Lydford Gorge and waterfalls

mMonday 4 May 2015

Another short walk, though this one is over more demanding terrain, as the paths climb and descend steeply on occasions, and can be slippery if at all wet.

Another National Trust property, and there is a one-way walking system - not a bad idea considering how narrow some of the paths are.  We started at the main entrance (near Devil's Cauldron) and followed the high level path through spring-green woodland, with the river Lyd far below on our right.

Once again the quantity and variety of wild flowers was astonishing, wild garlic, bluebells, wood anemones, wood sorrel, wild strawberry flowers and more. Ferns, tongue ferns, mosses grew on the steep rocky sides of the gorge, and on tree trunks.

There was plenty of birdsong, and we heard what sounded like a raven, and saw a jay as we walked. 

After a mile or so we came out to the other car park, close to the waterfall. Just in time for the tea shop to open and provide us with our mid-morning coffee. We looked forward to a more gentle stroll back alongside the river.  Beautiful it certainly was, but not gentle.

At first a steep descent, down steps to the Whitelady waterfall, which falls 100 feet rather like a white veil. 

Then a fairly rugged walk beside the river Lyd, which narrows to the Tunnel Falls section, where it has carved a way between rocks to form whirlpools and torrents. This reminded me of the Strid where the Wharfe narrows near Bolton Abbey in Yorkshire. For most of the way there is a handrail, particularly useful when the rocks underfoot are wet.

Beyond these falls, the river turns into a peaceful woodland stream until it reaches the Devil's Cauldron - another impressive narrow section.

Then a gentler walk to extend the gorge walk leads to a tranquil pool, where we watched a pair of grey wagtails flittling about catching insects.