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The Rydal Cave walk is one of the most popular family walks in the Lake District, leading to an impressive cavern hidden above Rydal Water. Despite its dramatic appearance, Rydal Cave isn’t a natural formation at all. The cave was originally part of Loughrigg Quarry, created during the slate mining boom of the 1800s before being abandoned in the early twentieth century.
Today, this former industrial site has become a much-loved walking destination, with an easy route through woodland trails and beautiful lake views that makes for a brilliant adventure. We suggest bringing a torch for exploration!
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When planning your visit to the National Park, please arrive early or late in the day to avoid crowds if visiting over sunny weekends or school holidays. Please also take all litter home with you, don’t bring BBQs, and park your car in designated parking areas. Also, please use these walks as a guide; access and stiles may change.
PARKING INFORMATION: Please do not rely solely on the postcode for parking directions. In the National Park, a postcode can cover a large area. Postcodes are only provided as guidance. Please either use the Google Maps point or what3words, which are provided on every walk guide.
Rydal Cave walk map
On all Lake District family walks it’s a good idea to have an Ordnance Survey paper map with you, even if you have your phone on you. For this walk you need the Ordnance Survey Explorer OL7 (English Lakes South-eastern Area). It’s also a good opportunity to show young kids the map features and get them started with map reading.
Need to know
DISTANCE OF WALK: 2.9km / 3 miles
TERRAIN: rocky, uneven paths.
PARKING: White Moss Car Park. Click here for Google Map point on your phone. Postcode is: LA22 9SE.
WALK HIGHLIGHTS: exploring Rydal Cave, woodland trails, lakeside views.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE: Allow 1.5 hours for this walk.
TOTAL ASCENT: 96 metres
FACILITIES: Public toilets at the carpark. No eateries or shops along the walk.
The route
START: White Moss Car Park
Click here for Google Map point
Grid reference: NY 3487 0674
Post code: LA22 9SE
what3words: ///richer.snowmen.birthing
Route follows an anticlockwise direction.
1. From the car park, take the path that leads away from the road. After 150m cross the large bridge over the river on your left.
2. After the bridge, continue along the path. Follow the sign for the ‘Woodlands Walk’, including Loughrigg Terrace and Rydal water.
3. Continue through White Moss woods. Where the path splits, follow the sign to ‘Rydal Water and Ambleside’.
4. The route climbs steadily from here. Pass through the gate and continue along the path signposted for Rydal Caves.
5. Continue the steady climb. There are handy benches along the way if you need a break, and a few rocks that are great for climbing.
6. The path then levels off and you’ll see a flat, rocky area. Just beyond this is the entrance to Rydal Cave. On busy days, you may need to wait your turn to cross the stepping stones into the cave.
7. To continue this as a circular walk, walk back across the rocky flat area and take the obvious path to the right, heading down the hill. Follow this path crossing lots of tiny streams as it leads you closer to Rydal Water. There is one section, where you either have to do a bit of a jump, get your feet wet, or cross some stepping stones, but other than that this path is very straightforward.
8. The path then leads you up a little slope, through a gate, and back into White Moss woods. This then meets to path split earlier in the walk (step 3). Retrace your steps back to the bridge and then onto the car park.
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Also, feel free to share your walk photos in our Lake District Kids Facebook Group or on Instagram using by tagging @lakedistrictkidsuk in your caption so we can share with our wider community.