Punkva Caves

Punkva Caves (Punkevní jeskyně) rank as the Czech Republic's most famous and most visited show cave, tucked into the depths of the Pustý žleb gorge in the heart of the Moravian Karst, within the Blansko district. The cave is a branch of the Amateur Cave (Amatérská jeskyně) system — at over 35 km the longest cave system in the country — and its tourist route finishes at one of the region's signature sights, the Macocha Abyss.

What does the tour actually show you?

Visits run as guided groups walking through roughly 1,250 metres of limestone chambers. The passages are lined with stalactites, stalagmites and flowstone built up by dripping water over thousands of years. The cave keeps a constant temperature of around 7–8°C year-round, so a light jacket is worth packing even on a hot summer day above ground.

How does the underground boat ride work?

The walking section ends at an underground landing stage, where visitors switch to small motorboats for a quiet ride along the Punkva river through low, lit passages. Boat trips here date back to 1920, making this one of the cave's longest-running traditions and one of its main draws. Along the way, the boat pauses at the Masaryk Dome, considered one of the most striking underground spaces in the entire Moravian Karst.

What is the Macocha Abyss?

The route connects directly to the Macocha Abyss, a collapsed karst sinkhole measuring 138.5 metres deep down to the surface of the Lower Lake at its base. The Upper Lake is about 13 metres deep, while the Lower Lake reaches roughly 49 metres according to research from 2000. The abyss's sheer rock walls are already impressive from the upper viewing platforms overlooking the gorge.

How do you get back up — is there a cable car?

Once the tour ends, there are a few ways back to the starting point. From Skalní mlýn, a gentle 1.6 km paved path leads back on foot, or visitors can take a steeper 1.7 km route with about 130 metres of elevation gain. The easiest way, though, is the cable car linking the Macocha Abyss with Skalní mlýn — the only cable car of its kind in South Moravia. It's shut down over winter, so during that season the Skalní mlýn car park is the recommended access point instead.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Punkva Caves located? In the Moravian Karst, Blansko district, Czech Republic, inside the Pustý žleb gorge.

How long is the tour? The walking portion covers about 1,250 metres, followed by a boat ride along the Punkva river.

Is it cold inside the cave? Yes — the temperature stays around 7–8°C year-round regardless of the season outside.

Does the cave connect to the Macocha Abyss? Yes, the route ends at the bottom of the Macocha Abyss, from where visitors can walk back up or take the cable car.

Does the cable car run all year? No — it's closed during winter, when access is via the car park at Skalní mlýn instead.