It’s been a while since we have visited the Bonnechere Caves in Eganville, but it is well worth the trip (maybe even a revisit in the future). This is a natural cave system that was found many years ago by some guy going down the river nearby and into the cave system by candle light. Yes… candle light. Would you venture into the depths of a cave, not knowing where you were going with only a candle to light the way?
When we were listening to the tour guide explain how these caves were found, I was in awe. The story of the explorer descending deep into this maze using just a rope tied to his waist for safety and a candle lighting the cave walls in front of him gave me chills. As if that’s not crazy enough, the caves were filled with water at the time!
Jump ahead to today and the operators of the caves drain the water during the summer season and have installed lighting and a nice concrete floor to allow tourist like us to explore these caves – without relying on ropes and candles.
During the tour, you walk down the stairs and immediately feel the cool air of the ground that is surrounding you. It is a nice reprieve from a hot summer day.
Once underground we learned about how the caves were formed by the natural erosion of the rocks from the rushing water of the river. They also explained other really neat features like the stagmites, stalactites, and columns. A quick way to remember such features is that stagmites (MIGHT) reach the ceiling, so they are the ones growing upward and stalactites (TIGHT) to the ceiling are attached to the ceiling walls. Columns are formed when the two finally meet and connect.
Nearing the far depths of the tour, the guide turned off all the lights and allow visitors to “see” what it was like for that very first explorer. I can tell you it wasn’t much!
As the tour comes to an end and you emerge from the cavs, the warm air starts to close in as the natural light of day presents itself. The surrounding area is also beautiful and there are spots where you can enjoy a picnic lunch on the grounds or go explore the river and listen to the rushing waters.
We are very lucky that places such as this are close enough for us to do a day trip. Have you ever been to these caves? We would love to hear about it below.