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Hodge Close to Cathedral Quarry

Lake District

A huge cavern supported by one large rock pillar with a cave opening, Cathedral Quarry, Cumbria — Inside Cathedral Cave at Little Langdale, Cumbria | © National Trust Images/ Chee Wai Lee

A scenic walk to Little Langdale and Cathedral Quarry with views over the valley and fells

Near to

Tarn Hows and Coniston

Start point

Hodge Close National Trust car park, Coniston. Grid reference: 31570167 what3words location: passage.hooked.rebounder

what3words

///passage.hooked.rebounder

Trail information

Difficulty*

Full trail

DistanceMiles: 1.4 (km: 2.24)

Duration1 hour

Dog friendly

*The route is on man made paths comprised of loose gravel. There are some gradual uphill and downhill slopes but little elevation gain. The steepest section is the access point into Cathedral Quarry. Paths can become flooded during periods of heavy rainfall.

Rockfalls, sheer drops and deep water

As a disused quarry the site has unprotected sheer drops, deep water and there is a chance of rockfall, so if you choose to visit, please come prepared.

Address
Hodge Close National Trust car park, Coniston. Grid reference: NY 31570167 what3words location: passage.hooked.rebounder
what3words: ///passage.hooked.rebounder
Directions via Google Maps
By bus
Take the from 505 from Kendal to Coniston via Ambleside and Hawkshead. Take the 517 from Ambleside to Little Langdale. This is a seasonal service running on weekends in July and August.
By train
Windermere Station 12 miles (19km) where you can connect with the 505 bus service
By road
From the M6 south, J36 then take the A590 towards Barrow. At Greenodd, take the A5092 then the A5084 for Torver/Consiton. From Coniston, take the A593 towards Langdale/Ambleside and stay on the road for 1.5 miles. Take the single track road on the left signposted Hodge Close and follow this track for 1.5 miles until you reach a parking area on the left. From M6 north, J40, take the A66 then the A592 until you reach Troutbeck Bridge. Take the A591 towards Ambleside, then the A593 towards Coniston. Just after the turning for Yew Tree Farm, take the single track road on the left signposted Hodge Close and follow the single track road for 1.5 miles until you reach a parking area on the left.
Total stages: 10
Total stages: 10
Start point
Hodge Close National Trust car park, Coniston. Grid reference: 31570167 what3words location: passage.hooked.rebounder
Stage 1
From the car park, continue along the road beyond the large boulder displaying the sign, 'No parking or turning beyond this point'
The start of the Hodge Close to Cathedral Quarry trail, Hodge Close, Cumbria | © National Trust/Lucy Baird
Stage 2
Continue on the road passing a series of small holiday cottages. After the cottages, the road becomes a bridleway
At step 2, the road becomes a bridleway, Hodge Close, Cumbria | © National Trust/Lucy Baird
Stage 3
At a junction, stay on the bridleway until you reach a wooden gate.
Bridleway junction at step 3, Hodge Close, Cumbria | © National Trust/Lucy Baird
Stage 4
Go through the gate and take the path on the left, following the wall line
Path following the wall line from step 4, Hodge Close, Cumbria | © National Trust/Lucy Baird
Stage 5
Go through the wooden gate and follow the path uphill and round the corner
Footpath and field boundary at step 5, Hodge Close, Cumbria | © National Trust/Lucy Baird
Stage 6
Go through the wooden gate and continue straight on the footpath
Footpath with field boundary at step 6, Hodge Close, Cumbria | © National Trust/Lucy Baird
Stage 7
At the junction with the road, walk around to the left as directed by the waymarker signposting Cathedral Quarry
Waymarker at Stang End, step 7, Little Langdale, Cumbria | © National Trust/Lucy Baird
Stage 8
At the junction, continue straight passing a sign for Tilberthwaite, ignoring the other footpaths until you reach a ford and a stone bridge
Footpath continues alongside the river and stone bridge, Tilberthwaite, Cumbria | © National Trust/ Lucy Baird
Stage 9
Do not cross the bridge but remain on the footpath for another 110yd (100m) until you reach the entrance to Cathedral Quarry on your left.
Access point into Cathedral Quarry, Cathedral Quarry, Cumbria | © National Trust/ Lucy Baird
Stage 10
Go through the wooden gate and take the short climb up the footpath to the information panel at the top. On the right of the information panel is a long tunnel which takes you directly into the cave.
Information panel mounted in a wooden frame, Cathedral Quarry, Cumbria | © National Trust/ Lucy Baird
End point
Cathedral Quarry, Little Langdale, Cumbria
Trail map
Hodge Close to Cathedral Quarry route, Hodge Close, Cumbria | © National Trust/Lucy Baird
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