Nestled on the edge of Dartmoor, the impressive landscape of Lydford Gorge offers an opportunity to immerse yourself in the wonders of nature. Winding walking trails take you through temperate rainforest with cascading waterfalls and fascinating rock formations carved out by the River Lyd.
Reduced opening in winter
The waterfall trail and railway path are open for walks, the waterfall tea-room is open Friday to Sunday, 10am-2.30pm, until Sunday 13 December. Toilets are open when the tea-room is open. The Devil’s Cauldron trail, Lyd Link and seasonal trails are closed for safety and essential maintenance work. This can include tree work, path work and rock face inspections, so please do not pass any locked gates.
Winter highlights at Lydford Gorge
This 30-metre-high cascade is a spectacular sight and makes for a great photo opportunity and it can be even more dramatic in winter. Some days it’s cloaked in mist, on others it’s lit from above by the late winter sun, and after heavy rain the water comes pounding down the cliff face. If we’re lucky enough to get a heavy frost – or even a light dusting of snow – the gorge can be truly magical.
Head along the railway path, which follows the line of the old Great Western Railway, to find the bird hide. It's a sheltered spot to stop and see what birds are around - we won't be feeding the birds as we can't ensure we keep the feeders clean. This can also be visited while walking the Waterfall trail.
With the trees bare, winter brings views out over the gorge that are hidden by leaves in summer. From the railway path, look towards Dartmoor to spot Widgery Cross sticking up from the top of Brat Tor. It’s a four-metre granite cross erected by William Widgery, a renowned local artist, to celebrate Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee.
A temperate rainforest
The habitat of the gorge is known as ‘temperate rainforest’ which is characterised by high rainfall and humidity and a low annual variation in temperature. These conditions create the perfect conditions for moisture-loving lichens and bryophytes (mosses and liverworts). They are the base of a rich and diverse ecosystem supporting large numbers of insects, and the birds and mammals that feed on them.
Most surviving fragments of temperate rainforest in Britain occur on steep-sided slopes above rivers and lakes which have avoided clearance and intensive grazing pressure. So it's important to continue to look after and improve these special places for the future.
Lydford Gorge provides food and shelter for many bird species, including goldcrests. Being the UK’s smallest bird they can be hard to spot, so instead listen out for their very high-pitched calls, although the sound can be too high for some people to hear.
Just off the path by the river, you’ll find an old mine working to peep into. These days it’s barred with a gate to keep humans out but allow other residents in. And so it provides a safe habitat for rare greater and lesser horseshoe bats, whose numbers have seriously declined nationally in previous years.
Planning a visit from spring
We plan to reopen from Monday 15 March 2027. This is when the visitor welcome, tea-rooms, second-hand bookshop, and toilets will be open again. And in addition to the walking trails to Whitelady Waterfall and the bird hide, the Devil's Cauldron walking trail, Lyd Link and some seasonal routes, plus the orchard, will be open once more to explore.
This circular one-way route is the best way to explore the deepest part of the gorge known as the ravine. Here the river plunges and tumbles through narrow gaps and into deep potholes. During the winter closure the rangers can work on the narrow paths here and complete essential maintenance.
Brave the narrow rock-hewn steps onto the Devil's Cauldron viewing platform, which is suspended over the water in the depths of this natural pothole. In winter this section can flood and so the floor and walls of the viewing platform are lifted to allow the river and winter debris to pass without damaging it.
Take this optional two-way route through the woodland to link together the Devil's Cauldron trail and Waterfall trail. Perfect if you're visiting by bus or bike, or want a longer walk. Over winter the rangers will be completing essential maintenance on this route.
This is a great space to escape the crowds and there's plenty of space for picnics and free play. During most school holidays there is a family-friendly trail running too. Over winter the grass here is grazed by a flock of local Whiteface Dartmoor sheep to help improve the meadow habitat.
The path along the river, between Whitelady Waterfall and Pixie Glen, has suffered several significant landslips in recent years and we’ve made the tough decision to close this route.
Discover how to have a dog-friendly visit to Lydford Gorge, including where to walk, what to be aware of and what facilities are available for your four-legged friend
Discover where to eat when visiting Lydford Gorge, how to find the tea-room, what’s on the menu and what treats you’ll find in the second-hand bookshop.
At Lydford Gorge the best winter adventure is to see Whitelady Waterfall. After heavy rain it’ll be at its roaring best. Get wellies on to splash your way around some fun ’50 things’ activities.
Find out about accessibility at Lydford Gorge and how to make the most of your visit to this deep river gorge. The Tramper is not available over winter but will back to hire from Monday 15 March 2027.
At Lydford Gorge in Devon we've closed a section of the gorge walking trail, which has become unsafe due to the effects of a changing climate, to help us protect the rare temperate rainforest it contains.
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Plan a visit to one of the special countryside places in our care and discover the benefits of being in the great outdoors. Pack your walking boots and get ready to explore woodlands, valleys and rivers.
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