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Tucked just outside Canmore is one of Alberta’s most unexpected outdoor experiences, a guided cave system that takes you deep underground into a world most people never think to explore.
Known as Rat’s Nest Cave, it is a wild, undeveloped limestone cave located underneath Grotto Mountain. It combines hiking and caving into an experience unlike anything you’ll find above ground.
Inside the cave experience
Rat’s Nest Cave is a designated Provincial Historic Resource, so unfortunately, you’re unable to show up and explore the cave on your own. According to Canmore Cave Tours, this is to help protect the cave while ensuring everyone inside is properly cared for and guided through the cave system.
Luckily, Canmore Cave Tours offers year-round cave tours led by certified guides trained in wilderness first aid, cave rescue, and advanced caving techniques. Before heading underground, visitors will receive a full safety briefing so they know what to expect and don’t feel like they’re walking in unthinkingly.
Once you’re inside the cave, it’s actually less scary than you’d imagine. Most of the route is made up of walking passages, with a few short sections where you might need to do a duck-walk or a quick crawl. The tightest point is only about 15 centimetres long, and even that section is optional depending on the route you take.
If you’re still feeling a little unsure about enclosed spaces, it’s worth knowing that the guides can adjust the pace, talk you through every section, and make sure you’re comfortable and can move through the smaller areas at your own pace.
Planning your next adventure
If you’re looking to experience Rat’s Nest Cave, Canmore Cave Tours offers two guided tour options. The Explorer Tour is the shorter option, with about 2.5 hours underground and a total experience of roughly 4.5 hours, including the hike in and out of the cave.
The Adventure Tour is the longer, more advanced option, with about four hours underground and a total experience of about six hours. This tour explores more of the cave and includes an 18-metre rappel into one of the deeper sections.
Both tours are similar in physical difficulty and require a moderate level of fitness, making them a great option for anyone who enjoys hiking.
The minimum age for the Explorer Tour is 10, while the Adventure Tour requires participants to be at least 12. All guests must be able to wear a safety harness, which has specific sizing limits that should be checked before booking.
Tours run daily depending on availability, but booking in advance is highly recommended during the warmer months, as spots tend to fill up quickly.
While this might not be your typical Alberta hike, Rat’s Nest Cave offers a completely different side of the outdoors, combining adventure, exploration, and something most people have never tried before.
When: Open Daily
Time: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where 129 Bow Meadows Cres., Canmore, Alta.
Cost: Starting at $199
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