Little Langdale - Cathedral Cave - Hodge Close - Little Langdale

Joe Jackson

You need to log in as a member of Walkingworld to access the details for this walk and have an active subscription. Please join, or log in above if you are already a member.

Little Langdale is a stunning valley at the base of Wrynose Pass between Coniston and Ambleside. The valley is very sparsely populated with just a handful of houses and a single pub in the village centre. The village has very little parking, with enough room for several cars near the pub and a few more just down the road in the direction of Ambleside.

The route begins by following part of a quiet country lane and joins a path signposted to Slater Bridge. After crossing grazing pasture the path overlooks the stunning 17th Century Slater Bridge and the nearby Little Langdale Tarn, backed by dozens of dramatic crags and fells.

The path turns right after crossing the bridge to ascend to the dramatic cavern known as Cathedral Cave. The caves are owned and managed by the National Trust but explorers enter at their own risk due to potential for falling rock, but exploration of highly recommended. The long tunnel leads to a dramatic cavern, pool and central pillar and one of the most famous mines in the Lake District.

The return to Little Langdale Village takes in one more feature, Hodge Close Quarry. The quarry workings are extensive with vast drops down to flooded levels. The quarry is popular with rock-climbing groups and well worth a little exploration before the return journey.

England - North England - Cumbria - Lake District - South East