Things to see and do at Lydford Gorge

Lydford Gorge in autumn with suspension bridge over the river, Devon — Lydford Gorge, Devon, in autumn | © National Trust Images/Dianne Giles

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.

Winter opening

From Monday 3 November 2025 only the trails to Whitelady Waterfall and the bird hide are open. The Devil's Cauldron trail and seasonal trails are shut every winter 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. We plan to reopen from Saturday 14 March 2026.

Winter highlights at Lydford Gorge

This 30-metre-high cascade is a spectacular sight and makes for a great photo opportunity and it can eb 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.

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.

A view of Whitelady Waterfall from the suspension bridge, surrounded by trees at Lydford Gorge — Whitelady Waterfall at Lydford Gorge | © National Trust Images/Dianne Giles

Winter wildlife

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. 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 Saturday 14 March 2026. 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, some seasonal routes, and the orchard will be open once more to explore.

Family with two children walking their dog on a lead up some of the narrow steps at Lydford Gorge, Devon — Family walking their dog on a lead in the depths of Lydford Gorge | © National Trust/Dianne Giles

Hike the Devil's Cauldron trail

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.

Visitors taking photos with mobile phones on the viewing platform of the Devil's Cauldron at Lydford Gorge, Devon — Capture the drama of the Devil's Cauldron at Lydford Gorge | © National Trust Images/John Millar

View the Devil's Cauldron

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.

Visitors walking through a lush green woodland, the trees disappear down a steep slope to the right and the winding path has steep steps. — Walking the Lyd Link Path at Lydford Gorge, Devon. A two-way route through the woodland, linking the Devil's Cauldron trail and Waterfall trail. | © National Trust Images/Sophie Bolesworth

Add on the Lyd link path

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.

A man and two children build a den amid trees at Lydford Gorge, Devon, making a conical shape with long branches — A family build a den in the orchard meadow at Lydford Gorge, Devon. | © National Trust Images/John Millar

Fun in the orchard

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.