TUNNEL ABSEILING PLUS tour the underground

A 550-meter World War II fortress, unfinished concrete chambers, natural rock, and a rope descent make this more than a standard sightseeing stop. I like the way abseiling is taught from scratch, and I like the small groups, limited to eight, which give the instructors room to help each person.

The $88 price also covers the fortress entrance, equipment, insurance, guides, special effects, and wine tasting. My main caution is simple: the underground stays at 14 to 16°C, the rock can be slippery, and the Plus route asks more of your nerves and footing. Bring warm clothes and proper non-slip shoes.

Key points at a glance

• Three possible abseils: The Plus version adds a cascading-rock descent to the first two beginner-friendly descents.
• A 550-meter underground fortress: San Giovanni combines unfinished military construction with natural rock formations.
• Instruction before action: You practice on level ground, watch a demonstration, and receive support from certified instructors.
• A small group of up to eight: This matters when you need help with equipment or want to choose a descent that suits you.
• A memorable final sequence: Audio-visual effects, a pitch-dark route option, and wine at the end give the tour a strong finish.

Why this underground tour feels different

I like tours that give you a reason to look beyond the obvious sights. This one takes you below ground into San Giovanni, an unfinished World War II fortress that was later forgotten, found again, repaired, and prepared for visitors.

The setting does much of the work. You move from natural vertical rock into high concrete rooms built by people, then through a two-level fort with carefully added audio-visual effects. It is not a polished museum with glass cases and neat labels. It is a rougher place, and that is exactly why the visit feels unusual.

You also get an active part rather than only a guided walk. Abseiling means lowering yourself down a rock face with a rope. That can sound intimidating, especially if you have never worn a harness or handled a rope before, but the tour is designed for beginners. You can decide on the spot how far you want to go, based on your comfort.

The atmosphere changes as you go. At first, you are learning technique and checking your equipment. Later, you are inside tall rooms and dark passages, with special effects adding a theatrical touch. At the very end, you can choose an extra challenge: switch off your head torch and find your way out in total darkness.

Beginning with ropes, harnesses, and a practice descent

The tour starts with an introduction to abseiling technique and the equipment. You do not simply arrive at a rock face and receive a quick shove toward the edge. You first learn how the system works, practice on a horizontal surface, and watch an instructor demonstrate the descent.

That order matters. I find that the hardest part of an adventure activity is often the first few minutes, when the equipment feels unfamiliar and your brain imagines every possible mistake. Practicing before the real descent gives you time to learn the basic movement while your feet are still on level ground.

All abseiling equipment is supplied. It is certified to current standards and regularly checked. Professional certified instructors provide guidance and backup throughout the activity. The support is especially important for first-timers, since you are learning both a physical technique and a new way to manage your nerves.

The first descent has two possible forms. The easier option is a walking descent down a vertical rock face. You move downward with the rope supporting you, rather than making a jump. If you feel ready, you can repeat the descent in a slightly harder version that includes a vertical jump.

Both options are intended for beginners. You are not locked into the more difficult choice, and you can decide which descent you want to attempt based on your comfort level. That flexibility is one of the strongest features of the outing.

Entering San Giovanni through natural rock

After you are equipped, you descend the vertical natural rock and enter the fortress. This transition is the most interesting part of the route for me. You begin with a hands-on outdoor skill, then pass into an enclosed military structure where rock and concrete share the same space.

The fortress itself is 550 meters long. It remained unfinished, so its appearance is not uniform. Some parts show the work of construction, while other sections retain the feel of natural rock. You should expect a raw underground setting rather than a heavily restored monument.

The fort was built on two levels, which gives the walk some variety. You are not simply following one flat corridor from entrance to exit. The route includes high underground rooms built in concrete, vertical areas, and another abseil point for Plus participants.

Special effects accompany the walk. These include audio-visual elements and a projection that helps carry the site back in time. I would not book this solely for a museum-style lesson in military history, since the information provided focuses more on the experience and atmosphere than on a long academic explanation. But the effects add context to a place that might otherwise feel like a bare bunker.

The underground setting also creates practical limits. Temperatures stay around 14 to 16°C, so summer clothing alone may leave you cold. You need warm layers, even if it is hot above ground. You also need sturdy footwear with non-slip soles, not casual shoes with smooth bottoms.

What Abseil Plus adds to the route

The regular Abseil tour includes the fortress visit and one or two descents, with variations in difficulty. The Abseil Plus tour adds another descent inside the fort, on cascading rock.

This third descent is more demanding because the rock is uneven and slippery. I would treat it as a progression rather than the main test at the start. The first descents let you learn the rope technique and build a sense of security with instructor support. By the time you reach the cascading rock, you have had a chance to decide if you want more.

You can also try a simultaneous abseil in pairs. That gives the Plus route a social element, although you should still make your own comfort level the deciding factor. The point is not to prove something to the rest of the group. The point is to enjoy an unusual setting without taking on a descent that feels wrong for you.

The Plus option makes the most sense if you want the active part to be central to the outing. If you mainly want to see the fortress and try one controlled descent, the standard Abseil version may be enough. If you like learning a skill, repeating it, and then trying a different surface, Plus gives you better value.

The dark finish and wine afterward

Near the end, an audio-visual surprise takes you back in time. That gives the tour a planned finale rather than letting the visit fade out after the final room.

