Activities
- - - Abseiling
    - Gorge Scrambling
    - Raft Building
  - - Bushcraft
    - Mobile Climbing Wall
    - Rock Climbing
  - - Canoeing
    - Onsite Activities
    - Rock Scrambling
  - - Caving
    - Orienteering & Hiking
    - Team Building
Mixed Adventure Days
- - - Burbage Adventure Day
    - Grindleford Adventure Day
  - - Black Rocks Adventure Day
    - Stoney Middleton Adventure Day
  - - Cheedale Adventure Day
  - - Cromford Adventure Day
Groups
- - - Badged Youth & Sports Teams
    - Schools & Youth Organisations
    - The King’s Trust Programmes
  - - Corporate Events & Team Challenge Days
    - Scouts & Cadets
  - - Faith Groups
    - SEND & Inclusion
  - - Friends & Families
    - Stag & Hen Events
Services
- - - Education Services
    - Training & Technical Advice
  - - Qualifications & Awards
  - - Sponsored Abseils
  - - Strategic Partnerships
Information
Courses & Booking
Contact Us

Caving, Potholing and Mine Exploration

The Peak District region of Derbyshire has a wonderfully diverse range of caving, potholing and mine exploration possibilities for all ages abilities.

Caving Peak District

Our privileged access arrangements to some underground cave venues and our levels of technical expertise mean that, the underground experiences we offer can rarely be replicated.

Acclimbatize caving Instructors and Leaders are trained to impart geological, historical and environmental information with the aim of bringing the underground environment to life. This approach to cave leadership enriches the cave experience for our clients.

Derbyshire benefits from a rich history of metal and stone mining. Join us and step back in time to understand how the Peak District played a crucial role in the industrial revolution and uncover the rich industrial heritage of the area.

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Developmental Instruction

Caving provides a powerful group experience in which participants can work co-operatively in an environment which may be physically or emotionally challenging.  Individuals will often implement team decisions in response to changing circumstances.

The activity provides genuine opportunities for people to take on leadership roles and achieve success both at a group and personal level.

Key Learning: Safety Equipment, Safety Instructions, Team Work, Decision Making, Leadership Opportunities, Assisting Others, Environmental Awareness. Caving Peak District

Introductory Caving Trips - Level 1

Introductory caving trips will take place in underground cave systems which are predominantly horizontal in their nature. Prior to setting off underground, we equip you with helmets, lighting, oversuits and boots.  You will then explore a variety of subterranean cave passages under expert instruction. Some caves considered to be ‘level 1’ have sections where climbing / scrambling is required to negotiate sections of cave passageway – these can be protected by use of the leaders rope from above.

Our instructional staff will bring the underground environment to life by imparting information about the structure of limestone, the origin of caves (formation and development), how the caves were discovered and subsequently explored. Most cave leaders seem to have a natural leaning towards story telling which can add a ‘further dimension’ to your underground experience!

Intermediate Caving Trips - Level 2

Still suitable for beginners so called ‘Level 2’ indicates that caves will have vertical sections.  These vertical sections of cave are negotiated by a variety of more advanced caving techniques such as abseiling during descent and by rope (lifeline) protected ladder climbing when returning to the surface.

Vertical caving offers a superb variety of adventurous underground challenges. These trips usually take a full day in duration and may be more physically committing. Appropriate technical skills training may be completed above ground before venturing into the cave system.

Mine Exploration

The Peak District affords the opportunity to explore numerous abandoned mines. The sites we use are all inspected and approved for group use by a qualified mines inspector.

The use of such places with groups provides a rare backdrop from where the most powerful learning can be fully experienced in this dynamic environment.

Classic Caving – Derbyshire and Yorkshire

We offer cavers the opportunity to join us in exploring some of the biggest, deepest and most spectacular caves in the country.  We visit many classic systems, which may otherwise be beyond the present scope of our clients for logistical or technical reasons. Some previous vertical caving is necessary.

Reviews

      EXCELLENT  
   Based on 144 reviews 
    
 
 
 
   
 
 
       Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Melanie FA 
 19 January 2026
 
 
 Verified Brilliant team building session Another brilliant session with Paul. This time a desk based team building day for our company. Everyone really enjoyed it and some great learning points from the activities. We thoroughly recommend Acclimatize for team building Thank you.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   david b 
 15 December 2025
 
 
 Verified An exhilarating experience - well worth trying. Everyone really enjoyed our morning of abseiling in a beautiful area of the Peak District. Sam was very professional and everyone felt safe in his hands. We had multiple goes of abseiling along with scrambling up the rock faces. What a great day out we had, thanks Sam.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Hill 
 27 November 2025
 
 
 Verified Brilliant caving trips. 6 days of caving in the Dales and Peak District. Absolutely brilliant! We've used Acclimbatize a several times, every time was a huge success. Great planning and delivery, already thinking about the next one!
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Elijah D 
 3 October 2025
 
 
 Verified Incredible Outdoor Rock Climbing and Abseiling Experience in Peak District Our program did Rock Climbing and Abseiling with Chris and his team in late September. It was such an incredible experience, as none of us have ever tried outdoor rock climbing before. They were thorough and helpful, and it was great for teambuilding in our program. Chris and his team were funny and kepy great conversation with us. Highly reccomended!
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Jane C 
 29 September 2025
 
