Lépineux

"Lépineux" commited adventure

 

Tour duration : all day (introduction + gear up + access to the cave + tour)
Access to the cave : private vehicle (or carpooling)
Public : sporting
Minimum age : 16 years old
Group size : maximum 5 people
Guide : state-certified instructor

Try to reach the bottom of the "Gouffre Lépineux", the historical entry pit into the la Pierre Saint-Martin system. The state-certified instructor will show you the way along this day-long demanding and technical underground hike, geared towards experienced hikers. 
There is no low-roof passage, you will walk on steep and uneven ground, mostly composed of boulders. Some sections, such as the vertical part (8 m / 26 ft shaft) and the ones rigged with a safety line, will require the use of harness, cowstails, ascender and descender. You will also be able to enjoy the illumination of the La Verna chamber during the tour. 

Provided equipment : hygiene cap, helmet with light, overall, harness, technical gear.

What to bring : warm clothing (temperature is a constant 5°C), gloves (if needed), comfortable trousers to use under the overall, hiking shoes or boots, small backpack with water and scroggin.

Admission prices

Private tour : 500 € (2 to 5 people).

Prices are VAT included. You can also go from the reception to the cave entrance and back by foot (price lowered by 5€ per person).

Access to the cave

Private vehicle : 30 minutes (1 way)

For caving adventures, except in exceptional cases, visitors use their personal vehicles for which they are granted access to the track.

From the Arrakotchepia reception area located in Sainte-Engrâce (Calla district / Alt: 600 m), you are guided on the 7 kilometer route, 4 km of which is a concrete mountain track. This route crosses the village of Sainte-Engrâce (11th century Romanesque church), climbs through the beech forest and overlooks the Arphidia ravine.

The parking space at the entrance of the cave is limited and the possible locations will be indicated to you on the spot by the guide.

 

 

Access

Route from the ticket office (parking)
to the cave
(access to the track is regulated)