For the bravest participants, there is one last challenge. You turn off your head torches and try to find the way out in pitch darkness. This is optional, and it is worth treating it that way. Darkness can feel playful for one person and genuinely uncomfortable for another, especially in a confined underground environment.

Once you exit, an air-conditioned van takes you back to the starting point. The tour finishes with time to socialize over a glass of wine. I like this closing rhythm: physical activity first, a quiet underground walk next, then a relaxed drink where you can talk about the descents.

The wine is a tasting, not a substitute for a meal. Plan food separately if you will be hungry after 150 minutes of activity. Also remember that the agency will not allow participation if someone is under the influence of alcohol or drugs, so save the wine for the end.

How the guides affect the experience

The instructors are central to this tour. You need someone who can explain rope work clearly, spot hesitation, and avoid pushing you into a level that does not suit you.

Sara and Marko are among the guides associated with this experience. Their approach has been described as friendly, patient, and clear, with good explanations for people trying abseiling for the first time. Other feedback also points to strong instruction on both the site and the basic technique.

That combination is useful. A guide who only knows the ropes may not bring the fortress to life, while a guide who only tells the history may not give you enough confidence at the rock face. Here, the experience is built around both elements.

The group limit of eight is another practical advantage. In a large group, a first descent can involve a long wait and less direct attention. With eight or fewer people, you have a better chance to ask questions and make a calm decision about the standard or Plus route.

The live guiding is in English. If you need a different language, the supplied details do not confirm that one is available, so ask before booking.

Is $88 a fair price?

At $88 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend two and a half hours in Croatia. I would not compare it with a basic fortress entrance. It is a guided activity that combines admission, instruction, certified equipment, insurance, special effects, transport back to the starting point, and wine tasting.

That package makes the price reasonable for someone who wants an active outing. Equipment rental and qualified instruction are important parts of the cost, not extras you can ignore. The small group also adds value because it supports individual help.

You get the best value if you intend to try at least one descent and appreciate the unusual setting. If you are mainly interested in the fortress, but do not want a rope activity, another underground tour without abseiling may suit you better. The supplied alternatives include a tour of the underground with no experience required, so you do have another direction to consider.

The Plus version offers better value for an adventurous participant who wants several descents. But the extra activity is not automatically better for everyone. Uneven, slippery rock and total darkness can make the outing feel harder than the price description suggests.

You can reserve now and pay later, and cancellation is free up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. That flexibility helps if your plans are still shifting.

Clothing, footwear, and comfort

Footwear is the one rule you should take seriously. Hiking shoes or sturdy sports shoes with non-slip soles are mandatory. This is not a suggestion for looking outdoorsy. You need traction on natural rock and especially on the cascading section of the Plus route.

Bring warmer clothes because the underground temperature is 14 to 16°C. A light jacket or warm layer should be more useful than bulky clothing that restricts your movement around the harness.

You should also be comfortable with enclosed spaces. The tour is not recommended for people with claustrophobia or epilepsy, and it is not suitable for children under 10. The agency can change or adjust the tour if weather affects conditions, or if someone arrives with unsuitable shoes or under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

The tour and entrance to the underground facilities are undertaken at your own risk. That does not cancel out the professional instruction and equipment checks, but it does remind you that this is an adventure activity, not a passive attraction.

Who should book Abseil Plus?

I would point this toward adults and older children who want a small-group activity with a real physical element. It suits you if you like unusual sites, can handle a controlled descent, and want a story to tell beyond another viewpoint or walking tour.

It is also a good choice for a mixed-experience group. Beginners receive instruction and backup, while people with more confidence can choose the jump variation, the extra cascading-rock descent, or the pair option. The ability to decide on the spot keeps the activity from becoming a forced test.

You should think twice if you dislike enclosed spaces, feel uneasy on uneven rock, or want a quiet historical visit. The underground rooms, special effects, rope work, and darkness challenge all create a more intense outing than a standard fort tour.

Families should check the age rule carefully. Children under 10 cannot join, and the supplied details do not provide a separate child price or child-specific route.

My call: book it if you want more than sightseeing

I would book Tunnel Abseiling Plus if I wanted an active way to see an unusual underground fortress and felt comfortable with the required footwear and enclosed setting. The strongest reasons are the gradual beginner instruction, the small group, and the mix of natural rock, unfinished concrete, special effects, and wine at the end.

I would choose the regular Abseil tour instead if I wanted to keep the physical side shorter. I would skip both versions if claustrophobia, epilepsy, cold underground spaces, or slippery rock are serious concerns.

For the right person, $88 buys more than a descent. You get a guided look at San Giovanni, a chance to learn a new skill, and a final darkness challenge that you can accept or leave alone. That is a good value for an adventurous afternoon in Zagreb County.

FAQ

How long does the Tunnel Abseiling Plus tour last?

The tour lasts 150 minutes, or two and a half hours.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $88 per person.

Is previous abseiling experience required?

No. Previous experience is not required, and certified instructors explain the technique, provide equipment guidance, demonstrate a descent, and offer backup.

What does the Abseil Plus version include?

It includes the fortress tour and the first two descent options, plus another descent on cascading rock inside the fortress. You can also try a simultaneous abseil in pairs.

What should I wear?

Bring warm clothes because the underground temperature is 14 to 16°C. You must wear hiking shoes or sturdy sports shoes with non-slip soles.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The tour has a live English-speaking guide.

How many people are in each group?

The tour is a small-group activity with a maximum of eight participants.

Is the tour suitable for children?

It is not suitable for children under 10 years old.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.