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're putting a pause on the river section of 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

A visitor with a dog admiring the view of the water from the suspension bridge, surrounding by trees in sunny weather at Lydford Gorge, Devon — Admiring the view from the suspension bridge at Lydford Gorge, Devon | © National Trust Images/Hilary Daniel

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 some say is more threatened than tropical rainforest.

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.

A winged insect with iridescent green-blue body and wings, perches on a bright green leaf — A male beautiful demoiselle damselfly | © National Trust Images/Phil Bruss

Spot wildlife

Summer is the best time of year to look for butterflies, dragonflies, and damselflies.

In the orchard meadow keep your eyes peeled for chimney sweeper moths, which are day-flying and all black with just small white tips to the wings. Or perhaps you might spot a keeled skimmer dragonfly zipping about between the long grass.

In the woodland you'll find it hard to miss a speckled wood. These common butterflies feed on honeydew produced by aphids in the tree tops, and are rarely seen feeding on flowers.

Along the riverbank take a moment to delight in the beautiful demoiselle damselflies as they flit around. The males are a brilliant metallic blue and easy to spot. The females have golden wings and a shiny green body so can be harder to see.