Caving in the Yorkshire Dales

We cave across two distinct areas of the Yorkshire Dales. Firstly the 3 Peaks, the heart of caving in the Yorkshire Dales. Below the Peaks of Ingleborough, Whernside and Penygent lie some of the most spectatcular caves in Britain. But we also choose to cave in Nidderdale, thus much more accessible to Leeds and York.

From simple horizontal caving to more advanced Vertical caving, Potholing, the Yorkshire Dales presents opportunity on every level. Combine this with expert Guidance and Instruction, and the opportunity for the novice is endless.

Below are some details a few of our most popular trips with families, though there are many more that we can access and use regularly with our clients. Ranging from simple horizontal systems to deep vertical systems only accessible to those with the technical skills in rope work. Our sister company, GoCave, specialises in all underground experiences be they mine exploration or caving.

With caving the most important thing to remember is that it’s not all about squeezing and crawling. If it was, we wouldn’t do it ourselves! Many of our trips can involve no crawling at all, but we find that if the opportunity arises then many want to give a squeeze a go, and thats where we get the best photographs! But most are in the main, voluntary and because you’ll have your own instructor looking after just your party, then there really isn’t any pressure put on you.

Thistle and Runscar Caves

Although actually two distinct caves, Thistle and Runscar Caves can be treated as one system and are undoubtedly the best in the Dales for younger children and families. A trip through Runscar entails re-emerging to the surface a number of times and there are good opportunities to vary the trip to suit the groups, while Thistle cave is longer and allows for some lovely voluntary squeezes and crawls. Perfect for photographs.

Great Douk Cave

This cave offers a good introduction to a stream passage, although the through trip with its final crawl may be a bit daunting for complete novices, so we often head in and follow the same route out, unless you really want to raise the level of your adventure.

The cave consists of a single stream passage, with fantastic formations giving you a real chance to experience stalagmites and stalactites, flow stone and the many varied formations found in caves. tis alongside many fossil corals means that its a geologists dream.

The stream can flow quite strongly at times and thus we need to be careful with weather conditions here, but with short climbs and cascades its a truly atmospheric cave.

For more information please contact us via our booking form or for activity prices please click here AV prices

Previous experience: None
Duration: 1/2 day, or a full day but why not combine with a second activity to make a full day of adventure
Min Ratio: 1 instructor to 1
Max Ratio: 1 instructor to 8
Equipment provided: All technical clothing and equipment is supplied
Fitness: Low to moderate
Cost: Dependant on size of group AV Activity prices