Half-Day Vertical Caving Experience with Dolomite Training

This half-day experience is a step up from our standard horizontal caving trip, offering the chance to reach different sections of the cave system using simple rope techniques. You’ll still get to enjoy moving through a variety of passages – but with a bit of added adventure thrown in.

What to Expect

This experience is ideal if you're keen to try caving with a bit more challenge – but without jumping straight into a full-on technical course. It's all about exploring at a steady pace, learning new skills, and having a go at something different underground.

After meeting your instructor and getting kitted out, we’ll walk to the cave entrance and do a quick safety briefing before heading below ground. You’ll explore a natural cave system, moving through a variety of passages.

What makes this trip different from our standard half-day caving experience is that you’ll also have the chance to abseil down a short drop within the cave and climb back up using a wire ladder. It’s a great way to access different areas of the system that aren’t reachable on foot alone – and adds a fun new element to the adventure.

The vertical sections are short and fully supervised. We’ll show you how everything works before you go anywhere near the rope, and there’s no pressure – you can choose whether or not to have a go on the day. If you don’t fancy the abseil, you can book our Half-Day Horizontal Caving Experience, or if you want something more, consider our Full-Day Beginner Taster or Intermediate Caving Course.

Throughout the session, your instructor will be on hand to offer advice, encouragement and technical support – whether you’re trying abseiling for the first time or just enjoying exploring the underground world.

Looking for feedback from past participants? Check out our reviews on TripAdvisor or Google or follow us on social media to see recent course highlights.

Key Info:

• Location: Peak District (close to Hope Valley or Stoney Middleton)
• Duration: Around 3 hours
• Group Size: Up to 6 people
• Minimum Age: 12 years, under 18s must be accompanied by a responsible adult (for open sessions – younger participants welcome on private bookings)

Who It’s For:

• Adventurous beginners – no rope experience needed
• Adults and older children looking to try something a bit different underground
• Anyone keen to explore beyond the usual walk-in cave routes

What’s Included:

• All technical and safety equipment: helmet, headtorch, harness, oversuit, cowstails, wire ladder and more
• Instruction and support from qualified, experienced guides
• A flexible, confidence-building underground experience

What You’ll Need:

• Clothing: Warm layers to wear under your caving suit (non-cotton recommended – fleece or synthetic sportswear works best). A buff or thin hat can be worn under helmets if you get cold easily.
• Footwear: Wellies provided – but if you prefer your own, they’re welcome too
• Other Essentials:
  • Towel and full change of clothes (just in case)
  • Up to £3pp in cash for cave access (goes to local landowners)

Please take a moment to read our Terms and Conditions before booking. Cancellations made with less than 30 days’ notice are non-refundable unless we’re able to resell your place, in which case a refund will be issued minus a 25% admin fee. If we need to cancel due to weather or safety concerns, we’ll offer an alternative date or a full refund.