Ogof Draenen
Encyclopedia
Ogof Draenen is, at 66 km (official figure; the true length of passage is still being revised upward, ith a rough modern approximation at it being 70km), the longest cave
system in Wales
and now probably the longest in Great Britain
(with the record previously held by the Easegill System
in Yorkshire
).
The cave was known only as a small entrance on a steep hillside until several years of digging broke through into major passage development in October 1994. It was then explored at unprecedented speed to become the longest cave in Wales.
Draenen contains a variety of spectacular decorations
and some huge passages (the War of the Worlds section is probably the second largest cave passage in Britain). Its large size and occasional complexity make the cave a challenge for even experienced cavers.
The cave is managed by the Pwll Du Cave Management Group.
Cave
A cave or cavern is a natural underground space large enough for a human to enter. The term applies to natural cavities some part of which is in total darkness. The word cave also includes smaller spaces like rock shelters, sea caves, and grottos.Speleology is the science of exploration and study...
system in Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
and now probably the longest in Great Britain
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
(with the record previously held by the Easegill System
Easegill System
The Ease Gill Cave System is the second longest, afer Ogof Draenen, and most complex cave system in Britain, with around of passages, including connections only passable by cave diving. It spans the valley between Leck Fell and Casterton Fell...
in Yorkshire
Yorkshire
Yorkshire is a historic county of northern England and the largest in the United Kingdom. Because of its great size in comparison to other English counties, functions have been increasingly undertaken over time by its subdivisions, which have also been subject to periodic reform...
).
The cave was known only as a small entrance on a steep hillside until several years of digging broke through into major passage development in October 1994. It was then explored at unprecedented speed to become the longest cave in Wales.
Draenen contains a variety of spectacular decorations
Speleothem
A speleothem , commonly known as a cave formation, is a secondary mineral deposit formed in a cave. Speleothems are typically formed in limestone or dolostone solutional caves.-Origin and composition:...
and some huge passages (the War of the Worlds section is probably the second largest cave passage in Britain). Its large size and occasional complexity make the cave a challenge for even experienced cavers.
The cave is managed by the Pwll Du Cave Management Group.