12 Mystical Caves Around the World To Explore
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Caves are one of the best ways to marvel at the power of nature’s forces. Some form from erosion by sea waters, dissolution of limestone cliffs, or volcanic activity. In whatever way they were formed, one constant remains: they offer fantastic scenery and exploration opportunities.
They provide so much to see and experience, including underground rivers, diverse flora and fauna, dramatic cliffs, cascading waterfalls, and tight passageways.
Luckily, you do not have to be a professional cave explorer to experience some of these natural wonders. All you need to do is choose one whose scenery and difficulty level appeal to you, and you will be good to go.
This list of mystical caves around the world has something for everyone, whether you are looking for a daring caving challenge or a slow and tranquil exploration.
Glow Worm Caves, New Zealand
Glowworm Caves are located on New Zealand’s North Island, close to Waitomo. The worms responsible for the glowing of this cave, Arachnocampa Luminosa, are unique to New Zealand. This means that the magic offered by this subterranean world cannot be experienced anywhere else.
The scenery of this underground river and cave system feels like a starry night sky but very up close. Walk through the caverns or take guided boat tours to enjoy the glowing ceilings of the caves.
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The beauty of the Glowworm Caves has not gone unnoticed or unappreciated. The caverns have been extensively featured in movies and TV shows, including the Lord of the Rings trilogy and BBC’s Planet Earth.
Read also: Epic Riverfronts
Antelope Canyon, USA
The Antelope Canyon is one of the most photographed spots in the world, and visiting it will let you see why it has become a photographers’ haven. This stunning natural wonder is located in the Navajo Nation Reservation near Page in Arizona.
Visit this slot canyon to explore its narrow passageways and marvel at how light filters through its openings. Take in the stunning light beams, the surreal shades of orange, red, and purple, and its smooth, flowing shapes.
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While visiting, be sure to explore the two sections of the canyon, Upper Antelope Canyon (also called “The Crack”), known for the stunning light beams, and Lower Antelope Canyon (known as “The Corkscrew”), which features a series of ladders and staircases that lead explorers through the deeper recesses of the canyon.
Read also: Awesome Canyon Hikes
Ice Cave, Skaftafell, Iceland
The Skaftafell Ice Cave is situated within Vatnajökull National Park in southern Iceland. Vatnajökull is Europe’s largest glacier, and Skaftafell is one of the park’s most popular areas for exploring icy wonders.
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The ice cave features translucent blue ice formations with intricate patterns and textures, creating a surreal exploration atmosphere. Take guided tours to enjoy an immersive experience exploring the cave’s scenery, formation, history, and geology. Come ready to capture mesmerizing shots of ice formations, ice sculptures, and crevasses.
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The Reed Flute Cave, Guangxi Province, China
The Reed Flute Cave is known for its stunning limestone rock formations illuminated by colorful lights. Guided tours explore the history and geology of the rock formations and the series of caves carved over the years by water flowing through the limestone rocks.
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Don’t focus all your time on capturing the surreal beauty of the illuminated rock formations. Proceed to the mirror-like underground lake, Fairyland Lake. As its name suggests, it is truly a scene from a fairy tale. Another notable attraction within the Reed Flute Cave is the Stone Forest, a towering limestone column resembling a forest of stone trees.
Read also: UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Ellison’s Cave, Georgia, USA
Located within the Lookout Mountain Ridge in Walker County, Georgia, near LaFayette, Eliison’s Cave is the perfect destination for cave explorers who love a good challenge. The cave is known for its impressive depth and unique geological features, but the most outstanding is Fantastic Pit, the deepest unobstructed pit in the United States, reaching a depth of 586 feet (179 meters).
That said, exploring the depths of Elison’s Cave and its features requires advanced caving skills and specialized equipment, as it involves navigating tight passages, rappelling into deep pits, and traversing underground rivers. Even the most experienced cavers should go on expeditions conducted by experienced guides.
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Technical caving aside, take time to admire the scenery that comes with this cave. Watch out for its underground waterfalls, including one known as the “Grand Canyon,” and streams.
Read also: Otherwordly Landscapes in the World
The Cave of Three Bridges, Lebanon
The Cave of Three Bridges is situated within the Tannourine Cedars Forest Nature Reserve in the Mount Lebanon Range. The cave’s most notable features, which also give it its distinctive name, are three natural limestone bridges formed by the erosive forces of water over thousands of years.
