351 295 712 124 FarawayVisionsSpainCuevas del Drach, Porto Cristo, MajorcaDescend through the four subtly lit chambers hosting impressive snowy white stalactites and stalagmites, before arriving at one of the world's largest subterranean lakes. There's a magical atmosphere ? classical musicians play from a boat, and there's a light show. Despite verging on the kitsch, this is a breathtaking and very special excursion. +34 971 820 753, cuevasdeldrach.com, ?11.50 1ofthethrilling3Altamira prehistoric caves, CantabriaThis was discovered in 1879 and is a world heritage site. It contains Paleolithic cave art, with paintings of bison, horses, deer and mysterious signs painted more than 15,000 years ago. Although you cannot visit the original cave, the replica feels authentic and worth a visit and the museum gives a lot of information about the finding of the cave and the prehistoric time when the paintings were made. There is also a dedicated space for children to have a go at cave painting. +34 942 818 005, museodealtamira.mcu.es/ingles/cueva_altamira.html, adults ?3, children ?1.50 NinnytendoPolandWieliczka Salt MineThis is only 80km from Krakow and a great experience, in a mine that has been producing salt since the 1200s. In the 1800s the miners started creating sculptures and even carved underground chapels, embellished with salt sculptures, chandeliers and bas-reliefs. There are 300km of tunnels and chambers. Also, if you suffer from asthma or breathing problems (like me) you will love being down there as the air in the mine contains large quantities of sodium chloride, magnesium and calcium ions, which help improve the respiratory system ? the salt mine has its own Underground Rehabilitation and Respiratory Treatment Camp. +48 12 278 73 75, whc.unesco.org/en/list/32, kopalnia.pl, adults �14, children �11 NinnytendoDragon's Den, Wawel Royal Castle, KrakowThis is hidden in the western slope of Wawel Hill, where visitors can journey down a tight, spiral staircase into the cavernous dragon's den below. Enjoy the rich 12th-century story and history attached to the cave and, better yet, the metal sculpture of the dragon itself, which breathes fire every few minutes. +48 12 422 5155 ext. 219, wawel.krakow.pl, admission free SallyHarrisCanary IslandsLa Cueva Pintada, Gran CanariaMost visitors to Gran Canaria will never find this impressive world heritage site. The excellent interpretation centre is built around the only painted cave on the islands and the remains of the original stone houses. There is a 3D video which introduces the site and explains the history of the indigenous people. This was a stone age culture until the 15th century, when it was displaced by European settlers. Tours are available in English. G�ldar itself is an attractive town well worth a visit. Calle Audiencia 2, G�ldar, +34 928 895746, cuevapintada.com, adults ?6, under-23s ?3 BylandriggJameos del Agua, LanzaroteBuilt from a design by artist and architect C�sar Manrique, the Jameos del Agua is a must-see. A jameo forms when the ceiling of a tunnel collapses due to volcanic activity and forms an enclosure or lake. Plants are beautifully arranged and the azure waters of a large swimming pool, surrounded by smooth, white stone and palms, are like something out of a James Bond film. There is also a little museum of volcanism ? with wonderful views over the compound and interactive sections for guaranteed family fun. lanzaroteguidebook.com/article/jameos-del-agua, ?8 SilviaMazAustriaSpannagel cave, HintertuxJust a short bus ride from Mayrhofen followed by a chairlift leads you on to the Hintertux Glacier. Once up there you will find the Spannagel cave ? the largest and most important in the Tyrol. For the tour you are kitted out with hard hats and waterproofs ? you'll need them for the adventure to follow!There are wonderful rock formations, stalactites and stalagmites, ribbon marble and crystals to be discovered, and you feel like a real caver ?there's even a couple of places you have to squeeze through the rock. +43 528 787 251, spannagelhaus.at, admission ?10 AnshirSloveniaSkocjan Caves, KarstAs you walk across Cerkvenik Bridge, 45m above the Reka river, it's hard not to think of Tolkien's Middle Earth. As the water thunders beneath you, the walls of this Karst cave soar above you like pillars in a cathedral. The Skocjan Caves are home to stalagmites 15m high, and a rare salamander known as the human fish because of its pink skin.