The deepest river gorge in the South West, with 30m high waterfall
Here you can find everything you need to know about what's open and what to expect from your visit to Lydford Gorge.
This steep-sided river gorge, carved into the western edge of Dartmoor, has been drawing visitors in search of the picturesque waterfall since Victorian times. Around every corner the River Lyd plunges, tumbles, swirls and gently meanders as it travels though ancient oak woodland, abundant with wildlife.
Hiking through the gorge is a challenging and rewarding adventure, be prepared for strenuous climbs and rugged ground - sturdy footwear is essential. There are a range of walking trails to choose from. The Waterfall trail is a moderate circular walk of about an hour. The River trail takes around two hours to complete and is a challenging circular walk with narrow slippery paths and steep drops. This trail operates on a one-way system due to the nature of the paths. On this route you can see Whitelady Waterfall and Tunnel Falls. The Devil’s Cauldron trail is closed for extended repair.
The gorge is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) for its geology, flora and fauna. Please respect the habitats in the gorge by taking only photographs and leaving only footprints.
There is parking available at both entrances for a limited number of bikes, suitable for most bike locks.
| Gift Aid | Standard | |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | £8.80 | £8.00 |
| Child | £4.40 | £4.00 |
| Family | £22.00 | £20.00 |
| Family, one adult | £13.20 | £12.00 |
Most of our places run the Gift Aid on Entry scheme at their admission points.
Under this scheme, if you're not a member you have the choice of two entry tickets:
If the place runs Gift Aid on Entry, we'll offer you a clear choice between the Gift Aid Admission prices and the Standard Admission prices at the admission point. It's entirely up to you which ticket you choose.
Gift Aid Admission includes a 10 per cent or more voluntary donation. Gift Aid Admissions let us reclaim tax on the whole amount paid - an extra 25 per cent - potentially a very significant boost to our places' funds.
An extra £1 paid under the scheme can be worth over £3 to the National Trust as shown below:
| Gift Aid | Standard | |
|---|---|---|
| Amount paid by visitor | £11.00 | £10.00 |
| Tax refund from Government* | £2.75 | £0.00 |
| Total received by the National Trust | £13.75 | £10.00 |
*Gift Aid Admissions let us reclaim tax on the whole amount paid - an extra 25 per cent - potentially a very significant boost to our places' funds.
Free entry for National Trust members
We may occasionally need to close Lydford Gorge due to adverse weather so please check the website for up to date information before travelling.
