Caving and Rock Climbing in Seropan Cave

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A. Overview

Gunungkidul Regency is rich with natural resources in terms of tourism especially when it comes to karst valleys and caves. One of the most famous and frequently-explored caves is Seropan Cave in Semuluh Village, Semanu District. Its roomy interior, 888 meter long and 60 meter deep, makes it a favorite of natural explorers.

According to a recent research, Seropan Cave was once inhabited by ancient people. Human fossils finding inside the cave strengthens the assumption that a long time ago, Gunungkidul was rich with water as ancient Bengawan Solo River flowed through it. After thousands years of process, the area condition changed significantly that it became Gunungkidul as we know today.

Seropan Cave is situated in a valley with its mouth is at the lowest point of the valley. The entrance has a low roof but leads to a much bigger room. The next tunnel is 211 meter long and submerged with water and mud as high as adult’s knees. At an intersection inside the cave, there is an underground river with a very large amount of water discharge, reaching 750 liter per second in dry season.

Nature adventurers and lovers regularly come to Seropan to do caving, by getting into the earth bowels and exploring the cave, and rock climbing at the cave mouth. The texture outside the cave is really good for rock climbing.

Cliffs around Seropan Cave offer 13 climbing route alternatives of different difficulty levels. Most of the routes are made by climbers, local together with foreign. Nearly all surfaces of the cliffs are slabs with 70 – 80⁰ declivities and there are only some vertical and overhang (more than 90⁰ declivities) cliffs at some spots.

If you are looking for a quiet and relaxing excursion, Seropan might not be a wise choice. But when you feel like something spurring on your adrenaline, then the cave is a place to visit. Caving and rock climbing in there would be an unforgettable moment.

B. Features

Your tour may start with conquering the limestone cliffs outside the cave, where there are 13 climbing routes. The difficulty levels vary with average grade above 5.10 and the hardest 5.13. Seropan rock climbing, thus, suits more advanced climbers although beginners can have a try.

After climbing the cliffs, you can continue your adventure with caving in Seropan, which has breath-taking scenery with its stalactites, stalagmites, and underground river. It is highly recommended that you wear standard caving gear for the route, like in other caves, may be challenging.

Besides the underground river, another attraction in the cave is the 7 m high waterfall. It is of course different from usual waterfalls. There are no green trees on its sides. It is only water pouring down from rock gaps in the dark. It would be really amazing to listen to the underground waterfall and see the ornaments of a thousands year old cave.

C. Location

Seropan Cave is situated in Semuluh Village, Semanu District, Gunungkidul Regency, Yogyakarta.

D. Access

It would be not really difficult to reach the cave. You may just take a bus to Wonosari and then, as you get there, change for Bedoyo. Seropan is 200 meter away from the near end of the street. It will be easier though if you go by private vehicle through the same route of the bus.

E. Ticket

There is no charge whatsoever in this place. Only, there is no facility and equipment as well. You will have to bring your own gear to do the caving or rock climbing. If you do not have it, for caving gear you can contact Acintyacunyata Speleological Club (ASC), an organization working in the field of speleology, which is situated on Kusumanegara Street 278, Yogyakarta and see if you can use some of their gear. As for rock climbing gear, you can call the Federasi Panjat Tebing Indonesia (FPTI) in Yogyakarta.

F. Accommodations and Other Facilities

Tourists will have to bring their own caving or rock climbing gears for they are not available on the place. The only facility in there is the base camp, which is the house of the cave custodian.

Text: Elisabeth Murni
Photo(s): Collection of Jogjatrip.com
Translation: Reza Daffi
(Primary data and various sources)

Read : 4172 time(s).

If you are from outside Yogyakarta and want to visit this place by travel agency services,
please contact:

Maharatu Tour and Travel

Jl. Sisingamangaraja No. 27 Yogyakarta.
Telp. +62 274 8373005. Fax. +62 274 379250
Email : maharatu@maharatu.com -maharatu257@yahoo.com
Website : www.maharatu.com

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