Top 20 Longest Caves in the World

Located in Western Georgia, Krubera Cave is the longest known cave in the world, stretching approximately 8,460 meters (27,900 feet) in length. This massive underground network was formed over millions of years through erosion and sedimentation. The cave's extensive passages and chambers can accommodate thousands of visitors annually, making it one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe. Krubera Cave was first explored in 1938 by a team led by Vassilios Galyadov and Vasili Galyadin. The cave's unique features include its massive entrances and narrow, winding passages that require specialized equipment to navigate.

Spanning approximately 7,960 meters (26,120 feet) in length, Mammoth Cave is the longest known cave system in the United States. This vast underground network was formed over millions of years through karst processes, which dissolved the soluble limestone rocks that make up the cave's walls and ceiling. The cave features an extensive array of unique formations, including towering stalactites and delicate flowstone drapery. Mammoth Cave was first explored in 1816 by a group of hunters who stumbled upon one of its many entrances. Today, the cave system is open to visitors, offering guided tours and adventure activities.

With a length of approximately 7,600 meters (24,900 feet), Chauvet Cave is one of the longest known caves in Europe. Located in the French Rhone Valley, this cave features some of the oldest known cave art in the world, dating back to the Upper Paleolithic era around 30,000 years ago. The cave's unique formations include towering stalactites and delicate flowstone structures that have been shaped over millions of years by groundwater. Chauvet Cave was first explored in 1923 by a local farmer who stumbled upon one of its entrances. Today, the cave is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a popular tourist destination.

Spanning approximately 7,500 meters (24,600 feet) in length, Cogonge Cave is located in South Africa's Western Cape province. This massive underground network was formed over millions of years through erosion and sedimentation. The cave features an extensive array of unique formations, including towering stalactites and delicate flowstone structures that reflect the light from its numerous exits. Cogonge Cave was first explored in 1922 by a group of cavers who discovered one of its entrances while searching for rare minerals.

With a length of approximately 7,400 meters (24,300 feet), Jenolan Caves are located in New South Wales, Australia. This massive underground network was formed over millions of years through erosion and sedimentation, creating some of the most impressive and accessible cave systems in the world. The caves feature an extensive array of unique formations, including towering stalactites and delicate flowstone structures that can be viewed by visitors on guided tours. Jenolan Caves were first explored in 1825 by a group of prospectors who stumbled upon one of its entrances.

Spanning approximately 7,200 meters (23,600 feet) in length, Trepassey Cave is located on the island of Newfoundland in Canada. This massive underground network was formed over millions of years through erosion and sedimentation, creating some of the most impressive and accessible cave systems in North America. The cave features an extensive array of unique formations, including towering stalactites and delicate flowstone structures that reflect the light from its numerous exits. Trepassey Cave was first explored in 1903 by a group of local cavers who discovered one of its entrances while searching for rare minerals.

With a length of approximately 6,700 meters (22,000 feet), the Makapansgat Pebble Bed Caves are located in South Africa's Limpopo province. This massive underground network was formed over millions of years through erosion and sedimentation, creating some of the most unique and accessible cave systems in the world. The caves feature an extensive array of unique formations, including towering stalactites and delicate flowstone structures that can be viewed by visitors on guided tours. The Makapansgat Pebble Bed Caves were first explored in 1969 by a group of local cavers who discovered one of its entrances.

Spanning approximately 6,500 meters (21,300 feet) in length, Clearwater Cave is located in the United States' New Mexico desert. This massive underground network was formed over millions of years through karst processes, which dissolved the soluble limestone rocks that make up the cave's walls and ceiling. The cave features an extensive array of unique formations, including towering stalactites and delicate flowstone structures that have been shaped over millions of years by groundwater. Clearwater Cave was first explored in 1931 by a group of local cavers who discovered one of its entrances.

With a length of approximately 6,300 meters (20,700 feet), Deer Cave is located on the island of Pulau Tiga in Malaysia. This massive underground network was formed over millions of years through erosion and sedimentation, creating some of the most impressive and accessible cave systems in Southeast Asia. The cave features an extensive array of unique formations, including towering stalactites and delicate flowstone structures that reflect the light from its numerous exits. Deer Cave was first explored in 1984 by a group of local cavers who discovered one of its entrances.

Spanning approximately 6,100 meters (20,000 feet) in length, Niah Cave is located on the island of Borneo in Malaysia. This massive underground network was formed over millions of years through erosion and sedimentation, creating some of the most unique and accessible cave systems in Southeast Asia. The caves feature an extensive array of unique formations, including towering stalactites and delicate flowstone structures that can be viewed by visitors on guided tours. Niah Cave was first explored in 1935 by a group of local cavers who discovered one of its entrances.

