gaping gill tour

• Visit Gaping Gill

Gaping Gill Winch Meet 9th to 16th August 2024 - Friday to Friday

Please note that the winch will not be operating over the bank holiday weekend.

Although we did not run the winch meet in 2020 and 2021, we plan to run a full meet with public access in 2022 from 12th to 19th August

The extensive system of caves 100 metres under this moorland are only accessible to cavers except for a week in May (with Bradford Pothole Club ) and a week in August (with Craven Pothole Club) when these caves are made accessible by a winch. During the CPC Winch meet other entrances will be rigged with rope and visiting cavers are invited to use these.

Opening Times

Weather permitting, the winch will operate for descents by members of the public from 9.00am each weekday (8.00am at weekends). If we have to close the winch for any reason, our Twitter and Facebook pages will give notice. A sign will also be displayed at Ingleborough Cave.

The winch has a fixed capacity of approx. twenty descents/ascents per hour, which can result in extended waiting times during busy periods. We are not able to take advance bookings.

Book as soon as you arrive at Gaping Gill by visiting the tent next to the winch. You will be issued with a numbered wrist band and advised of your approximate descent time.

Descent fee - £20 per person

This page is part of the CPC's information for August 2024 and includes information about how to find us and how busy we are (there are links top right, but there is more information if you scroll on down this page).

Or download our Gaping Gill 2024 information sheet

• Visitors FAQ
• Visiting Cavers FAQ

Walking up to Gaping Gill

Walk to Gaping Gill

You can walk from Clapham (LA2 8EQ) to the cave entrance in about 1 1 / 2 hr along a well marked but rough path. On the way up you will pass the entrance to Ingleborough Show Cave. This separate attraction (well worth visiting) has no connection with the Gaping Gill Winch Meet / Caving Clubs.

Visiting the Main Chamber

Advice to Visitors

Advice to Visiting Cavers

There can be long waits and although you cannot book in advance once you have booked in you can explore Ingleborough rather than having to wait at the entrance. When it is busy or there is very heavy rain (which makes the descent unpleasant) and the chair does not run, we will try to make information available in Clapham and on the Twitter feed.

Local information

Clapham Village

Ingleborough Show Cave

EuroSpeleo 2016

There are plenty of places to stay locally and Clapham has an excellent community shop . In 2016 Yorkshire hosted EuroSpeleo - the largest cave conference in Europe (only held every few years). Over 700 cavers from across Europe visited Gaping Gill. You can see some of what brought them here.

The Craven Pothole Club

The CPC is a long established Dales Caving Club (est. 1929), with its base in Horton. If you are interested in starting to cave / joining us, talk to our members at the booking in tent or visit our web site. The main site has more information about Gaping Gill (We've been visting these caves for 85 years).

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Yorkshire Dales National Park

Gaping Gill

Gaping Gill is one of the most famous caves in the Yorkshire Dales National Park and one of the largest underground chambers in Britain. It is normally reached from Clapham by walking past Ingleborough Cave and up onto the slopes of Ingleborough . Please take care around the entrance as it is unfenced.

About Gaping Gill Cave

The main chamber measures 129m long, 31m high, and 25m wide. Fell Beck pours over a lip of rock above and crashes 100m to the floor of the cavern before draining through to Ingleborough Cave.

The Gaping Gill cave system is one of the longest and most complex in the UK, in fact, it wasn’t until 1983 that members of the Cave Diving Group made the connection between this cavern and Ingleborough Cave.

Settle man John Birbeck, who also made the first descent of Alum Pot, attempted the first descent in 1842, having first diverted the beck. He was lowered on a rope by farm labourers but he only reached a ledge 58m (190ft) down. It is known today as Birbeck’s Ledge.

In 1895 Frenchman Edouard Martel made the first descent to the bottom using a rope ladder and a candle. He kept in contact with the surface by telephone.

Experience Gaping Gill for yourself with a visit!

Gaping Gill can be enjoyed by cavers and non-cavers alike, thanks to two local caving clubs. For a one-week period in May and August, the Bradford Pothole Club and Craven Pothole Club run a ‘winch meet’ event, at which they set up a winch to allow members of the public to descend into the chamber. The descent takes a matter of minutes, and the explorer is then able to wander around Gaping Gill chamber, under the beauty of floodlights, to see the magnificent sights.

You can find out more about the ‘winch meet’ at Gaping Gill by going to the Council of Northern Caving Club’s website.

