You might not be ready for leaves and pumpkin spice, but fall is nearly here and with it? The desire of many to explore ghost towns and abandoned sites like the mysterious Atlas Coal Mine of Alberta.
Located in East Coulee, 19 minutes southeast of Drumheller, this one-of-a-kind destination is considered ‘the most complete coal mine left in Canada’ and offers insightful tours above and below ground throughout the year.
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Active from 1936 to 1984, Atlas was actually the last of Drumheller’s 136 mines to close, then was reopened as a historical site complete with artifacts, old-school machinery and first-hand accounts of what it was like to work in the environment.
With plenty to see and do, guests are invited to explore by themselves or join one of 3 expeditions ranging in walking difficulty and time, all of which explore a different part of the site.
For those with less than a half hour to spend, climb aboard ‘Linda,’ a 90-year-old electric locomotive train which will take you on a surface tour around the mine.
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Have 45 minutes and a pair of closed-toed shoes? Stretch your legs for an exploration of Canada’s last coal processing plant and walk a 125-foot tall gantry.
If however, you’re feeling extra limber, are over the age of 6 and don’t mind enclosed spaces or heights, take their longest tour of 1 hour and 15 minutes up the valley and through one of the site’s most unique and darkest places, then to some of the best viewpoints in the Drumheller Valley.
On this particular adventure, visitors will be given headlamps and hard hats but are required to make some risky moves to navigate the valley wall.
Interested? Tours on the weekends fill up quickly so reserve your spot now, otherwise, good luck!
You never know what you’ll see, hear or experience along the way. Word on the street is that it’s also haunted.Â
Atlas Coal Mine, Alberta
Where:Â Box 521, 110 Century Dr. East Coulee
Cost:Â $7.75+