With a length of approximately 5,900 meters (19,400 feet), Kulal Cave is located in Kenya's Lake Turkana region. This massive underground network was formed over millions of years through erosion and sedimentation, creating some of the most impressive and accessible cave systems in Africa. The cave features an extensive array of unique formations, including towering stalactites and delicate flowstone structures that reflect the light from its numerous exits. Kulal Cave was first explored in 1907 by a group of local cavers who discovered one of its entrances.

Spanning approximately 5,800 meters (19,000 feet) in length, the Mponeng Diamond Mine is located in South Africa's Gauteng province. This massive underground network was formed over millions of years through erosion and sedimentation, creating some of the most unique and accessible cave systems in the world. The mine features an extensive array of unique formations, including towering stalactites and delicate flowstone structures that can be viewed by visitors on guided tours. Mponeng Diamond Mine was first explored in 1967 by a group of local cavers who discovered one of its entrances.

With a length of approximately 5,600 meters (18,400 feet), the Cave of Crystals is located in Mexico's Naica mine. This massive underground network was formed over millions of years through erosion and sedimentation, creating some of the most unique and accessible cave systems in the world. The caves feature an extensive array of unique formations, including towering stalactites and delicate flowstone structures that can be viewed by visitors on guided tours. Cave of Crystals was first explored in 2000 by a group of local cavers who discovered one of its entrances.

Spanning approximately 5,500 meters (18,000 feet) in length, Horseshoe Cave is located in Ontario, Canada. This massive underground network was formed over millions of years through karst processes, which dissolved the soluble limestone rocks that make up the cave's walls and ceiling. The cave features an extensive array of unique formations, including towering stalactites and delicate flowstone structures that have been shaped over millions of years by groundwater. Horseshoe Cave was first explored in 1922 by a group of local cavers who discovered one of its entrances.

With a length of approximately 5,400 meters (17,700 feet), the Kungur Ice Cave is located in Russia's Perm region. This massive underground network was formed over millions of years through erosion and sedimentation, creating some of the most unique and accessible cave systems in Europe. The caves feature an extensive array of unique formations, including towering stalactites and delicate flowstone structures that can be viewed by visitors on guided tours. Kungur Ice Cave was first explored in 1990 by a group of local cavers who discovered one of its entrances.

Spanning approximately 5,300 meters (17,400 feet) in length, the Derinkuyu Underground City is located in Turkey's Cappadocia region. This massive underground network was formed over millions of years through erosion and sedimentation, creating some of the most unique and accessible cave systems in the world. The caves feature an extensive array of unique formations, including towering stalactites and delicate flowstone structures that can be viewed by visitors on guided tours. Derinkuyu Underground City was first explored in 1963 by a group of local cavers who discovered one of its entrances.

With a length of approximately 5,200 meters (17,000 feet), the Siah Kang Cave is located in Iran's Kerman province. This massive underground network was formed over millions of years through erosion and sedimentation, creating some of the most unique and accessible cave systems in Asia. The caves feature an extensive array of unique formations, including towering stalactites and delicate flowstone structures that can be viewed by visitors on guided tours. Siah Kang Cave was first explored in 1977 by a group of local cavers who discovered one of its entrances.

Spanning approximately 5,100 meters (16,700 feet) in length, the Dachstein Ice Cave is located in Austria's Tyrol region. This massive underground network was formed over millions of years through erosion and sedimentation, creating some of the most unique and accessible cave systems in Europe. The caves feature an extensive array of unique formations, including towering stalactites and delicate flowstone structures that can be viewed by visitors on guided tours. Dachstein Ice Cave was first explored in 1875 by a group of local cavers who discovered one of its entrances.

With a length of approximately 4,900 meters (16,100 feet), Lehman Caves are located in the United States' Nevada desert. This massive underground network was formed over millions of years through karst processes, which dissolved the soluble limestone rocks that make up the cave's walls and ceiling. The caves feature an extensive array of unique formations, including towering stalactites and delicate flowstone structures that have been shaped over millions of years by groundwater. Lehman Caves were first explored in 1922 by a group of local cavers who discovered one of its entrances.

Spanning approximately 4,800 meters (15,700 feet) in length, Krubera Cave is located in Georgia's Samegrelo region. This massive underground network was formed over millions of years through erosion and sedimentation, creating some of the most unique and accessible cave systems in Europe. The caves feature an extensive array of unique formations, including towering stalactites and delicate flowstone structures that can be viewed by visitors on guided tours. Krubera Cave was first explored in 1960 by a group of local cavers who discovered one of its entrances.