Cairn Deep Water DLC launches on 29 October 2026 as a free expansion for Cairn on PC and PS5. The Game Bakers has confirmed three new climbing locations, overwater climbing, limited energy and the chance to play as Marco.
It’s the first On the Trail release and arrives alongside a separate Free Roam update for Mount Kami. Here’s exactly what the official announcements confirm about getting the DLC, how its climbing challenges work and what to expect on launch day.
Cairn Deep Water DLC Release Date and Platforms
The Game Bakers set Thursday, 29 October 2026 as the release date for the first free On the Trail expansion. It is launching for PC and PlayStation 5. The Nintendo Switch 2 version of Cairn is planned for early 2027, so it is not part of today’s initial DLC release.
The Steam listing displays an unlock countdown on launch day. If the add-on is still marked unavailable when you check, that isn’t necessarily a download problem. Wait until the storefront has released it and then update Cairn rather than repeatedly reinstalling the base game.
How to Download Cairn Deep Water DLC
The Cairn Deep Water DLC costs nothing, but you must own the original game. Find Cairn: On the Trail – Deep Water in the relevant platform storefront, add it to your library when available and allow the game update to finish.
On Steam, check Library > Cairn > Properties > DLC to confirm the add-on is enabled. If it isn’t listed, find On the Trail: Deep Water in the Cairn store listing and add the free DLC. Leave your story save alone while the game updates.
How to Start Cairn Deep Water DLC After Installing
Make sure the base game and free DLC are both installed before opening Cairn. The new challenges are separate from Mount Kami’s story campaign and take place at the locations where Aava and Marco trained before that climb.
Once the installation is complete, launch Cairn and open its new On the Trail challenges. The three destinations are Haken, Ruka and Lamu, rather than chapters hidden somewhere on Mount Kami. Free Roam is a separate mode for returning to the original mountain.
Cairn Deep Water DLC Climbing Areas
The Cairn Deep Water DLC adds Haken and Ruka, two sea-cliff areas with overhangs, plus the Lamu climbing gym. These are three distinct environments rather than three different routes up Mount Kami.
Haken and Ruka introduce water soloing. Falling into water does not carry the normal deadly consequences of a fall from the mountain. Lamu offers indoor climbing problems where players can concentrate on grips, timing and body position.
Cairn Deep Water DLC Energy Limits
The smaller Deep Water challenges give you a limited amount of energy for each climb. The Game Bakers says effort and mistakes tire the climber, so getting into an unstable pose and correcting it several times can cost valuable energy.
The energy limit rewards reading the rock before the first move. Look for footholds, avoid awkward corrections and aim for a balanced position before a hard reach. Our Deep Water energy guide explains the climbing approach in more detail.
Marco and the Free Roam Update
Marco becomes playable with the Cairn Deep Water DLC, and his climbing style differs from Aava’s. He is shorter and less flexible but has stronger arms, greater reach and a newer Climbot. You’ll need to rethink familiar holds instead of copying every Aava movement.
A separate free Free Roam update arrives alongside the DLC. It allows both climbers to return to Mount Kami and explore its paths. Free Roam revisits the original mountain; the Deep Water DLC provides Haken, Ruka and Lamu.
Is This a Standalone Game or a Story Expansion?
On the Trail: Deep Water is a free add-on that requires Cairn. It is set before the ascent of Kami and follows the trail of a legendary climber, adding challenges and more history to explore rather than replacing the original campaign.
If you’re starting Cairn for the first time, complete Tenzen’s training and get comfortable with safe holds, pitons and falling before tackling an energy-limited overhang. Our linked guides cover the new locations and survival basics in more detail.
Official game: The Game Bakers, Cairn.