Specific details, including upcoming dates, can be found on the club websites:

• May meet:  Bradford Pothole Club website
• August meet:  Craven Pothole Club website

Exploring caves takes knowledge, the right equipment and experience. It is best to gain these either through a course run by a qualified guide, or by joining a local club. If you know what you are doing and just need to hire some equipment, then  Inglesports  is the place to go.

Have a look in the  Call in the Experts  section or on the  New to Caving  website for a local club.

Away With Maja

How to visit gaping gill cave in the yorkshire dales.

I’ve been lucky enough to have lived in Yorkshire for 6 years now – this region is absolutely full of amazing places and experiences. A visit down Gaping Gill, one of the biggest caves in the country, has been on my Yorkshire bucket list for years. It’s located in the Yorkshire Dales near Clapham . This summer, I finally made it happen! It was one of the coolest and most surreal experiences of my life. Here’s how to visit Gaping Gill!

When to Visit Gaping Gill

Unless you’re a member of a local potholing/caving club, Gaping Gill is only open to members of the public twice a year. This is because the only way down, unless you are a caver, is via a chair winch – which is set up by one of the local clubs. The Bradford Pothole Club and the Craven Pothole Club set up the chair winch for one week around the late May bank holiday, and the August bank holiday respectively. However, this does change, so check their websites well in advance of planning your trip. The stream at the ground level is dammed and diverted, so people can safely go down the main entrance shaft of the cave.

Keep in mind there is no pre-booking system, so you are not guaranteed a spot. I highly recommend planning an overnight visit, and staying near Clapham, so you can get there early. Only members of the pothole club are allowed to camp at Gaping Gill. I’ve stayed at Dalesbridge Campsite before – it’s just off the A65 so it can be a bit noisy with traffic, but it’s less than 10 minutes’ drive to Clapham to start the hike to Gaping Gill.

How to Get to Gaping Gill

Gaping Gill is only accessible on foot – the most straightforward route is from Clapham. It will take approximately 1-1.5 hours hiking from Clapham to get to Gaping Gill. Keep in mind if you take the main path from Clapham, you’ll pass through Ingleborough Nature Reserve. There is an admission charge to use the path here. If you don’t want to pay, you can take an alternate route along the bridleway on Long Lane. You then join up with the main path to Gaping Gill at Ingleborough Cave. After hiking up the ravine at Trow Gill, the path evens out – you’ll see the tents and people around the cave before the steep climb up to Ingleborough.

What to Expect at Gaping Gill

I visited Gaping Gill as a daytrip from York, which is nearly a 2-hour drive away. Getting up super early, I arrived in Clapham at 7am, and got to Gaping Gill at 8am. I was number 59 in the queue and had to wait 3 hours until my number was called for the descent. There is no shelter at Gaping Gill, so be prepared for all types of weather. On the day I went, it was hot and sunny, and there was absolutely no shade. Bring plenty of water, food, sunscreen, and waterproof clothes. It costs £20 per person for a descent into Gaping Gill. It is cash only so BRING ENOUGH CASH WITH YOU! (I cannot emphasize this enough!)

After you’ve signed up for your descent and paid, you’re given a wristband with a number. You’re then free to wander around. If you want to hike up Ingleborough, one of the Yorkshire Three Peaks, you could do this before returning and descending into the cave – I chose to do this after my descent.

Eventually your number will be called and after grabbing a helmet, you will get ready to descend. The chair winch is set up and operated by volunteers of the potholing club, who will make sure you are ready to safely descend.

Exploring Gaping Gill

The descent by chair winch takes approximately 1 minute to travel 98 meters (322 feet) down into Gaping Gill. This was an absolute thrill! Easily one of the coolest things I’ve ever done. Keep in mind you will get wet with water and spray as you go up and down. It’s also much cooler down inside the cave – about 8-10˚C (46-50˚F) – so bring appropriate clothing.

Gaping Gill is huge – the interior is big enough to fit York Minster inside it! It’s also home to the longest waterfall in England. Although, since most of it is underground, people tend not to count it. (England’s longest single-drop waterfall is Hardraw Force , and the longest cascade waterfall is Cautley Spout near the Howgills .) Once you’ve descended, you’re free to wander around as you please – there’s no time limit for how long you can be there. I spent about 30 minutes in the cave itself, then joined the queue to ascend in the chair winch back above ground. I actually loved this, as I took loads of photos of people going up and down in the chair winch!

