The Most Popular Cave, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the cave you think is the most popular!
Updated on Apr 26, 2024 06:32
Caves hold the secrets of geological histories, unique ecosystems, and tales of historical hideouts. Finding the more popular ones helps outdoor enthusiasts determine which caverns might offer the most awe-inspiring adventures or the safest exploratory routes. This popular opinion shapes accessibility improvements and conservation efforts, benefiting both the caves themselves and those who wish to visit them.
By providing a space for people to vote on their favorite caves, our rankings reflect collective experiences and preferences. Regular updates ensure that new discoveries or enhanced facilities are recognized. We encourage everyone to participate, as each vote helps to refine recommendations and guides future explorers in making informed choices about their next subterranean journey.
What Is the Most Popular Cave?
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137votes
Daniel Schwen · CC BY-SA 4.0Mammoth Cave is located in Kentucky, USA, it is the world's longest cave system with more than 400 miles of explored passageways. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.Mammoth Cave, located in Kentucky, United States, is the longest known cave system in the world. Explored by various Native American tribes for thousands of years, its documented exploration began in 1790. The cave was created through the erosive action of underground water on limestone, resulting in a complex network of passages and chambers.- Length: 412 miles (664 kilometers)
- Area: 52,830 acres (21,380 hectares)
- Depth: 379 feet (116 meters)
- Largest Chamber: Mammoth Dome - 192 feet (59 meters) high and 200 feet (61 meters) wide
- Tourism: Approximately 2 million visitors annually
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232votesLascaux - located in France, it is famous for its Paleolithic cave paintings, which are estimated to be around 17,000 years old. It was closed to the public in 1963 to prevent damage to the fragile paintings.Lascaux is a renowned prehistoric cave located in southwestern France. It is known for its exceptional collection of Paleolithic cave paintings, which showcase intricate artwork created by early humans. The cave holds great archaeological and cultural significance, offering a glimpse into the lives and artistic capabilities of our ancestors.
- Age: Approximately 17,000 years old
- Discovery: Discovered in 1940 by a group of teenagers
- Size: The main cave gallery measures around 66 feet long and 20 feet wide
- Artwork: Over 600 painted and engraved animal representations including horses, aurochs, deer, and more
- Style: Predominantly characterized by naturalistic depictions
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321votesCarlsbad Caverns is located in New Mexico, USA, it is known for its large underground chambers and unique rock formations, including stalactites and stalagmites. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.Carlsbad Caverns is a geological marvel located in Carlsbad, New Mexico. It is a vast limestone cave system known for its stunning underground chambers and formations. The caverns are famous for their massive rooms and intricate crystal formations, including stalactites, stalagmites, and columns. The majestic Big Room, the main attraction of Carlsbad Caverns, is one of the largest underground chambers in North America. It is a popular tourist destination and a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Location: Carlsbad, New Mexico, United States
- Discovery: Discovered by Jim White in 1898
- Size: More than 30 miles (48 km) of surveyed passageways
- Depth: 1,597 feet (486 meters) at the deepest point
- Main Chamber: Big Room or Hall of the Giants: 4,000 feet (1,220 meters) long, 625 feet (191 meters) wide, and 255 feet (78 meters) high
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422votesAltamira - located in Spain, it is another cave famous for its Paleolithic cave paintings, which are estimated to be around 20,000 years old. It was also closed to the public in 2002 to prevent damage to the paintings.Altamira is a prehistoric cave located in Northern Spain, known for its remarkable Paleolithic rock art. The cave holds some of the world's finest examples of Upper Paleolithic paintings, particularly vivid representations of animals such as bison, horses, and deer. The art in Altamira was created by the Magdalenian culture around 35,600 and 13,500 years ago.
- Location: Northern Spain
- Age: Approximately 35,600-13,500 years ago
- Rock Art Style: Upper Paleolithic
- Subjects: Mainly animals - bison, horses, deer, etc.
- Vividness of Art: Exceptional
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514votesLechuguilla Cave - located in New Mexico, USA, it is known for its large chambers and rare formations, including helictites and gypsum chandeliers. It is one of the deepest caves in the world.Lechuguilla Cave is one of the most popular caves located in Carlsbad Caverns National Park in New Mexico, United States. It is renowned for its stunning formations, unique geological features, and extreme depth.
- Depth: 1,604 feet (489 meters)
- Length: 138.3 miles (222.6 kilometers)
- Formation Age: 4-6 million years old
- Exploration Start: 1986
- Exploration End: Present
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618votesWaitomo Glowworm Caves - located in New Zealand, it is famous for its glowworms, which light up the cave like stars in the night sky. Visitors can take guided tours through the cave.The Waitomo Glowworm Caves is a stunning natural attraction located in Waitomo, New Zealand. These unique caves are famous for their grandeur and the presence of thousands of glowworms that light up the darkness with their bioluminescent glow. The caves offer visitors a magical underground experience that is unlike any other.