+386 5 708 2100, park-skocjanske-jame.si/eng, adults ?15, children ?7 HkittyNew ZealandBlackwater rafting, WaitomoThere are a range of trips on offer, from the normal tourist trip to the glow worm caves to more adventurous ones, the best of which is "blackwater rafting": floating through the caves in a wetsuit on an inflated rubber ring. waitomo.com, blackwater rafting from NZ$119 (�60) DavidcattSouth AfricaCango Caves, Oudtshoorn, Western CapeThe Cango Caves are a huge system of beautifully formed limestone caves that are perfect for an adventure. There are two types of tour: a standard one-hour tour takes you all over; the other is a 90-minute adventure where you climb through the system and its natural slides, King Solomon's Mines and the Devil's Chimney. It's the best day out I've ever had and great for all the family. Not only will you learn, but you'll have a really fun time. +27 44 272 7410, cangocaves.co.za, standard tour adults �6, children �3, adventure tour adults �7.50, children �4.50 KaySmytheLaosTham None cave, Vang ViengThis is a wonderful adventure. We kayaked to the base of the cave and then climbed into it before wading, with water up to our chests, along a stream. Then, with our way lit only by the candles we carried, we followed the guide through passages to a cathedral-like cavern. Eventually we scrambled up towards a point of light to emerge higher up the tree-covered hillside. Not for the faint-hearted! greendiscoverylaos.com DamelucysafeBoliviaCerro Rico silver mines, Potos�It feels hard to breathe in the mines' narrow and hot tunnels but the tour gives an emotional insight into the miners' way of life. Mouths stuffed with coca leaves, they slave for hours spurred on by the gifts that tourists bring from the miners' market. Tours are run by ex-miners who talk about the history of the mines. The tour is not easy, but worth it ? and it'll make you appreciate your own job! koalabolivia.com, $10 Bex871CubaIndian Cave, Vi�ales ValleyOnly for the very fit or rather foolhardy, this cave is awash with water running over the entrance steps (no hand rails and very poor lighting) and down the walls into a lake. From a small, slippery jetty you take a motorboat trip through the caverns and back out into daylight. The guide uses a laser torch to point out the rather imaginary "fish", "skull" and "snake" shapes in the limestone walls and, if your nerve holds, it's great fun. Most of the big hotels in Vi�ales will organise a tour, even if you are not a guest. Geraldine BlakeGuatemalaKanBa Caves, Semuc ChampeyEntering this network of underground river caves must be done with a guide from a local hostel. It's a two-hour adrenaline-filled trip, scrambling over rocks and stalagmites, wading through pools, climbing up gushing waterfalls, swimming through narrow channels, squeezing through tiny holes and, if you're needing a little more adventure, a cliff jump into a pitch-black pool. All this is done while holding a candle above your head and trying not to lose your flip-flops! If you're keen for a thrill and are willing to put your trust in a small Guatemalan lad with a candle, this is undoubtedly the best cave experience in the world! Posada Las Marias runs tours from �2.50, +502 78 612209, posadalasmarias.com, doubles from �11 AnnaBelcherBelizeActun Tunichil Muknal, San IgnacioThis incredible 5km system is set in the heart of a Belizean nature reserve. You have to immerse yourself in water and squeeze between rocks as you go. The cave houses artefacts and skeleton remains of Mayan sacrificial ceremonies, including the Crystal Maiden ? a calcified skeleton of a sacrificed teenage girl. The atmosphere is thick with magic, and the Belizean Tourist Board only permits small groups from a few select guides, making it feel as though you are discovering it for the very first time. pacztours.net, $90 AlexfinchUSCraters of the Moon National Monument, IdahoIn southern Idaho near Arco lies a vast black lava field, created by a series of volcanic eruptions over the last 15,000 years. Managed by the National Park Service, it's a magical place, with a fierce, dry heat, astonishing sunsets and wildlife including eagles, owls and bats. Its crowning glory is a series of lava tube caves where you can scramble down over boulders to discover vast, cavernous tunnels under the black rock. Take a torch! +1 208 527 1300, nps.gov, entrance $8 per vehicle or $4pp, under-16s free Tim GillettDay tripsguardian.co.uk © 2011 Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds
No comments:
Post a Comment