Rydal Caves was one of the very first walks we did as a family, back when my youngest was just a tiny baby.
This walk is suitable for all ages, and is definitely great for little legs. I work in a Reception class in my day job, and it seems like every other Monday someone comes in with tales of Rydal Caves walks!
The walk up to Rydal cave is very straightforward. Here’s how we did it.
Rydal Caves at a Glance
- Length of walk: 2 miles
- Time taken: 1 – 1.5 hours
- Pushchair accessible?: No, you’ll need a carrier or a sling if you’ve got a tiny one
- Parking: White Moss Car Park, LA22 9SE
- Footwear needed: sturdy trainers/walking boots/walking sandals
Where is Rydal Cave?
You can find Rydal Cave tucked into the mighty Loughrigg, next to Rydal Water. Rydal Water sits between Grasmere and Ambleside, and the lake and the cave beyond it can be seen from the A591 as you drive past.
While Rydal Cave looks and feels wondrous inside, it’s hard to believe it isn’t a natural cave at all. Created during the peak of the slate mining boom in the 1800s, Rydal Cave is a man made cavern originally known as Loughrigg Quarry.
The local area at that time was busy with slate mining, and this continued until the beginning of the twentieth century. Loughrigg Quarry was then no longer used for mining and was left abandoned.
Over time, the cavern became popular with walkers and visitors to the area, and was renamed as Rydal cave. This is the stunning cave that you can see today.
Where to Park for Rydal cave
The most straightforward parking is at White Moss car park (LA22 9SE), What Three Words ducks.twins.eagles.
We parked this time across the A591 at the White Moss middle car park. This was a lot quieter at 10am, but we did have to cross the A591 which was a bit hairy! So this is possible, but I wouldn’t recommend it.
Rydal Caves Walk
This walk is basically an out and back walk, however we mixed it up just a little bit by returning on a slightly different path to take us close to the lake. Once you’re on the walk it all becomes fairly obvious and you can just return by the path you walked out on if you like. The times will be almost the same.
The walk starts at White Moss car park, and leads up over Loughrigg Terrace before reaching Rydal Caves.
1. From White Moss car park, take the path that leads away from the road. The public toilet will be on your right, and you might see some pathway signs indicating the way. You will come to a bridge across the River Rothay. Cross this bridge (although you might want to stop for a play next to the water here!).
Note: Depending on where exactly you park, you might cross a little wooden bridge on your way to the big bridge. You definitely want the big bridge shown on this pic!
2. After the bridge, continue to follow the path. You will come to a sign; follow the sign for the Woodlands Walk, including Loughrigg Terrace and Rydal water.
3. Continue through White Moss woods. You will come to a point where the path splits, and you’ll see a sign post. follow the sign to Rydal Caves.
4. The path starts to climb from here. Keep following the path, which will take you through a gate. Here you’ll see a sign pointing the way to Rydal Caves. Follow this path.
5. Now, follow this path as it climbs. This is Loughrigg Terrace. There are a couple of benches along the way for a little stop off if you need it. There are also a few rocks handy for climbing!
6. The path will start to level off, and you’ll see a flat rocky area. When we were there people had done a LOT of stone stacking. Walk a tiny bit further and you’ll see the entrance to the cave.
7. The cave itself! When we were there this time it was the busiest we’d ever seen it! It was the first sunny day in a couple of weeks AND we’d left it until about 10am to get parked, so the busy-ness was to be expected.
Despite the crowds, everyone was polite and friendly, and waited their turn to go over the stepping stones to get into the cave. There is definitely a risk of getting your feet wet here!
8. For the return walk you can either go back exactly the way you came, or try the mini loop that we did.
For the loop, walk back across where the rocky flat area is, then you’ll see and obvious path leading off to the right, heading down the hill. Follow this path. It’ll take you closer to Rydal Water, and the path is easy, crossing over lots of tiny streams.
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.
9. You’ll go up a little slope, then through a gate back into White Moss woods where the path split in Step 3. Just continue to follow the path.
10. Eventually you’ll come to the bridge where you first started. Go over the bridge here, and just a little bit further on you’ll be back at the car park.
We hope you enjoyed the walk!
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