- Location: Waitomo, New Zealand
- Formation: Limestone caves formed over thousands of years
- Glowworm Species: Arachnocampa luminosa
- Glowworm Population: Thousands of glowworms inhabit the caves
- Boat Tour: Visitors explore the caves on a guided boat tour through the underground river
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710votes
Jojo, en:Jojo_1, pl:Jojo · CC BY-SA 3.0Caves of Aggtelek Karst and Slovak Karst is located on the border of Hungary and Slovakia, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the largest cave systems in Europe. It is known for its unique cave formations and underground rivers.The Caves of Aggtelek Karst and Slovak Karst is a UNESCO World Heritage site located in the border region of Hungary and Slovakia. The site encompasses a vast network of caves formed by the dissolution of limestone over millions of years. The unique geological features and rich biodiversity make it one of the most remarkable cave systems in Central Europe.- Location: Border region of Hungary and Slovakia
- Type: Karst caves
- Area: Approximately 55,800 hectares
- Cave Length: Over 1,000 kilometers
- Number of Caves: Over 712 registered caves
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85votesJenolan Caves - located in Australia, it is one of the oldest cave systems in the world, with some of the formations estimated to be around 340 million years old. It is also known for its underground rivers and limestone formations.The Jenolan Caves is a limestone cave system located in the Blue Mountains of New South Wales, Australia. It is considered one of the most popular and oldest cave systems in the world, with a rich geological and cultural history. The caves attract thousands of visitors each year, who come to explore the awe-inspiring formations and underground rivers within the interconnected network of caves.
- Location: Blue Mountains, New South Wales, Australia
- Age: Believed to be over 340 million years old
- Size: Over 40 kilometers of known passages
- Depth: Deepest cave reaches around 570 meters
- Formations: Stalactites, stalagmites, helictites, and flowstones
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96votes
Genghiskhanviet · Public domainPhong Nha-Ke Bang National Park is located in Vietnam, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to some of the largest caves in the world, including Hang Son Doong, which is over 5 miles long.Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage site located in the Quang Binh province of central Vietnam. It is renowned for its stunning karst mountains, lush rainforests, and expansive cave systems. The park covers an area of 857.54 square kilometers and is home to numerous plant and animal species, some of which are rare and endemic to the region.- Location: Quang Binh province, Vietnam
- Size: 857.54 square kilometers
- Type: National Park
- Recognition: UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Features: Karst mountains, rainforests, cave systems
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107votesReed Flute Cave is located in China, it is known for its colorful rock formations and underground lake. It has been a popular tourist attraction for over 1200 years.Reed Flute Cave is a popular limestone cave located in Guilin, Guangxi, China. It is renowned for its stunning natural beauty and awe-inspiring rock formations.
- Location: Guilin, Guangxi, China
- Type: Limestone cave
- Formation: Naturally formed over millions of years
- Size: Approximately 240 meters long
- Year of Discovery: 1940
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Ranking factors for popular cave
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Historical or cultural significanceCaves with historical or cultural importance, such as those containing ancient paintings or artifacts, are often more popular.
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Geographical featuresUnique or stunning geological features, such as rock formations, underground rivers, or chambers, can make a cave more popular among visitors.
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AccessibilityThe ease of accessing a cave, including the availability of nearby accommodations, parking, and transportation, can be a factor in its popularity.
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SafetyWell-maintained caves with proper safety measures, such as lighting, guided tours, and clearly marked paths, can attract more visitors.
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BiodiversityCaves that are home to unique or rare species, such as bats or cave-dwelling animals, can be popular among visitors for their ecological significance.
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Publicity and awarenessThe level of publicity and awareness that a cave receives through media, word of mouth, or tourism campaigns can impact its popularity.
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Educational valueCaves that serve as an important source of scientific or educational information can attract researchers, students, and other visitors interested in learning about the cave's features.
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Activities availableCaves that offer additional recreational activities, such as guided tours, spelunking, or photography, can make them more appealing to visitors and increase their popularity.
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Aesthetic appealThe overall beauty and visual appeal of a cave, including its natural formations, lighting, and coloration, can influence its popularity among visitors.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most popular cave. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or cavern is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 1520 views
- 170 votes
- 10 ranked items
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each cavern once every 24 hours. The rank of each cavern is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most popular cave
Caves have always been a source of fascination for humans, with their dark, mysterious interiors and the secrets they hold. From stunning underground rock formations to ancient cave paintings, caves offer a glimpse into the earth's past and the natural wonders it has to offer. With so many caves around the world, it's hard to determine which one is the most popular. However, through the use of polls and user votes, we've compiled a list of the most popular caves worldwide, each with its unique charm and allure. So, let's dive in and explore what makes these caves so beloved by people all over the world.
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