ABOUT THE WALK

The route starts from the car park heading down the road and through the farm, you take the path straight ahead and not too the left ( this path also makes a circular walk through quarry ruins and worth  adding).

You now walk through the forest on good paths, the route here is easy to follow, with a couple of smaller caves along the route.

You follow the path past a small cottage and come to a path on the left up the hill to the cave, you can continue round to the river and  bridge first as this makes a good picnic spot, continue on the path  take another path until you come to a gate and stile on your left, cross the stile and head up hill to the opening of cathedral cave.

The cave is fantastic, we have organised a few walks with other families here and sat and had lunch inside, care is needed as there is a large pond inside.

At the back on the cave below the opening is a tunnel, its best to take torches, the tunnel is long but has some lighting through it, if you go through here the path is a little rough with some scrambles, you go above the cave, which has amazing views.

You pick up a rough/muddy path down to the original path and turn right to the junction with the path you came on and a path adjacent to it going to the left, this path leads you too Hodge close quarry.

You can actually get to the bottom of the quarry via a steep climb down some steps, this is worth the trip down if the kids are older.

After the quarry you retrace your steps back a to a gate on the left, this takes you through the quarry works and back to the forest at the beginning.

Best to take a map as there are various trails to go and explore.

This is one of our favourite adventure walks, it has everything to keep the kids from getting bored.

DONT FORGET THE TORCHES

THE CAVERN

The Cathedral quarries are a small network of inter-linked quarries above Coniston and little langdale The area is best known for its main chamber, which still stands forty feet in height, and is lit by two windows off the main quarry. They are frequently referred to as Cathedral “Cave”.

There are various tunnels to explore, which will require lighting, as one is about 400 feet long.