 
 Verified Rock Climbing Trip September 2025 This was such an excellent experience! Our tour guides, Chris, Daljeet, Clara, and Andy P. were very encouraging and funny. They lightened the mood with jokes, but pushed us and showed us the ropes (pun intended) as well. The climbs themselves were tricky but manageable, and it's really more about getting the experience than making it to the top. They may have inspired a future in rock climbing!
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   lucien b 
 1 September 2025
 
 
 Verified Howling winds no deterrent to climbing Had 2 days with these guys well worth it. Despite torrential rain and howling winds they kept us busy climbing, abseiling caving and gorge walking.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Cory S 
 29 August 2025
 
 
 Verified Excellent, knowledgable, friendly climbing guide Booked a solo rock climbing day and had an ideal experience. Can’t praise my guide, Chas, enough. I am an intermediate climber traveling from the US. I didn’t want to travel with gear nor feel overwhelmed by climbing in an unfamiliar area. So booking a guide made sense. My guide, Chas, was literally the most knowledgeable outdoor climber I have ever met. In addition to belaying me on a ton of routes, he was happy to share his deep experience with setting ropes, trad climbing, knots, climbing techniques, etc. Despite being probably 30 years older than me, I’m sure Chas is a better climber. This guy is a legend. I highly recommend!
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Olana C 
 26 August 2025
 
 
 Verified A great experience in some beautiful settings! What an absolutely wonderful experience! I felt skeptical booking this for my family of 4 (2 daughters aged 9 and 5) as I felt uncertain as to whether the team could cater to all ages. However, the team and experience surpassed all of my expectations. Every team member we came across was so lovely and friendly and our trip leader, Matt, was outstanding - he showed such patience and kindness when my daughter was nervous with the abseiling part of the event. The kids thoroughly enjoyed the experience from start to finish (we did half a day of rock climbing and canoeing) and both myself and my husband felt it was worth every penny - a great experience in some beautiful settings.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Paul M 
 25 August 2025
 
 
 Verified Abseiling Great day abseiling and gorging in the peak district, brought a group of 12 Scouts and 4 leaders. Special thanks to Chris.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Jennifer B 
 21 August 2025
 
 
 Verified Brilliant first ever climb and abseiling! We went scrambling, rock climbing and abseiling with Andy. Four children and two adults. It was amazing! The company do everything right. Communication was brilliant and they asked what we wanted out of the experience. Andy had so much knowledge and our experience was fantastic. I highly recommend this company. Fully supportive, great instructions felt safe and able to enjoy the whole afternoon.

Hear what our clients have to say...

Enjoy the Benefits of Caving in Derbyshire

All underground sites we use are monitored and approved by an outside organisation and the mines are routinely inspected by qualified engineers for structural integrity.
A broad range of suitable caving options for all levels and abilities.
Our privileged access arrangements and our levels of expertise mean that caving experiences with us could rarely be replicated.
Caving skills courses directed by highly qualified C.I.C holders.

Ready to get started?
Get in touch today

Frequently Asked Questions

A typical caving day will involve equipment issue – usually a suit, boots and a helmet with lighting. Following a safety briefing groups will move underground and enjoy exploring a variety of passageways. Constricted passageways or squeezes are optional. Participants may get involved in reading cave surveys and taking a turn at route finding. Some venues may require the use of a rope for protection. Only in more advanced caving systems will teams face committing or constricted sections of passage. The aim of most introductory sessions is to inform and educate about the environment. On more advanced caving sessions participants can expect to abseil, climb ladders and negotiate exposed sections on fixed lines.

Acclimbatize has sufficient equipment for around 40 cavers however we would never put this many people in 1 cave. Usually we use multiple locations with larger groups. There are locations where larger groups can be accommodated. In these scenarios we offer half the group caving related activities such as abseiling, ladder climbing or roped traversing on, or close to the surface.

We can usually figure out a suitable venue or route within a cave for any fitness level – please let us know of any concerns in advance. Alternatively if you are wanting a good physical challenge let us know during the booking process.

We also operate in the Yorkshire Dales

Caving combine well with Canoeing, Climbing, Abseiling and other activities depending on the location of the cave.

Related Activities

You can view our other activities below

Abseiling

Bushcraft

Canoeing

Gorge Scrambling

Mobile Climbing Wall

Onsite Activities

Orienteering & Hiking

Raft Building

Rock Climbing

Rock Scrambling

Team Building Activities

Accreditations

The association logos throughout the pages of this website represent membership of the highest professional bodies at both national and international levels. Click on any of the logos below to view our safety and quality information.

Abseiling

Gorge Scrambling

Raft Building

Bushcraft

Mobile Climbing Wall

Rock Climbing

Canoeing

Onsite Activities

Rock Scrambling

Caving

Orienteering & Hiking

Team Building

Burbage Adventure Day

Grindleford Adventure Day

Black Rocks Adventure Day

Stoney Middleton Adventure Day

Cheedale Adventure Day

Cromford Adventure Day

Badged Youth & Sports Teams

Schools & Youth Organisations

The King’s Trust Programmes

Corporate Events & Team Challenge Days

Scouts & Cadets

Faith Groups

SEND & Inclusion

Friends & Families

Stag & Hen Events

Education Services

Training & Technical Advice

Qualifications & Awards

Sponsored Abseils

Strategic Partnerships