Debutant caving – Doubs
Ornans is a nice base for caving, and when you want to come out into the sunshine there are two Via Ferratas close by, as well as hiking and climbing. For children wanting to do some climbing, the crag at Pontarlier is hard to beat.
There are two good complimentary guidebooks: Topo Speleo les Belles du Doubs, Tome 1 & 2, and also “Mes premiers petits pas sous-terre dans le Doubs”, although the caves in the last one are very short.
Grotte des Faux Monnayeurs
Nice cave with the possibility of leaving the cave by a 35m abseil from an opening high in the cliff above the cave. Straightforward access, about 400m into the cave there is a deep pool. I waded across this but beyond there was another pool with limited headspace. It had been quite wet, perhaps after dry weather it would be possible to go further.
GPX trace of the route to the cave
Grotte des Cavottes
This is a good cave for older children, much used by the local guides. In fact there is a fence around the cave with a locked gate. It wouldn’t be hard to climb over the gate. There are small passageways (not really small), pitches and traverses. The cave is completely dry and not cold. Here are my notes on the equipment recommended in the guidebook:
| Pitch | Equipment notes |
| Sortie diaclase Duret | Nothing needed, ladder in place |
| Faux-Pas | P-hangers, 5 maillons and sling for chock-stone |
| R7 | P-hangers, 25m rope and 6 maillons |
| P7 (salle terminale) | Spits only |
| P20 = boite aux lettres | P-hangers |
On your way out you can use a zipline to traverse the Salle de Chaos, take a Petzl Speed Tandem Pulley.
The cave is in the small wood a few steps from the parking: https://maps.app.goo.gl/t4KzamG2hA74KLAN6
Gouffre du Creux Serré
This was our children’s first SRT cave. First note that it is not the obvious shakehole that you find when following the path. In fact it is about 50m below the path on the right side. For the descent of the first pitch by SRT there are a pair of spits low down, below the main ledge, from which you can rig a free hang. We didn’t descend the P12, the access to it was quite tight although Julie wriggled through happily enough.
GPX trace of the route to the cave
Grotte du Moulin des Isles
Good fun but best with a wetsuit. We had shortie wetsuits under our regular caving gear and it was OK. Be sure to turn down the hill at the fence, the cave entrance is at the foot of the small cliff.