Caving activities

For enthusiasts.... Discover the subterranean caves as you've never seen it before!

This is the perfect way to experience Aven d'Orgnac from a completely different perspective! If you're physically active, you can book beginners' caving trips to visit part of this superb cave system. Fitted out with the right kit, a professional guide will share their passion for the underground world with you, as you discover the extraordinary mineralogical treasures buried in the depths of this listed site. The cave system will reveal its many subterranean landscapes and areas normally closed to visitors, but that you can now explore. You can choose from four unforgettable underground adventures.

outdoor_tester_speleominot_aven_orgnac_ardeche_famille_adrenaline.png
Spéléominot. Photo ©L.Leandri

Speleominot / Caving for kids

Children aged 7-12 discover secret chambers of the Aven d'Orgnac and experience a fun introduction to caving !
Crawling through the cave system, you'll get a chance to see shining stalagmites real close...And our expert caver will be on hand to help you the entire way! Aven d'Orgnac offers year-round caving experiences, guided by a passionate, certified instructor.
The Spéléominot adventure is specially designed for children aged 7 to 12 and takes place in sections of the cave that remain hidden from regular visitors. Expect to climb over boulders, marvel at sparkling stalactites and stalagmites, explore newly discovered chambers, and navigate a mini via-cordata. Beyond the thrills, young explorers will also learn about the cave’s fascinating formation and the importance of its preservation. To experience Spéléominot at Aven d'Orgnac, kids suit up with real caving gear—ready to step into the shoes of a true underground explorer!

Practical information

ardeche_speleo_adrenaline_descente_panoramique_rappel_orgnac_yannis_rungjpg.jpg
Descente panoramique dans l'Aven d'Orgnac. Photo ©Y.Rung

Panoramic Descent

Aven d'Orgnac offers year-round caving initiations, guided by a passionate, certified instructor. One of the most breathtaking experiences is the Panoramic Descent—a one-hour adventure that takes you deep underground via the cave’s natural vertical entrance.
Like the first explorer who discovered the cave in August 1935, you’ll abseil 50 meters down into the underground world of Aven d'Orgnac.
How does it work?
First, you’ll gear up like a real caver: helmet, harness, lanyards, and descender. Then, you’ll head to the cave’s natural entrance—a vast doline hidden in the middle of a green oak forest. Standing at the edge, you’ll take the plunge, rappelling 50 meters down into the first chamber of the cave!
As you descend, you’ll see the cave from a completely new perspective—from the ceiling! Suspended above the underground world, you’ll enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view of what was once hidden beneath your feet: the stunning, towering stalagmites of Aven d'Orgnac.
This descent is at your own pace—you control your movement while being safely secured by the expert caving guide.
A thrilling, adrenaline-filled experience accessible to all!

Practical information

vertige_souterrain_modif_capuche_credits_p_crochet.jpg
Départ de la via-corda dans les plafonds de l'Aven d'Orgnac ©P.Crochet

Underground Vertigo

Underground Vertigo: A Thrilling Aerial Adventure!
Strap into your harness and work your way across the ceilings of the gigantic chambers of the Aven d'Orgnac : a physically-demanding and adventurous climb that offers you a unique view of the most popular cave in Ardèche!
The Underground Vertigo experience is one of Aven d'Orgnac’s most exhilarating caving initiations. This aerial course takes you on a via-cordata—a rope-based version of a via ferrata—through the ceilings of the cave!
Awarded the Innovation Prize by the Rhône-Alpes Region when it was created in 2008, this adventure offers breathtaking views of Aven d'Orgnac from 30 meters above the ground. And to top it all off, the journey ends with an epic zip line ride!
Adrenaline rush guaranteed—all while preserving the cave’s natural beauty. No chemical anchors are used on the walls, ensuring a fully eco-friendly experience. What more could you ask for!?

Practical information

vertige_souterrain_initiation_speleologie_aven_orgnac_credit_phillipe_crochet.jpg
Vertige souterrain ©P.Crochet

The Combo : Panoramic Descent + Underground Vertigo

An Unforgettable Underground Adventure: Rappel & Aerial Course
A unique means of discovering the cave awaits adrenaline-seekers. The Panoramic Descent and  Underground Vertigo allow you to truly experience l'Aven d'Orgnac : dizzyingly high, amazing sensations, it guarantees a breathtaking encounter with the cave.
Step 1: Gear Up Like a Real Caver
Helmet, suit, harness, and descender—once fully equipped, we head to the cave’s natural entrance, a vast doline nestled in the middle of a green oak forest. Then, it’s time for the big drop: a 50-meter rappel leading directly into the first chamber of the cave!
Like the first explorer, Robert de Joly, who descended into Aven d'Orgnac on a morning in August 1935, we plunge 50 meters underground. Suspended from the ceiling, we take in a breathtaking, panoramic view of the vast chamber below—an incredible sea of towering stalagmites, hidden from sight until this very moment. Since we control our own descent, we can go at our own pace, making the experience even more immersive.
Step 2: The Ultimate Thrill—Underground Vertigo

The adventure continues with Underground Vertigo, and the adrenaline kicks in right from the first few meters! Suspended above the void, we navigate the via-cordata, clipping and unclipping our two lanyards one by one past each rope knot. This unique aerial route takes us incredibly close to the cave’s normally inaccessible ceilings. Awarded the Innovation Prize by the Rhône-Alpes Region in 2008, this course offers a spectacular view of Aven d'Orgnac—from an angle few have ever seen.

Practical information