Sloup–šošůvka Caves - Visiting rules
Tour routes and opening hours
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Caves will be open to the public based on the approved opening hours. The following tour routes are available:
Short route: approximately 70 minutes (length 890 m, 202 stairs),
Long route: approximately 110 minutes (length 1,760 m, 303 stairs),
Winter route: approximately 90 minutes (length 950 m, 147 stairs),
The special route called In the Footsteps of Nagel through the lower cave floor: approximately 2–3 hours,
Wheelchair accessible route: scope of the tour is based on an individual agreement.
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Times of individual tours are organized by the operation dispatcher according to the number of visitors and the language used during the tour and based on cave administration office capacity. Information on tour times is provided by the operation dispatcher at the cashier desk.
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The tour called In the Footsteps of Nagel which goes through the lower floor of the cave may be done after a prior reservation and only and no more than twice per day.
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Special cave tours outside of the regular opening hours may be agreed if operational conditions allow it and after agreement with the cave administration office. A group must consist of at least 10 paying members. 100 % extra fee is charged for each person,
- If required by safety or other reasons, the caves may be closed either completely or partially. Should the cave be closed for a longer time, a sign will be posted on the given facility and published at caves.cz and in the relevant media.
Entry to the cave
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The minimum number of people in one group is 5 and maximum 60. For winter tours the maximum number is 20 and for the tour, In the Footsteps of Nagel, the minimum number is 3 and maximum 10.
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The minimum time interval between individual tours (Long and Short) is 20 minutes; fixed intervals are set for winter tours and are posted at the cashier.
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If there is a smaller number of visitors and no fixed tour times have been posted, the maximum interval may be extended but no more than 60 minutes.
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Group tours booked in advance have priority over other visitors. If the group fails to show up at least 20 minutes before the scheduled time at the cashier, the group will lose its priority right to enter the cave.
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Tour fee is paid in advance. The amount of the entry ticket and possible discounts are specified in the current price list.
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After purchasing tickets visitors shall gather at the established time in front of the cave cashier. Visitors will be notified about the beginning of the tour by the dispatcher.
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Organized groups must also provide their own group leaders.
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If the cave administration office does not provide a tour guide equipped with the necessary foreign language, the group leader must inform the members of the group about their obligations and about the Visiting Rules.
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Visitors can only make audivisual recordings without using a tripod, selfie stick and flash. It is not allowed to retard the tour, move away from the group and hold down other visitors. If this instruction is violated, the guide may forbid making audiovisual recordings. Images and video recordings may not be used for commercial purposes without the aproval of the Cave Administration of the Czech Republic.
Prohibited entry
You may not enter the cave:
- individually without a tour guide,
- if you are under the influence of alcohol or other addictive substances,
- children under the age of 10 without being accompanied by an adult are prohibited from entering the cave.
Cave tours
Throughout the entire tour visitors are obligated:
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observe instructions of the tour guide and do not disturb the narration,
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take extra caution throughout the entire route especially on stairs and when in narrow or low-ceiling spaces, hold on to handrails and pay attention to notifications issued by the tour guide,
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should any extraordinary event occur (for example electric power blackout) visitors must remain at one location, keep calm, and observe the instructions of the tour guide,
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immediately report any injury or case of nausea to the tour guide.
The tour In the Footsteps of Nagel which goes through the lower cave floor is done in a speleological way and it passes through unlit, dark, slippery and rough areas, without any modifications where ladders are needed.
The tour is subject to the following requirements:
- visitors must be equipped with a protective helmet with a fixed lantern, strong shoes with a rugged sole (boots are recommended) and gloves,
- pay special attention throughout the entire tour, especially when climbing stairs or ladders and when in narrowed or low-ceiling spaces, when passing through riverbeds or walking on slippery surfaces and follow the instructions of the tour guides,
- only persons over 10 years of age may participate in the tour, children and young adults between 10 and 18 may only participate if accompanied by an adult,
- the tour guide has the right not to allow people who are clearly ineligible to enjoy the tour without experiencing certain complications (handicapped people, pregnant woman, a current state of health, etc.).
Recommendation:
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People who have difficulties climbing stairs shall not take the tour.
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Temperature in the cave is around 8 °C, warm clothing is recommended.
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Due to the length of the tour and the difficulty of the route, we do not recommend that children under the age of 3 take the tour.
Protection of nature and equipment
The caves are a part of a special area protected by law ČNR Nr. 114/92 on the preservation of nature and natural landscapes. For this reason, all visitors must respect its requirements both on the surface and underground, must not damage natural phenomena (rock formations, tree species, plants etc.) and must only use paths open to the public. Breach of the preservation or damaging specially protected parts of nature is liable to a penalty of up to 50,000 CZK.
It is prohibited to:
- touch, break, or damage stalactites, sinter deposits, cave walls, or other cave formations,
- collect or remove stones, bones, etc.,
- smoke, eat, drink, discard rubbish, or otherwise contaminate the caves,
- enter areas outside the tour walkways or leave the guided group,
- bring large luggage, sporting equipment, hiking sticks, umbrellas, selfie sticks etc, including strollers, into the caves; these items may be stored upon request at the facility,
- disturb bats,
- bring animals into the cave (the cave administration office does not provide animal watch services; the animal owner is liable for any damage caused by their pet),
- touch electrical, safety, or other technical equipment.
Special events
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Should there be a special cultural or social event, the operation of the caves is managed by the dispatcher based on the nature and purpose of the event. The same applies to events wheelchair-accessible visits.
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Event participants are obligated to observe instructions issued by the dispatcher and other staff. Furthermore, visitors are not allowed to move away from or leave the group or the designated areas. Any need to leave the designated area must be reported to the staff.
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Applicable provisions specified in paragraph 2 through 5 also apply to special event management.
Final provisions
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Should these rules be violated the cave tour may be terminated prematurely and without reimbursement.
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Should the Visiting Rules be seriously violated (especially if cave formations are damaged), a civil or criminal prosecution will be initiated against the offender.
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Wishes, suggestions, comments, or complaints may be submitted in writing by making a note in the comment book, which is available upon request at the entry ticket office.