Abstract: The invention relates to an abseiling device for braking a load (16, 34) guided on a rope (14), the rope (14) running through the abseiling device (10) over a distance (22) in a friction guided manner, at least one section of the distance (22) being guided via a part (25) which can be moved from a load free starting position relative to a housing of the abseiling device (10), said part creating a force on the rope (14) dependent on the weight of the load (16) when a load is suspended, characterized in that a manually actuable adjustment unit (29) is provided, with which the moveable part (25) can be moved into the starting position in which the movable part (25) can apply no or only a small force from the moveable part (25) to the rope (14).