Things to see and do at Lydford Gorge

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

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.

The Lydford Gorge walking trails

Take in the might of the Devil's Cauldron

A short way off the circular Devil's Cauldron trail you enter a dark ravine surrounded by dripping rock faces covered in mosses and ferns. Brave the narrow rock-hewn steps which take you onto a platform suspended over the water. Here the river seems to boil and it's this action and the tremendous force of the water that created this giant pothole over the centuries.

Visit the Whitelady Waterfall

This 30-metre high cascade is a spectacular sight and makes for a great photo opportunity. It formed when the River Lyd captured the headwaters of the River Burn, the Lyd’s greater strength meant that it could erode the bottom of the gorge faster than the River Burn, resulting in the huge difference in height you see today.

Stop off at the bird hide

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 visiting the feeding station.

Explore the orchard

The meadow area here is a great space to escape the crowds. There are mown grass paths to wander along and the orchard is full of blossom during spring, insects in summer, and autumn colour as the season turns.

Add in the Lyd link path

Take this optional two-way route through the woodland at Lydford Gorge 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. It's 1.3 miles and takes around 45 minutes one way with several long flights of steps and some narrow paths.

What's different?

At Lydford Gorge we've closed a section of the river path on the gorge walking trail, which has become unsafe to open, while we assess the effects of a changing climate on the rare temperate rainforest it contains.

Path changes 2024

Visitors standing on the new railway inspired bridge at Pixie Glen bridge in Lydford Gorge, Devon — Visitors on the new bridge at Pixie Glen in Lydford Gorge, Devon | © National Trust Images/Mel Peters

No swimming at Lydford Gorge

We ask visitors not to swim, however tempting, as it's not safe. If something were to go wrong the area is very inaccessible. Please avoid disturbing the wildlife and special habitats of the gorge and don't go in.

Explore 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. Rainforests in the UK are part of the Coastal Temperate Rainforest biome, a globally rare habitat that covers less than 1% of the planet.

The high humidity and low temperature range create the perfect conditions for moisture-loving lichens and bryophytes (mosses and liverworts). A good example of this habitat could contain over 200 different species of bryophytes and 100-200 species of lichen. These lichens and bryophytes are the base of a rich and diverse ecosystem. A wide range of plants love to grow here which in turn support 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. In Devon there are many small fragments of temperate rainforest, which is why it’s so important to continue to look after them for the future.

Look out for chalkboards on the trails to learn more about what makes a temperate rainforest, and get involved with the simple nature activities.

Autumn colour

As the leaves turn from green to brown the gorge is filled with golden light. At the end of October most of the gorge trails are shut for safety and maintenance work over winter, so now is the time to explore the Devil's Cauldron.

When the conditions are just right, wet but mild, many different fungi can pop up overnight in the woods. Look out for the beefsteak fungus which is usually found close to the ground and is deep red on top. When the fungus is cut open it leaks a red, blood-like liquid and its resemblance to a raw steak gives it its name.

A more appealing fungi to look out for is the chanterelle, usually a creamy-yellow colour and the shape of an umbrella blown inside out by the wind. This is an edible fungi however it is not advisable to eat any wild mushroom unless it has been identified by an expert, and foraging is not allowed in the gorge due to its status as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

Another fungi commonly found in oak woodland is the Deathcap, which is highly poisonous and looks similar to the Cep or Penny Bun, another edible mushroom that likes oak woodlands.

Autumnal scenery at Lydford Gorge, Devon with view of bridge over the river and a bench under the trees. — Autumn scene at Lydford Gorge, Devon | © National Trust Images/Mel Peters

Spot wildlife

Autumn is a great time to look out for fish swimming in the river. On a dry day choose a high point next to the river and look into the water somewhere the sun is not reflecting off the surface. The fish you're most likely to spot is the brown trout. There are usually smaller fish fliting about in the shallows, but there can be much larger fish swimming lazily against the current in the deeper pools.

In autumn you might get lucky and spot a Jay or hear their screaming call. They are shy and rarely move far from cover, but you may see them burying acorns, which they can retrieve later in the winter when food is scarce.

Reduced opening in winter

Every winter we close for safety and essential maintenance work. From Monday 4 November 2024 only the waterfall trail and railway path will be open for walks, all other facilities, including the toilets, will be closed until we reopen in spring 2025.