The Saintes Glaces cave around the Hydrokarst room

At the heart of the Vercors massif, on the edge of a beautiful forest, the Saintes Glaces cave is there: a 7 ft wide hole that slips through the darkness. It is totally not visible that an internationally renowned network of more than 32 miles is hidden under our feet. We crouch in the passage called “Le trou qui souffle” (The Hole That Blows) to quickly reach a first abseiling that takes us into this total darkness.

A great adventure in round trip. The goal? Getting down more than 820 ft underground to reach the famous Hydrokarst room, a huge and impressive gallery.

We progress between abseils, long meanderings and small wells. A net of water brings us and will guide us until the last abseiling.

The last 50 ft high rappel is a chasm diving into the hydrokarst room. We regain strength with a hot meal and drink, comfortably installed on dry and sandy ground.

After the lunch break, we go back at the bottom of the last rappel to start jumar climbing techniques that will be taught by the guide

The return way alternates between jumarings, small climbs and always these incredible meanders.

Saintes Glaces caving is ideal for abseiling and learning jumaring techniques. Physical and technical, it takes no less than 7 hours will allow us to join the exit. A great day adventure that is possible all year round.