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Explore the hidden wonders of underground kayaking with our guide to the best destinations waiting to be discovered From the Red River Gorge in Kentucky to the ancient tunnels of Slovenia, pass through hidden caverns and forgotten mines to experience kayaking tours like no other

A sinkhole on the side of a mountain in eastern Kentucky doesnt seem like the best place to kayak. However, it is here in the heart of the Red River Gorge Geological Area, a network of 117 km2 of canyons where sandstone arches cliffs and abandoned mines lie, that we suggest you navigate far from the crowd

With kayak sales up nearly 25 percent in March 2023 compared to pre-pandemic levels, lakes and rivers are now taking over, And this trend shows no signs of slowing down, with the global kayak market expected to approach 1 billion by 2031

Fortunately, there are still havens hidden beneath the surface for water enthusiasts looking for peace and quiet

Explore the Depth

Each equipped with a life jacket helmet and paddle, we follow our guide, JP Stamper, to a cavern filled with cold air Flashlights flash as we navigate frigid water that cascades from the mine ceiling 40 feet above Venturing into the depths of the mine can seem intimidating, but the fact of floating on stagnant water in surreal silence provides absolute serenity

For 90 minutes, we paddle through winding hollows and vast caverns our glass-bottomed kayaks, revealing huge boulders and rainbow trout beneath our feet Above us, little Kentucky brown bats are hibernating Here and there, wires and pipes, remnants of a once-thriving mining industry seem strangely preserved beneath the waters surface

We did not feel at all oppressed during the kayak excursion organized by the SUP Kentucky company In the areas of the circuit where the water is deepest, visitors find themselves approximately six feet from the rock making up the ceiling The absence of current and the presence of our two guides standing on paddle boards are also reassuring

Underground kayaking may not be among the most popular activities for most kayakers but for Don Marsan, who leads kayak tours from the massive 60-acre underground lake at Crystal City Cave in Missouri, there is nothing better Thousands of people from all over the world have already come to us to do it. We welcome around 20,000 people per year, he explains

SUP Kentucky saw a 26 percent increase in visitors between 2021 and 2023 Last year, the company began offering unguided kayak and paddleboard tours to meet demand from more adventurous visitors

We welcome them show them around and leave them alone for two hours, says Mr Stamper But it is impossible to get lost there because a lighted path guides us back to the entrance.

The company also offers a choice between a transparent-bottom kayak and a paddle board equipped with multicolored LED lights that illuminate the water floor

At Blue Springs Cavern Park in Bedford, Indiana kayakers can navigate Americas longest navigable underground river thanks to a local tour operator who offers three-hour kayak and boat tours 100 feet below the surface.

Where to try Underground Kayaking

Underground kayaking is not limited to the United States In Korea visitors can paddle through the cool and humid Dongyang or Chungju Jade Caves In Belize in the Nohoch Cheen Caves Branch archaeological reserve, tour operators offering kayaking and tubing bear the mark of ancient Mayan culture

In northern Slovenia, a 450-year-old former metal mine has become a hotspot for underground kayaking

To descend into the mine, visitors must take a short train ride before walking 100 meters hip-deep in water to reach the kayaks From there, visitors spend 45 minutes on two-seater kayaks, navigating through 27 kilometers of tunnels and open spaces Please note that guided tours can be provided in English German and Slovenian and that each tour is limited to ten participants

The Rio Chontalcoatlán in Mexicos Grutas de Cacahuamilpa National Park offers one of the most challenging whitewater kayak trips Expert kayakers navigate nearly three kilometers of underground rapids and narrow passages, navigating their way by just the light of their headlamps, a company more suited to more experienced whitewater kayakers

Mark

https://afriumbrella.com