**Exploring Lydford Gorge: A Rainy Autumn Adventure**

A misty autumn sisterly hike through Lydford Gorge offered a magical escape into Dartmoor’s temperate rainforest

On a drizzly and damp day in mid October, my sister and I decided to head out for a sisterly hike around Lydford Gorge on Dartmoor which is managed by the National Trust. It had been over a decade since I had last visited the site so I was looking forward to going again. With parts of the site set to close for winter and the damp weather keeping crowds at bay, we practically had the gorge to ourselves so despite the weather, it was a really good time to visit.

Map of Lydford Gorge

Map of Lydford Gorge. Source: Google Maps

Lydford Gorge is a spectacular, steep-sided gorge carved by the River Lyd, with two main trails to explore. The first is a well-maintained 2.8km route that winds beneath an old railway bridge before descending to the breathtaking Whitelady Waterfall, a towering 30m waterfall framed by lush, mossy rock faces. A suspension bridge offers a nice vantage point, making the effort of the descent well worth it. Along the way, there's a peaceful bird hide for those keen on spotting woodland wildlife.

The 30m Whitelady Waterfall

The second, more rugged 1.28km trail leads to Devil’s Cauldron, a deep and dramatic pothole where churning white water crashes against towering rock walls. The narrow path is lined with steep steps and sheer drops, making it an exhilarating (if slightly nerve-wracking) route. At times, the roar of the water was so powerful that we had to raise our voices to hear each other!

The Devils Cauldron

The gorge itself is a temperate rainforest, bursting with ancient trees, moss-draped boulders, and delicate ferns. It truly felt like stepping into another world, especially as we made our way toward the Devil’s Cauldron, where the mist and swirling water created an almost otherworldly atmosphere. Lydford Gorge is also a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), recognised for its rare flora, fauna, and geology. It’s a haven for nature lovers and, with the exception of the Devil’s Cauldron platform, is dog-friendly too!

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An Unexpected Detour

We started our walk with the waterfall trail, reaching the base fairly quickly. In the past, visitors could continue along the gorge toward the Devil’s Cauldron, but recent storm damage had closed that section. Instead, we took a break, enjoying our lunch with a view of the rushing water, and noticed a carved tree stump embedded with lucky coins - one of those curious traditions that add an air of mystery to places like this.

With no direct path between the two trails, we hopped back in the car for a quick five-minute drive to the second entrance. From there, we followed the path down to the Devil’s Cauldron and Tuckers Pool, a secluded pool at the end of a short detour. The trail here is a dead-end, so we retraced our steps but it was well worth the extra distance to extend the hike. Some sections of the Devil’s Cauldron trail are now permanently closed to protect rare lichens growing on the trees, a reminder of how delicate and special this place truly is.

A Well-Earned Treat

No National Trust adventure is complete without a stop at the tea-room of course, and we wrapped up our hike in the Devils Cauldron tea-room with a refreshing cold drink of Luscombe Rhubarb Crush. Delicious and exactly what we needed after our walk.

Lydford Gorge was every bit as magical as I remembered and I hope it won’t be another ten years before I return.