Our world is full of incredible caves. Unique and fascinating, they reveal secret worlds beneath our feet. Explore 9 of the most beautiful examples on Earth.
Do you want to go on a real adventure?
Come along with us on a tour of the weird, the fascinating and the beautiful.
Caves are our window to Earth's past – a record of ancient civilisations and cultures. All are unique in their own way, from their size and structure, to their rock formations and crystals, to the animals and insects that inhabit them – some found nowhere else on Earth.
In this article, we explore nine of the world's most beautiful cave systems and discover just what makes them special.
So without further ado – and in no particular order…
1. Kamchatka Cave, Russia
This ice cave was discovered in 2012 by a group of photographers and their guide.
This one-metre-long tunnel was formed by hot water springs flowing beneath the glacial ice field near the Mutnovsky volcano.
The shallow roof allows light to pass through, creating a surreal landscape as the translucent ceiling illuminates its wonderful interior.
This is not a cave for amateurs, though, as melting ice often creates a dangerous environment in which to explore.
2. Lechuguilla Cave, New Mexico, USA
Lechuguilla Cave is known as one of the most beautiful cave networks in the world. It's named after the Agave lechuguilla plant that grows at its entrance.
Lechuguilla is one of the deepest limestone caves in America, so is yet to be fully explored and mapped. It also houses some of the rarest mineral formations in the world.
This is due to its unique location. The cave is close to underground oil deposits, which leak sulphuric acid into the cave walls. This has resulted in rare hydromagnesite balloons and speleotherms, which are found nowhere else in the world.
3. Cave of the Crystals, Mexico
Or how about the aptly named Cave of the Crystals?
This cave is chock full of gigantic crystalline structures. Some of these are as tall as 11 metres and one weighs an incredible 55 tonnes.
Don't head to Mexico expecting to take a gander, though. The cave sits above a pool of magma, which hinders exploration. For instance, the main chamber is 65°C (150°F) with 100% relative humidity. However, the upper chambers can be visited with permission.
4. Fingal's Cave, Scotland
Closer to home, we have Fingal's Cave.
This sea cave is an extraordinary symmetrical masterpiece. Neatly shaped hexagonal columns made of basalt join together to make the cave walls, while hexagonal fractal patterns form the roof.
These unique structures produce a melodic sound as the sea reverberates against the stone walls.
5. Mammoth Cave, Kentucky, USA
Mammoth Cave is the largest continual underground network in the world.
Around 400 miles have been charted so far. This makes it more than double the length of the second-largest cave system – but it's suspected to be even larger.
Made of natural limestone, the enormous entrance cave is fittingly named "The Rotunda". Other highlights include Grand Avenue, Frozen Niagara (a formation that looks like a waterfall in mid-flow) and a narrow passageway called "Fat Man's Squeeze".
There are a variety of stalagmites and stalactites, streams, seemingly bottomless pits and even evidence of ancient cultures that used the cave.
The cave is also home to several creatures, such as the rare eastern small-footed bat, cave salamanders, cave shrimp and two species of eyeless cavefish.
6. Waitomo Glowworm Caves, New Zealand
New Zealand boasts some spectacular landscapes – but many of its most beautiful natural wonders are found deep underground. That includes our sixth entry: Waitomo Glowworm Caves.
As the name suggests, Waitomo is known for its glowworm population. These beaming bugs are Arachnocampa luminosa – a species of fungus gnat. Interestingly, the Maori name for the gnat is "titiwai", which means "projected over water". A variety that is unique to this area, it thrives on the high humidity of this environment.
A cave complex of some 300 caves, Waitomo is home to stalagmites, stalactites, cave fungus, flowers and a variety of insects – all beautifully illuminated by the sheer number of glow worms that live here. Their green-blue bioluminescence creates an extraordinary spectacle, which visitors can marvel at as they travel through the caves by boat.
7. Hang Sơn Đoòng, Vietnam
Although over two million years old, Hang Sơn Đoòng was only discovered in 1991. However, exploration didn't begin for another 20 years.
Thought to be the largest cave by cross-section in the world, it's home to enormous 230-foot stalagmites and cave pearls that are larger than baseballs.
The roof has collapsed in places, so parts of it are naturally lit, resulting in a fully developed ecosystem.
Visiting is difficult due to its remote location – but the local tourist authorities are planning to build a cable car. This should make it possible to travel through the cave system, unlocking what promises to be one of the most unique caving experiences on Earth.
8. Sistema Sac Actun, Mexico
Found on the Yucatan peninsula and spread over 347 kilometres, Sistema Sac Actun is possibly the largest underground flooded cave system in the world.
The system is a combination of two individual caves, Sac Actun and Dos Ojos. It's thought there could be another three systems connected to it.
Littered with Mayan artefacts and human remains, it is a historical treasure trove for archaeological explorers.
9. Stump Cross Caverns
We couldn't talk about beautiful caves without mentioning our own: Stump Cross Caverns.
Our cave system is one of the best preserved in the whole of the UK. Nestled beneath the hills and valleys of the Yorkshire Dales, it's a real hidden gem.
Stump Cross is a feast of bulbous rock formations, twisting passageways and secret nooks. And because it's professionally lit throughout, it's perfectly safe to come and explore for yourself.
So, why not don a hard hat and embark on your own Yorkshire caving adventure? It's quick and easy to book your tickets online.
