Rat's Nest Cave

Rat’s Nest is Canada’s 4th-longest cave. It is inside Grotto Mountain, just 10 minutes from Canmore. While it is a Provincial Historic Resource, it is not a “show cave”. There are no lights and no stairs. Just endless places to slither on your belly or squeeze through incredibly tight passageways with names like “The Laundry Chute” – or drop 20 m on a rappel, pictured at right. In Rat’s Nest, you’ll see what caving is really all about. Access to the cave is only via a guided tour with Canmore Cave Tours. Canmore Cave Tours offers two tours, an Explorer and an Adventure tour. Both go to similar places, but the Adventure Tour throws in the rappel, and Laundry Chute tight slither, plus a few very tight squeezes. Both of these tours can be work, and are not for the out of shape. Expect bruises after your foray into the cave.