Abstract: A method of and apparatus for sinking essentially vertical bores, in particular large-hole bores, shafts or the like, the bore direction being pre-determined for a bore head or the like, rotatable by means of a set of bore rods, using a device which may be fixed with respect to the borehole wall after a bore section has been bored, wherein the device is released, the bore head is moved in a stationary state into a position suspended on the bore rods and then the direction is determined for the next bore section, the diameter of the bore head for determining the direction of the next bore section being changed from a relatively larger to a relatively smaller size.