But there are more geological wonders within the cave awaiting your exploration. Marvel at the breathtaking scenery created by the waterfall that plunges over 820 feet (250 meters).
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While the cave’s scenery remains constant all year round, the waterfall’s water levels go down in summer. If you want to experience the whole spectacle, spring is the best time to visit.
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Fingal Cave, Scotland
Fingal’s Cave is situated on the uninhabited island of Staffa in Scotland and is accessible by boat from various nearby towns, including Oban and Fionnphort on the Isle of Mull.
This sea cave is renowned for its jointed basalt columns, created by volcanic activity but gradually eroded by the sea waves. Some notable highlights of this sea cave are the tall limestone cliffs by the cave’s entrance and the geometric-patterned interior walls.
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Aside from the picture-perfect scenery, be sure to soak in the sun rays and the sea waves sipping into the cave; it creates a tranquil atmosphere for relaxing.
Read also: Amazing Natural Wonders Around the World
The Blue Caves of Zakynthos, Greece
If you follow travel companies and influencers, you have probably already seen photos of the Blue Caves of Zakynthos. This tells you what you need to know: these caves are picture-perfect and Instagram-worthy.
When in Zakynthos, explore this series of sea caves carved into the limestone cliffs. While there, enjoy the stunning turquoise waters of the Ionian Sea and the intricate rock formations, including arches, tunnels, and chambers.
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You can only access the Blue Caves of Zakynthos by boat. You can choose to either hire a private boat or join guided tours.
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Blue Grotto Cave (Grotta Azzurra), Italy
One must-do thing on the Italian Capri Island is to explore the breathtaking Blue Grotto Cave. The cave is in the Tyrrhenian Sea, off the Sorrentine Peninsula in southern Italy.
The most striking feature of this cave is the dazzling blue waters, which give it its distinct character. The cave’s interior features a natural stone archway entrance leading into chambers adorned with shimmering blue light. Join row boat tours to the cave to admire the blue waters and its stunning interior.
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If the sea conditions allow, you may swim in the blue waters known to have therapeutic properties.
Read also: Most Beautiful Places Around the World
Eisriesenwelt Ice Cave – Austria
Visit The Eisriesenwelt Ice Cave, not because it is the largest ice cave in the world, but because of the scenery and adventure it offers. The ice cave is located in the Tennengebirge Mountains of the Austrian Alps, approximately 25 miles (40 kilometers) south of Salzburg.
Being the biggest ice cave in the world means it comes with a grandeur that will impress any avid explorer. For starters, it extends over 26 miles (42 kilometers) deep into the mountains, offering endless exploration opportunities.
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Besides, it features a stunning array of ice formations, including stalactites, stalagmites, columns, and ice curtains. While there is so much to see, you don’t want to miss the Great Ice Embankment, a massive ice formation resembling a frozen waterfall cascading down the cave’s walls.
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Skocjan Caves, Divača, Slovenia
The Škocjan Caves in southwestern Slovenia are a UNESCO World Heritage site and a breathtaking natural wonder known for their vast underground chambers, roaring underground river, and stunning limestone formations.
The caves are famed for their immense size, with some chambers reaching over 330 feet (100 meters) and spanning widths of up to 200 feet (60 meters).
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The most iconic feature of the Škocjan Caves is the Great Chamber (Velika Dvorana), a massive underground cavern with towering limestone cliffs. You also want to take time marveling at the roaring underground river, the Reka River, flowing through the caves
Read also: Hidden Gems Across the Globe
Mammoth Cave, Kentucky, USA
From the name “mammoth,” you can probably imagine how big this cave system is; it is the world’s longest cave system, with over 400 miles (640 kilometers) of explored passageways and chambers.
The cave system located within Mammoth Cave National Park near Cave City features vast chambers, intricate passageways, underground rivers, and waterfalls.
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You can choose to explore the accessible and well-lit paths or take tours that guide explorers through the challenging and remote sections of the cave. Whether you are taking the longer or shorter hikes, swing by the “Frozen Niagara,” a flowstone waterfall whose scenery is not to be missed
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Rachel is a content writer interested in creating engaging narratives on travel, home management, personal finance, and parenting. When free, you can catch her writing for her personal blog, flawlesshorizon.com, watching TikToks, or exploring hidden gems in her city.
