denivelation

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

• noun caving the difference in level (depth) between two parts of a cave system, usually the highest and lowest known point. depth is the distance between the cave entrance and the lowest known point reached. denivelation is greater than or equal to depth;
• noun hiking, cycling the difference in level between the highest and lowest part of the track, regardless of starting or ending point