Practical information

La Verna is not a cave like any other

At La Verna, there is no tourist train, no cable car, no boat rides and no sound and light shows. You will find few or no stalactites or stalagmites, and the temperature, which remains constant throughout the year, does not exceed 6°C. In addition, depending on the outside temperature, a draught may run through the 660-metre-long access tunnel: the greater the temperature difference, the stronger the draught. Weather conditions also affect the volume of the underground river and the size of the waterfall that cascades into the chamber.

Although the underground volume of the La Verna chamber is the largest in the world accessible to the public, capacity is limited and visits are by reservation only.

Audio guide

Download to listen on your phone.

Visiting in winter

La Verna can be visited all year round.

Access on foot

Alternative to the shuttle bus: walk up to La Verna.

Access for cavers

Federated cavers: 2 options.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions and answers.

Prices

All prices for each visit.

 

Access to the cave

Shuttle : 30 minutes (1 way)

From the Arrakotchepia reception area located in Sainte-Engrâce (Calla district / Alt: 600 m), a shuttle bus takes you to the entrance of the cave. The 7 kilometer route, including 4 km of concrete mountain trail, crosses the village of Sainte-Engrâce (11th century Romanesque church), climbs through the beech forest and overlooks the Arphidia ravine.

Walking : 2 heures (1 way)

You can walk in the footsteps of the pioneers of speleological explorations through a preserved nature. The entrance tickets and a map are provided to you at the Arrakotchepia reception area. From there, a 6 kilometers long and 450 meters high path follows the GR10 and then the Arphidia ravine and brings you to the "Dominique Prébende" hut near the entrance of the cave. The guide of the tour is waiting for you or will meet you there.
Picnic tables and a covered terrace are at your disposal in front of the hut. Attention: there is no drinking water on site.

Private vehicle: 30 minutes (one way)

Access to certain tours is exceptionally open to private vehicles. Only compact cars are permitted (campervans, motorbikes and commercial vehicles are excluded) and visitors are asked to carpool to limit the number of cars.
On both the outward and return journeys, private vehicles must follow the shuttle bus (same timetable) along the 7-kilometre route, 4 km of which is a concrete mountain track.

 

Access

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