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10 Most Extreme Spelunking Destinations

Steve Jennifer
Updated: May 27, 2024

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When there is a whole new world below the surface, why stay on it? Exploring caves, also known as spelunking, is an exciting way to venture into the Earth's interior and discover amazing stalagmite formations, enormous tunnels resembling cathedrals, and even creatures that glow in the dark. This daring sport is not for the faint of heart, it requires bravery as explorers suit up in safety gear and venture into some of the planet's less visited areas. If you're willing to put yourself to the test, these underground settings provide an unusual viewpoint on the world.

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01. Glenwood Caverns, Colorado, USA

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Tucked within Glenwood Canyon, with its serene hanging lake and lush forestry, Glenwood Caverns are less trodden but immensely rewarding for those who dare. These caves challenge explorers to crawl and wriggle through narrow, dark spaces—some just 18 square inches. Those who endure are rewarded with alien-like stalagmites and stalactites seen by very few, making every cramped journey a personal conquest against the claustral earth.

02. Great Blue Hole, Belize

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Belize's Great Blue Hole invites the bravest souls to plunge into its depths. Don your scuba gear and dive through a coral-fringed portal into this colossal underwater cave, which spans 1,000 feet across and descends 412 feet. Inside, stalactites and ancient dripstone sheets hang as silent witnesses to a time when this now-submerged cavern towered above the sea level, offering a surreal glimpse into Earth’s geological past.

03. Waipu Cave, New Zealand

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In the heart of New Zealand, Waipu Cave presents a more serene spelunking experience. A gentle track leads to the cave’s mouth, where natural rock formations beckon. Deeper within, a magical scene unfolds—turn off your torch and sit in the pitch-dark quiet. Above, glow worms cluster like stars in a galaxy, casting a soft blue glow that illuminates the cave ceiling in a display of natural wonder.

04. Luray Caverns, Virginia, USA

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Virginia’s Luray Caverns, situated in the picturesque Shenandoah Valley, are a testament to nature's architectural prowess. Formed millions of years ago, these caverns boast massive, cathedral-like spaces adorned with towering ceilings. The cavern’s crown jewel, the Stalacpipe Organ, creates music when its formations are gently tapped, resonating through the underground expanse with notes as profound as the cave's history.

05. Son Doong Cave, Vietnam

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Son Doong Cave is not just another spelunking destination, it's the largest cave in the world, discovered only in 1991. Hidden beneath Vietnam's Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, this leviathan of a cave houses its own jungle, river, and even weather system. Adventurers can trek through cavernous spaces large enough to fit a 40-story skyscraper. The sheer scale and untouched beauty of Son Doong provide an otherworldly experience that epitomizes the thrill of exploration.

06. Skocjan Caves, Slovenia

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The Skocjan Caves are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, celebrated not only for their size but also for their extraordinary underground canyon. These caves are a marvel of natural engineering, with vast chambers and complex ecosystems that have evolved in isolation. Crossing the Cerkvenik Bridge over the silent river below offers a breathtaking perspective that feels like stepping into a fantastical underworld.

07. Mammoth Cave, Kentucky, USA

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Kentucky's Mammoth Cave holds the title for the longest cave system in the world, with more than 400 miles explored. This sprawling labyrinth calls to those who yearn to unravel its extensive passages, rich with history and geological features. The cave’s broad array of formations and the echoes of past explorations make each visit a new adventure, proving that even the most seasoned spelunkers can always find new wonders underground.

08. Lechuguilla Cave, New Mexico, USA

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Lechuguilla Cave, a gem in the Carlsbad Caverns National Park, is known for its deep pits, pristine mineral formations, and remarkable microbial life. Accessible only to researchers and exploration teams, this cave represents the cutting edge of spelunking. Its challenging depths offer a glimpse of some of the most beautiful underground scenes on the planet, including rare speleothems that defy ordinary explanation and appear as if sculpted by an unseen artist’s hand.

09. Thrihnukagigur Volcanic Cave, Iceland

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Imagine descending into the bowels of a dormant volcano. At Thrihnukagigur Volcanic Cave in Iceland, adventurers are lowered 198 meters below the earth in a lift basket, where a kaleidoscope of rock formations awaits. This cave boasts a vivid display of reds, violets, blues, yellows, and oranges—vibrant testament to the intense heat and pressures of its eruptive past. Though Thrihnukagigur last erupted four thousand years ago, the empty magma chamber now serves as a rare window into volcanic geology, untouched by time.

10. Carlsbad Caverns, New Mexico

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Nestled in a national park, Carlsbad Caverns boast a sprawling network of subterranean wonders. The highlight is the 'Big Room,' a massive space covering 8.2 acres. From the 'Natural Entrance,' your gaze drops from the verdant surface into the depths, where trails wind through formidable passageways like the Spider Cave and the Hall of the White Giant. Be warned, the paths are steep and challenge even seasoned hikers with their rugged demands.

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