Difficulty Rating

It is important to understand the challenges and difficulty ratings for the tour you are choosing. It’s just as important to consider the other members of your party before you make your booking.

Also be familiar with What To Wear for your cave tour.

NOTE: If you are the person making the booking, you have an obligation to communicate this information to all others in your party.

Riverbend Cave Explorer Tour (easiest)

Challenge Rating ✦✦✧✧✧

ages 5+ only
approx. 1 hr. 45 min. duration
good footwear and long clothing recommended – No flip-flops or crocs
cave temperature is 8 degrees Celsius (46 deg. F)
no backpacks allowed in cave
please arrive 30 min. early to gear-up and sign Liability Waivers
includes a moderately strenuous UPHILL trail for 1km. (25 mins.), broken up by 5 informative stops
steep metal stairs at the entrance to Riverbend Cave
explorers must navigate in the cave over loose and slippery rocks up to 1 metre high
tours usually include a short “lights-out” session
return to Visitor Centre via a steep downhill trail

Multi – Cave Explorer (moderate)

Challenge Rating ✦✦✦✧✧

ages 8+ only (except on Private Tours)
approx. 2.5 hrs. duration
solid footwear and long clothing recommended
cave temperature is 8 degrees Celsius (46 deg. F)
participants will likely get wet on days with moderate water flow
no backpacks allowed in cave
please arrive 30 min. early to gear-up and sign Liability Waivers
includes a moderately strenuous UPHILL trail for 1km. (25 mins.), broken up by 5 informative stops
steep metal stairs at the entrance to Riverbend Cave
Participants will negotiate some tight passages, downhill slides and ladders, short climbs (up to 2 metres high), lots of cave scrambling and travel over WET, loose rocks and slippery walls
a steep downhill trail leads to additional caves
Main Cave has a narrow, vertical entrance squeeze
option to climb three short waterfalls (each approx. 2m. high)
to descend from top of waterfalls, participants must negotiate a ramp, a cave-slide and 2 ladders
tours usually include a short “lights-out” session

IN Fall/Winter – Although not required, you’ll be more comfortable when the water levels are moderate if you bring:

waterproof or rubber boots with warm socks
rain gear or nylon outer shell
thin hat under helmet and gloves (available for purchase at the Visitor Centre)
AVOID JEANS or other cotton clothes
complete change of clothes for afterward
a fun attitude

Achilles Challenge (more challenging)

Challenge Rating ✦✦✦✦✧

Ages 13+
approximately 4 hrs duration
Tour Must Have At Least 2 Participants to Run (Max of 6)
please arrive 30 min. early to gear-up and sign Liability Waivers
requires recent rappel experience for your own comfort and safety
cave temperature is 8 degrees Celsius (46 deg. F)
warm clothing required (2 layers min.). Avoid cotton jeans or shirts. Recommend nylon or poly-pro pants, shirt, sweater / jacket
good solid footwear like running shoes or boots is MANDATORY. No flip-flops or crocs
nice to have kneepads, gardening gloves and a warm hat or toque in case you get cold
no backpacks allowed in cave
bring an energy bar or easy to eat snack that fits in your pocket
includes a moderately strenuous UPHILL trail for 1km. (25 mins.), broken up by 5 informative stops
steep metal stairs at the entrance to Riverbend Cave
explorers must navigate in the cave over loose and slippery rocks
explorers must pass through 3 crawl passages, about the same size as crawling under a picnic table bench.
the guide will drain a submerged section of the cave (a crawl known as “the siphon”) in order for explorers to crawl into the second half of Riverbend Cave
this trip requires negotiating 2 different rope stations starting with a downclimb of 5.5 metres (17ft), and then climbing down a 15ft Cable Ladder.
Returning to the surface requires re-tracing your steps back up all the vertical drops, back through “the siphon” and the crawlways
tours usually include a short “lights-out” session
return to Visitor Centre via a steep downhill trail
max. harness size: WAIST =114 cms. (45 inches). THIGH = 69 cms. (27 inches)

Max Depth Adventure Cave Tour (most challenging)

Challenge Rating ✦✦✦✦✦

Ages 13+
approximately 5.5hrs duration including 30min outdoor rappelling demo/practice prior to tour.
Tour Must Have At Least 2 Participants to Run (Max of 6)
please arrive 30 min. early to gear-up and sign Liability Waivers
cave temperature is 8 degrees Celsius (46 deg. F)
warm clothing required (2 layers min.). Avoid cotton jeans or shirts. Recommend nylon or poly-pro pants, shirt, sweater / jacket
good solid footwear like running shoes or boots is MANDATORY. No flip-flops or crocs
nice to have kneepads, gardening gloves and a warm hat or toque in case you get cold
no backpacks allowed in cave
bring an energy bar or easy to eat snack that fits in your pocket
includes a moderately strenuous UPHILL trail for 1km. (25 mins.), broken up by 5 informative stops
steep metal stairs at the entrance to Riverbend Cave
explorers must navigate in the cave over loose and slippery rocks
explorers must pass through 3 crawl passages, about the same size as crawling under a picnic table
the guide will drain a submerged section of the cave (a crawl known as “the siphon”) in order for explorers to crawl into the second half of Riverbend Cave
this trip requires negotiating 5 different rope stations starting with a rappel of 5 metres, (15 ft.), climbing down a 5m. (15 ft.) cable ladder followed by a 8 metre (25 ft.) traverse line then a 20 metre (65 ft.) rappel, always secured by rope.
Returning to the surface requires re-tracing your steps back up all the vertical drops, back through “the siphon” and the crawlways
tours usually include a short “lights-out” session
return to Visitor Centre via a steep downhill trail
max. harness size: WAIST =114 cms. (45 inches). THIGH = 69 cms. (27 inches)