Cathedral Cavern and Hodge Close Quarry Circular Walk

2 miles (3.2 km)

This walk visits the impressive Cathedral Cave and Hodge Close Quarry in Little Langdale.
Walk Report October 16th 2026 By Emma Wilson:
We started from the small car park at Hodge Close (postcode LA21 8DJ for your satnav), where parking cost us Ł5 for the day. There aren’t many spaces, so I’d recommend arriving early, particularly at weekends.... The approach is along narrow country lanes, with high stone walls and limited passing places, so take your time driving in and avoid following directions that lead you towards private properties. We were glad to get parked and stretch our legs, as the views around Hodge Close are spectacular. The old slate quarries, steep rock faces and pools of dark water give the landscape a rather unusual feel, quite different from the rolling green hills you might expect in the Lake District.
From the start, we could see several of the surrounding fells, including Bowfell and the Pike of Blisco. We spent a little time looking around the quarry area before following the paths north-west towards Cathedral Cavern. The route is only around two miles, but I wouldn’t rush it. The ground is uneven and stony in places, and there are some short climbs along the way. It’s not a difficult hike in terms of distance, although sturdy footwear makes a difference, especially after rain when the paths and rocks can become slippery.
The approach to Cathedral Cavern is part of the adventure. We followed the path between the old quarries and woodland, passing abandoned workings that hint at the area's slate-mining past. It’s worth paying attention to the route markings, as the various tracks and quarry entrances can be confusing if you’re unfamiliar with the area. Mobile signal can also be unreliable, so I’d recommend having the route available offline rather than depending entirely on your phone for navigation.
Nothing quite prepares you for the first view inside Cathedral Cavern. We entered through a dark tunnel, and then suddenly emerged into the enormous main chamber, known as the Cathedral. The space is astonishing, with towering slate walls, a huge central pillar of rock and daylight pouring through openings high above. It feels almost like stepping into an underground cathedral, and we stood there for a while simply taking in the scale of it. The cavern was well worth the walk, and I could understand why so many visitors describe it as one of the area's hidden gems.
We explored the main chamber and looked into some of the other passages, taking care where the ground became rough or the tunnels darker. Bring a torch if you want to explore beyond the naturally lit areas, and don't assume every passage is safe to enter. Some tunnels are very dark, and the old quarry has deep water, steep drops and exposed rock faces without protective barriers. We stayed on the safer routes rather than attempting the steeper climbs around the upper levels. Although the main chamber is accessible for many walkers, the surrounding quarry terrain is more challenging than an ordinary woodland stroll, particularly in wet weather.
There was plenty more to discover outside the main cavern, with different openings in the rock revealing unusual views across the quarry. In brighter weather, sunlight coming through the roof can create a particularly dramatic effect inside. We also noticed how quiet it felt away from the entrance, despite the site's popularity. It would be a lovely place to stop for a picnic, provided you choose a safe spot well away from the quarry edges and leave the rocks and surroundings as you found them.
After exploring the cavern, we continued along the route beside the River Brathay, passing Pierce How and Stang End before turning south through the woodland near Sepulchre Wood and Wyth Bank Coppice. This gave us a welcome change of scenery after the dramatic quarry landscape, with trees, quieter paths and views back towards the surrounding fells. Some sections were rough underfoot, but the short distance meant we could take our time and enjoy the surroundings without feeling we had a long way still to go.
Back at the car park, we agreed that Cathedral Cavern had been the highlight. The combination of the old slate workings, the enormous chamber and the surrounding Lakeland scenery makes this a memorable little outing. Allow a couple of hours for the walk, exploring the cavern and taking photographs, and remember that the Ł5 parking charge we paid may change. It’s a relatively short route, but one that rewards a little care and curiosity, especially if you enjoy unusual landscapes and exploring places with a fascinating industrial past.