Lydford Gorge Waterfall trail

Devon

The lower section of Whitelady Waterfall can be seen falling in a white cascade down into a rock strewn river with autumn leaves all around. — Whitelady Waterfall cascades into a rock-strewn river filling up with golden-brown fallen leaves. | © National Trust/Mel Peters

Head into Lydford Gorge to find the 30-metre high Whitelady Waterfall on this steep but rewarding circular walk. Feel history under your feet, from Devonian fossils to the visitors in search of the picturesque since Victorian times. Your return is through ancient woodland full of wildlife.

Near to

Lydford Gorge

Start point

Waterfall entrance, Lydford Gorge, grid ref: SX501831

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Reduced opening in winter

During winter all facilities, including the toilets, are closed. The Devil’s Cauldron trail and seasonal trails are also closed for safety and essential maintenance. This can include tree work, path work and rock face inspections, so please do not pass any locked gates.

Address
Waterfall entrance, Lydford Gorge, Devon, EX20 4BL
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Directions via Google Maps
On foot
Via Blackdown Moor from Mary Tavy or as road directions. (Please note that the road from Lydford village to the Waterfall entrance is narrow with no footpath, so please do avoid walking this if you can)
By bus
Services between Okehampton (including train station) and Tavistock stop at both entrances to Lydford Gorge. Stagecoach 118. Alight at Lydford Gorge lower entrance for Waterfall entrance.
Traveline South West
Cycling
National Cycle Network Route 27. Approximately 10 miles from Okehampton and 7 miles from Tavistock. This route has some traffic-free sections and some road sections.
Cycle route information
By train
Okehampton, 10 miles
The Dartmoor Line
By road
From Exeter and Okehampton. Follow brown signs to exit the A30 at Sourton Down and take A386 towards Tavistock, turn off onto unnamed road for Lydford village. Drive past the Devil's Cauldron entrance, on your right just after leaving the village, and the Waterfall entrance is one mile further on.
From Tavistock. Either take the A386 and follow brown signs to turn off onto unnamed road for Lydford village and reach the Devil's Cauldron entrance first. Or head out of Tavistock on Drake Road past Brentor and and reach the Waterfall entrance first.
Satnav: Use postcode EX20 4BL (Please be aware that some mobile devices do not take you to Lydford Gorge when selected, please use the post code)
Dogs
Dogs welcome, please keep them on a short lead at all times, and out of the river
Car park
Free parking. No overnight parking allowed. Limited spaces for long vehicles and not suitable for caravans
Toilet
On the rear of the building in the Waterfall car park
Cycle parking
Outside and to the right of visitor welcome
Tea-room
Waterfall tea-room, a takeaway offer including hot and cold drinks, snacks, and bakes
This is a step free route to Whitelady Waterfall but it has steep slopes and uneven path surfaces which can be slippery even when dry.
Click here for the full accessibility guide for Lydford Gorge - AccessAble.co.uk
Designated parking
Three accessible parking spaces
Accessible toilet
Partly accessible toilet on the rear of the building in the Waterfall car park
Seating available
There are some benches on the route, but they are well spaced
Steps/uneven terrain
Powered mobility vehicle
Tramper available to hire March to October; please book in advance, lydfordgorge@nationaltrust.org.uk, or call 01822 820320 and leave a message. If you'd like to visit with your own mobility vehicle, or for any other access questions, please get in touch
Total stages: 6
Total stages: 6
Start point
Waterfall entrance, Lydford Gorge, grid ref: SX501831
Stage 1
From visitor welcome, head through the small wooden gate at the end of the gravel picnic area, follow the path down round a sharp right-hand bend then at the junction keep left to go under the old railway bridge.
Stage 2
Continue on the path that bends to the left, go past the small gate on the right.
Exposed limestone on the paths is part of the Liddaton Formation | © National Trust/Mel Peters
Stage 3
Continue down hill, ignore a small path that heads off on the left. When you get to a junction turn right and continue along this path, with the river on your left, until you reach the base of Whitelady Waterfall. Please be careful on the exposed rocks at the base of the waterfall as they can be slippery.
Stage 4
After admiring the waterfall, and possibly playing a game of Pooh sticks on the suspension bridge, it’s time to head back out of the gorge. Walk back the way you came, with the river on your right this time, until you reach the junction again.
Stage 5
Take the right-hand path and follow it uphill as it winds through the woodland. Ignore a narrow path that goes off on the left at a corner. At the top of the hill you'll join the railway path. Turn right here to visit the bird hide a short way along the path.
Stage 6
Turn left, at the junction or after exiting the bird hide, and follow the railway path to the junction, then head back up the small slope you came down at the start of the walk to finish.
End point
Waterfall entrance, Lydford Gorge, grid ref: SX501831
Trail map
Map of the Lydford Gorge Waterfall trail | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 ordinance survey
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Devil's Cauldron Trail

The Devil’s Cauldron trail is closed for safety and essential maintenance work over winter. We look forward to welcoming you back from Saturday 14 March 2026.