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Located on the northern edges of Cusco, Peru, the 'chinkanas' form a network of subterranean caves. Among them, chinkana chica, the smallest, is open for public exploration. Andean Peruvian TreksWhile countless travelers climb mountain peaks for breathtaking views and sweeping landscapes, the wonders beneath the earth's surface are equally captivating. Across the globe, there are countless concealed caves — ranging from vast chambers to tiny passages — some thoroughly explored, while others remain shrouded in mystery.
We’ve uncovered seven extraordinary hidden caves that deserve your attention. While some are accessible for exploration, others demand advanced skills or are located in remote areas. For those willing to take on the challenge, the rewards are truly unforgettable.
1. Chinkanas, Cusco, Peru
The Chinkanas consist of a network of underground tunnels and chambers rather than a single cave. Derived from the Quechua term chinkana, meaning 'a place where one gets lost,' these ancient Incan caves are situated near the Sacsayhuaman historical site in Cusco. Their origins remain a mystery, with debates over whether they were built by the Incas or an earlier civilization. The chinkana chica, the smallest section, is open to visitors and lies approximately 150 meters from Cusco's taxiway. However, much of the labyrinth is off-limits due to the risk of getting lost.
2. Hidden Cave at Grimes Point, Nevada
Hidden Cave, located near Fallon, Nevada, was shaped roughly 21,000 years ago by the waters of Pleistocene Lake Lahontan. Indigenous peoples once utilized it to store tools, spears, and fishing equipment. In 1927, four children stumbled upon the cave while searching for treasure, becoming the first humans in the 20th century to lay eyes on it. Today, Hidden Cave is part of the Grimes Point Archaeological Area, and the Bureau of Land Management provides complimentary guided tours to the public.
Hidden Cave in Nevada, recognized as a significant archaeological site, was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972. This cave originated approximately 21,000 years ago.
Dominic Gentilcore, Ph.D./Shutterstock3. Ice Caves, North Dakota
North Dakota may not boast many caves, but the Ice Caves are a notable exception. Situated in the state's northwest region along the Maah Daah Hey Trail, between mile markers 108 and 109, these caves require a 1.5-mile (2.4-kilometer) hike to reach. Known for their chilly interiors, the caves often retain ice and snow from the previous winter as late as July. Their unique insulation is due to the thick sandstone walls and limited airflow, which prevent the ice from melting even when it has disappeared elsewhere.
The Ice Caves in North Dakota are nestled within the Sentinel Butte Formation, adjacent to the Maah Daah Hey trail system.
Maah Daah Hey Association4. The Ramble Cave, New York
Hidden caves aren’t always tucked away in distant or inaccessible locations. One such cave lies in the heart of New York City’s Central Park. Although it wasn’t part of Frederick Olmsted's original design, it was uncovered during construction. Initially a favorite spot for children, the cave also became notorious for criminal activity. In 1904, a man was found shot near the cave’s entrance, and arrests were made for harassment in the area. The cave was sealed off in the 1930s and remains inaccessible today, though its steps can still be seen northwest of the lake.
Discovered by workers in the 1850s, Ramble Cave in Central Park was sealed in 1934 due to its association with criminal activities.
New York Public Library5. The Pyramid of the Moon, Teotihuacán, Mexico
This cave in Mexico remains inaccessible to visitors, as no one has physically seen it. Discovered in 2018 by archaeologists, a hidden tunnel leads to a chamber 26 feet (7.9 meters) beneath the Pyramid of the Moon temple in Teotihuacán. Using electrical resistivity tomography (ERT), researchers mapped the underground structure without excavation. They believe the cave was naturally formed and may provide insights into the ancient city's design.
In 2018, the National Institute of Anthropology and History uncovered a chamber beneath the Pyramid of the Moon. This chamber has yet to be explored.
DeAgostini/Getty Images6. Tears of the Turtle, Montana
Nestled in Montana's Bob Marshall Wilderness, a sprawling area exceeding 1 million acres (404,685 hectares) with no roads, this cave requires a 21-mile (33.7-kilometer) trek or horseback ride from the Meadow Creek trailhead. Part of Turtlehead Mountain, it’s unsuitable for novice spelunkers, boasting a depth of 1,629 feet (496.5 meters) and extending over a mile in length.
Tears of the Turtle Cave is situated in the Bob Marshall Wilderness in western Montana.
Wikimedia/(CC BY-SA 4.0)7. Wildenmannlisloch, Alt Sankt Johan, Switzerland
Translated as 'wild man's hole,' this alpine limestone karst cave in St. Gallen, Switzerland, has a rich history of human use. In 1844, a feral child named Johannes Seluner was discovered living here, and in 1906, researchers uncovered bear bones and teeth. Additionally, stone tools made from non-local green quartzite suggest ancient humans transported materials from distant areas. Accessible via the Holzkistenbahn cable car from Starkenbach to Strichbodenit, followed by a 15-minute hike, or by a full 3.7-mile (6-kilometer) trek on foot.
Wildenmannlisloch, translating to 'wild man's cave,' is an alpine limestone karst cave located on the northern slopes of the Churfirsten range in St. Gallen, Switzerland.
Wikimedia/(CC BY-SA 4.0)The entrance to Tears of the Turtle cave in Montana was discovered as recently as 2006. In 2014, a team from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Forest Service explored the cave, reaching a depth of 1,629 feet (496.5 meters), establishing it as the deepest limestone cave known in the United States.
