Yordas Cave
Discover Yordas Cave, a magical limestone cavern in the Yorkshire Dales featuring a breathtaking underground waterfall and ancient formations.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Avoids flooding risks
Yordas Cave
Best Time
Avoids flooding risks
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Discover Yordas Cave, a magical limestone cavern in the Yorkshire Dales featuring a breathtaking underground waterfall and ancient formations.
"A stunning, remote, and exciting hidden gem with a magical underground waterfall."
🔦 Bring Powerful Torches
Phone lights are insufficient. Strong torches or headlamps are crucial for navigating the dark cave and seeing the waterfall.
🥾 Waterproof Boots Essential
The cave floor is often wet with flowing water. Waterproof footwear will keep your feet dry and provide better grip.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
The Underground Waterfall
Deep within the cave
A stunning 15-20 meter high waterfall cascades into a clear pool, hidden in a tall chamber. It's a magical sight, especially with good lighting.
Stalactites and Flowstone
Cave walls
Marvel at the natural formations adorning the cave walls, showcasing the slow artistry of water and rock over millennia.
The 'Wild Cave' Exploration
Beyond the main cavern
For the more adventurous, explore deeper shafts and quirky holes, but always with caution and proper safety gear.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Prepare for Darkness and Damp
Respect the Landowner
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🔦 Bring Powerful Torches
Phone lights are insufficient. Strong torches or headlamps are crucial for navigating the dark cave and seeing the waterfall.
🥾 Waterproof Boots Essential
The cave floor is often wet with flowing water. Waterproof footwear will keep your feet dry and provide better grip.
🧥 Pack Extra Layers
It's significantly cooler inside the cave than outside. Bring a jacket or extra layers to stay comfortable.
⚠️ Check Weather Forecast
Yordas Cave can flood rapidly after heavy rain. Never enter during or immediately after wet weather.
Tips
from all over the internet
🔦 Bring Powerful Torches
Phone lights are insufficient. Strong torches or headlamps are crucial for navigating the dark cave and seeing the waterfall.
🥾 Waterproof Boots Essential
The cave floor is often wet with flowing water. Waterproof footwear will keep your feet dry and provide better grip.
🧥 Pack Extra Layers
It's significantly cooler inside the cave than outside. Bring a jacket or extra layers to stay comfortable.
⚠️ Check Weather Forecast
Yordas Cave can flood rapidly after heavy rain. Never enter during or immediately after wet weather.
🚗 Park Respectfully
Park in lay-bys near the cave entrance. There are no official signs, so be mindful of the local landscape.
🤫 Respect Private Land
The cave is on private property. Leave no trace and be considerate of the landowner's wishes.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors rave about Yordas Cave as a stunning, remote, and exciting hidden gem. The underground waterfall and natural formations are highlights, offering a magical experience. While free and easily accessible, the cave's darkness and potential for flooding require careful preparation with torches and waterproof gear.
"Stunning, remote and exciting.
Take torches and headlights, it's very dark inside once you follow the short path down to the cave floor.
Follow this googlemapsmmarker. Park up on the side of the road, there are no signs, just a wooden gate. Go through that and then up the right hand track to another gate, the cave is through there, no more than 100m from the road.
The cave opens out to a large cavern with stalactites and flowstone on its walls. The floor is mostly large pebbles with flowing water between them. It's all solid and safe underfoot, but you're shoes might get wet.
With good torches and a helping hand on the large pebbles, you can follow the sound of falling water to the right hand side. Hidden behind a stone pillar is an opening, through it you are looking at a 15 or 20m high waterfall. It crashes down from high up in tall chamber into a clear pool. It's absolutely stunning and magical, but hidden in the darkness if you don't have light. Careful how you go, there's no sign how deep the water pool gets in the tall chamber."
David
"Great for beginners - bring a hard hat, a coat, a torch, and suitable walking shoes!
We also ventured up the crevice and found one of the shafts which drops straight down (fenced off) and a few other quirky holes."
Harry Carr
"Free to access. Roadside parking nearby. Easy to navigate. It is worth bring a torch or two. It is also much cooler inside ave than out so bring a few layers.
Plenty to explore outside the cave too and several flat spaces for a picnic.
Well worth a trip."
Rhys Evans
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Yordas Cave is located in Kingsdale, Yorkshire Dales. You can type 'Yordas Cave' into Google Maps, or use the grid reference SD 70546 79106. It's often described as being just 100 meters off the road, with parking available in lay-bys.
Yes, there are lay-bys along the road near the cave entrance where you can park. Be mindful of the surroundings and avoid blocking any access.
The walk from the roadside parking to the cave entrance is short and straightforward, typically no more than 100 meters. It involves going through a wooden gate and following a track.
Public transport options to the immediate vicinity of Yordas Cave are limited. It's best accessed by car, allowing for flexibility in exploring the Yorkshire Dales.
Absolutely! Yordas Cave makes for an excellent addition to a day trip in the Yorkshire Dales, especially when combined with nearby attractions like the Ingleton Waterfalls Trail.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
No, Yordas Cave is free to access. There is no ticket booth or official signage, as it's a natural cave on private land.
Yordas Cave does not have set opening hours as it is a natural cave. However, it is crucial to only visit during safe weather conditions, avoiding times of heavy rain or potential flooding.
There is no entrance fee for Yordas Cave. It is a free natural attraction, but visitors are expected to be respectful of the environment and private land.
While there are no official hours, it is strongly advised to only visit Yordas Cave when the weather is dry and safe. The cave can flood quickly and without warning, making it dangerous to enter during or after rain.
Yordas Cave was once a Victorian show cave, meaning it was developed for public viewing. While it's no longer maintained as such, remnants of its past can still be explored.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
Wear sturdy, waterproof walking boots as the cave floor is often wet and pebbly. Bring a warm, waterproof jacket as it's cooler inside.
A strong torch or headlamp is essential due to the darkness. Some visitors also recommend a hard hat for added protection.
For beginners, it's recommended to visit with a strong torch and suitable footwear. The main cavern is generally safe, but caution is advised when exploring further.
The cave floor is mostly large pebbles with flowing water. It's solid underfoot, but can be slippery and wet.
Yes, there are opportunities to explore shafts and other holes, but this is for experienced cavers or those with appropriate safety gear and knowledge.
📸 📸 Photography
The underground waterfall is a prime subject, as are the stalactites and flowstone formations. Capturing the dramatic contrast between the dark cave and your light sources can create striking images.
A camera with good low-light performance and a wide-angle lens would be beneficial. A tripod can help with longer exposures, especially for capturing the waterfall. Don't forget extra batteries!
The darkness and wet conditions can make photography challenging. Ensure your equipment is protected from moisture and use your powerful torch to illuminate your subjects.
While you can take photos with your phone, the lack of light will significantly impact image quality. A dedicated camera with a strong torch for illumination will yield much better results.
There are no official restrictions on photography, but always be mindful of other visitors and the natural environment. Ensure your photography activities do not disturb the cave's delicate formations.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
It's crucial to check the weather meticulously before visiting, as flash floods are a serious risk. If the weather is uncertain, it's best to postpone the visit. Consider bringing a picnic to enjoy in the scenic surroundings outside the cave, making it a full day's outing.
🚶♀️ Solo Adventurers
📸 Photography Enthusiasts
+1To capture the best shots, bring high-quality torches to illuminate your subjects and a camera with good low-light capabilities. A tripod can be beneficial for longer exposures, especially for the waterfall. Be prepared for damp conditions and protect your gear accordingly.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The Geology and History of Yordas Cave
Historically, it was known as a Victorian show cave, meaning it was once a tourist attraction developed for public viewing. This suggests that efforts were made to make it accessible, though it has since returned to its natural state. The cave features impressive stalactites and flowstone formations, testament to the slow drip of mineral-rich water. The main cavern opens up to reveal these natural sculptures, creating an otherworldly atmosphere. The presence of an underground waterfall adds to its dramatic allure, making it a unique geological site within the Yorkshire Dales.
Explorers can also find shafts and other smaller passages, hinting at a more extensive cave system. While the main cave is relatively accessible, venturing into the 'wild cave' areas requires significant caution and appropriate caving equipment. The cave's potential for rapid flooding also underscores its wild and untamed nature.
Safety and Responsible Exploration
Essential equipment includes powerful torches or headlamps; phone lights are insufficient for navigating the deep darkness. Waterproof walking boots are a must due to the wet and often slippery terrain. Bringing extra layers of clothing is also advisable, as the cave's temperature is consistently cooler than the outside environment.
While the cave is free to enter, it is situated on private land. Visitors are urged to be respectful of the landowner and the natural environment. This means leaving no trace, sticking to paths where possible, and ensuring the site remains pristine for future visitors.
For those considering deeper exploration, understanding the risks and having appropriate caving knowledge and gear is paramount. 
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