Categories: Travel

This BC park has ancient lake caves and an underground waterfall

Photo via @hornelakecaves / Instagram

Did you know that you can explore a series of ancient caves by journeying beneath Vancouver Island? The famed Horne Lake Caves in British Columbia offer spelunking hopefuls a below-ground experience they won’t soon forget.

The team offers multiple guided tours for caving experts and beginners alike, and fall is one of the best times of year to check them out. So grab your flashlights and warm layers, and get ready for a bucket-list experience!

On your journey, you’ll find underwater lakes, calcite crystal formations, fossils, and disappearing streams. Oh, and a seven-storey waterfall at the largest of four explorable caves (Riverbend Cave)!

Most caves contain rooms two or three storeys high, according to the Horne Lake Caves team, ranging in difficulty from the family-friendly Riverbend Cave Tour to the challenging Max Depth Adventure Tour, which includes a bit of rock climbing.

Photo via BC Parks

Visitors can cross a scenic suspension bridge above the rushing Qualicum River uphill to the cave systems, where they’ll find a range of caving opportunities for all ages. This includes the guided caving tours, as well as smaller ones you can visit on your own.

While camping is not offered at the park, the adjacent Horne Lakes Regional Park does have camping opportunities, in addition to swimming, fishing, and picnicking opportunities at the day-use area, according to BC Parks.

For non-cavers looking for an above-ground experience, keep your eye out for interpretive signage along the Phil Whitfield Interpretive Trail, which guides park visitors through lush forest past limestone karst and cave geological features.

So there you have it, caving enthusiasts! Whether you go this summer or fall, it’s worth adding Horne Lake Caves to your must-visit list.