North Wales Caving Club (NWCC) was established in 1971 by a group of friends dedicated to the discovery, exploration and recording of mines and caves in North Wales and elsewhere. The Club combines the sporting and scientific aspects of caving within its projects and activities. NWCC members have discovered all of the major cave systems known in North Wales including the Minera Mountain and Alyn Valley cave systems, and our work continues...
We welcome new members, whether fresh to caving or experienced, and have midweek evening trips to local caves and mines, with frequent weekend or longer trips to other caving areas including abroad. NWCC provides equipment and training for anyone wanting to try out caving.
Whilst our members are happy to accompany youth groups on trips, for legal purposes the club has a mininum age limit of 18yrs for membership.
NWCC produces and holds a wide range of information and surveys of North Wales caves and mines. See below for examples of our newsletter and surveys.
last updated 22/09/2018
NWCC has been responsible for gaining access to all the major caves in North Wales. These include:
In addition NWCC also maintains access for a number of old lead mines in the area. Currently, there is a ban imposed by the Grosvenor Estate with respect to entering all mines within their mineral rights ownership; this affects in particular the access to Ogof Llyn Park and Park Western (not to be confused with Park Mine in Gwydyr). Our previous access agreement with the Grosvenor Estate is currently being re-drafted and there is no access to these systems at present.
Entry to Ogof Dydd Bryaf and Ogof Llyn Ddu is via Minera Quarry. Following the 2017 sale of the quarry by Tarmac to North Wales Wildlife Trust our previous access agreement is being updated and until this process is complete there is currently no access to underground features within Minera Quarry.
As noted above, there have been significant issues with access at some sites so if in doubt please contact the club for the latest information and advice on how to obtain access.
Access is available to members of bonafide clubs providing evidence of BCA (or equivalent) insurance; this is a requirement set by the landowners of each of the cave systems. Access can easily be arranged by contacting the NWCC Secretary (secretary[at]northwalescavingclub.org.uk). Visiting clubs are also welcome to join the NWCC on one of its regular trips, and help with our various projects is welcomed. Several clubs from across the country were of great help in creating the connection between ODB and OLD.
For information on membership, access, trips etc., please contact us by email:
or if you would prefer to chat about activities or access, you can call us on 01978 757305.
Useful links: