Elterwater to Cathedral Cave Walk

2.1 miles (3.3 km)

This walk takes you from Elterwater to the Cathedral Cavern quarries in the Lake District. It's about a 2 mile walk following a shared cycling and walking track south west from Elterwater, passing Sawrey's Wood and Little Langdale Tarn before coming to the quarries.
Walk Report November 3rd 2026 By Mark Thompson:
We parked in the main Elterwater car park beside the bridge over Langdale Beck and set off towards Cathedral Cave.... It's a lovely part of the Lake District, with the beck running alongside the village and some beautiful mountain scenery all around. The track heads south-west out of Elterwater, passing Sawrey's Wood, and it's a pleasant walk with plenty to look at along the way. I particularly enjoyed the changing views as we left the village behind and headed towards Little Langdale.
Little Langdale Tarn was another lovely spot along the way. The water sits quietly beneath the surrounding fells, making a nice place to pause and take a few photographs. It's a very different atmosphere from the busier paths around some of the larger lakes, and I liked the sense of peace here. We took our time rather than rushing towards the main attraction, as the scenery along this short route is well worth enjoying in its own right.
The real highlight, of course, was reaching the old slate workings at Cathedral Cave. From the outside, it's quite an unusual place, with the old quarry entrances tucked into the rocky landscape. Once inside, the scale of the main chamber is astonishing. The huge cavern rises around 40 feet above you, with natural openings in the rock allowing shafts of daylight to filter through. It really does resemble a cathedral, and I could understand immediately how it got its name. The contrast between the dark slate walls and the light coming through the openings makes it a fantastic place for photographs.
We spent quite a while exploring the different sections. There are several tunnels and chambers to discover, and some of the passages lead much further into the old workings than you might expect. One of the longer tunnels is particularly atmospheric, and having a torch makes exploring much easier. I found it fascinating to think about the quarrymen working underground here and the amount of slate that must have been extracted from these hills. It's a remarkable piece of industrial history, now slowly being reclaimed by nature.
I would definitely recommend taking your time inside rather than just popping in for a quick look. There are different levels and openings, and each gives you a slightly different perspective on the cavern. Some areas involve uneven ground and scrambling, though, so we were careful where we put our feet. There are also unprotected drops and deep water in the quarry, so it's important not to wander too close to the edges or attempt anything beyond your capabilities. Sturdy footwear and a torch are well worth bringing.
After exploring the quarry, we made our way back towards Elterwater, with another chance to enjoy the scenery around Little Langdale. It's hard to believe that such an extraordinary place is tucked away in this peaceful corner of the Lakes. I particularly liked the combination of the open countryside, the quiet tarn and the dramatic underground workings. It makes for a short walk with a surprisingly memorable destination.
This is a great little outing if you fancy something different from the usual Lake District fell walk. Cathedral Cave is genuinely impressive, especially if you enjoy exploring old industrial sites, and the approach through the countryside is lovely in its own right. I'd take a torch, wear decent walking shoes and allow plenty of time to explore the chambers safely. It's one of those places that stays in your memory long after you've left.