Soon enough, it was my turn to head back up. It was just as fun as descending! After returning my helmet and taking some layers off, I said goodbye to Gaping Gill and headed on my hike up Ingleborough.

What to Pack for Gaping Gill

Gaping Gill is only accessed by hiking, usually from Clapham, and there are absolutely no facilities around the cave. You need to take everything you’ll need for the day with you. I recommend bringing the following things with you if you visit:

• Sturdy hiking boots
• Waterproof rain jacket and pants
• Waterproof phone case
• Dry bag (for example, if you have camera equipment)
• Warm layers (a jacket or fleece)
• Flashlight/ headlamp
• Lots of food/water

What to Do Around Gaping Gill

The hike from Clapham to Gaping Gill is part of one of my favorite walks in the Yorkshire Dales: the loop up to Ingleborough . This hike is about 12 miles, with fantastic views over the surrounding area (on a good weather day). When I did this hike in 2021 – without the visit to Gaping Gill but including a visit to Ingleborough Cave – it took me about 5.5 hours.

Planning Your Trip

I highly recommend staying around Clapham, so you can be up at the crack of dawn to get to Gaping Gill and get in the queue before they start descents. There are a number of accommodation options around Clapham, including in Settle. I camped at the Dalesbridge Campsite , which was very convenient. Keep in mind it is located right off the A65 road, so you will have some traffic noise. They have camping pods and a 4- or 6-bed cabin available too, as well as a bar on site that does wood-fired pizza. For hostels, the most convenient option would probably be the YHA Ingleton . You can search for hostels here , and for hotels and B&Bs here . Don’t forget to check Airbnb too!

Exploring Gaping Gill was one of the most exciting and thrilling experiences I’ve had in Yorkshire to date. Although it can be tricky to time out your visit as it’s only accessible to the public twice a year, it’s well worth the logistical planning! Bookmark the local pothole club websites to check for confirmed dates for 2023. I hope this helps in planning out your visit to Gaping Gill!

Have you even visited Gaping Gill in the Yorkshire Dales before? Would you go?!

You might also like my posts:

The BEST Places to Visit in the Yorkshire Dales

Hiking From Ingleborough to Clapham in the Yorkshire Dales

Whernside: The Highest Peak in Yorkshire

Exploring the Yorkshire Dales: Hiking Pen-y-Ghent

The Prettiest Villages to See in Swaledale

A Quick Guide to Aysgarth Falls in the Yorkshire Dales

The Ultimate Yorkshire Guide: 88 Incredible Places to Visit in Yorkshire

All of my Yorkshire posts !

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2 thoughts on “ how to visit gaping gill cave in the yorkshire dales ”.

[…] (in May and in August) with the Bradford and Craven Pothole Clubs. Read all about my experience going down Gaping Gill here! It’s actually connected to Ingleborough Cave, and part of a 17km system of caves! It took me […]

[…] the town on the Pennine Way to Hardraw Force – the highest single-drop waterfall (above ground, Gaping Gill in the Yorkshire Dales is the highest but it’s below ground!) in England. The waterfall is on […]

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Gaping Gill

Yorkshire dales national park.

The Gaping Gill System is a 15km+ network underneath Ingleborough with numerous entrances, offering many excellent caving trips. At the heart of the system is the spectacular Gaping Gill chamber, open to the surface via a 100m shaft.

The UK’s deepest underground waterfall plunges down this shaft, creating an amazing sight.

About Gaping Gill

The Gaping Gill system on the southern slopes of Ingleborough is one of the largest cave networks in the UK, comprising over 15km of passage and totalling 190m deep. The system is named after the famous main chamber, Gaping Gill, large enough by volume to accommodate York Minster!

Above ground, Fell Beck, which flows down from Ingleborough, terminates at a huge hole, where it plunges into the darkness, falling 100m directly into Gaping Gill chamber itself. This creates the longest unbroken waterfall in the UK and is a truly spectacular sight.

Cavers have been exploring the Gaping Gill system since the first attempted descent in 1842, and have now identified at least 21 entrances, including of course the most famous, the main shaft, following alongside the falling water of Fell Beck.

Experience Gaping Gill for yourself!

The beauty of Gaping Gill can be enjoyed by cavers and non-cavers alike, thanks to two local caving clubs. For a one-week period in May and August, the Bradford Pothole Club and Craven Pothole Club run a ‘winch meet’ event, at which they set up a winch to allow members of the public to descend into the chamber. The descent takes a matter of minutes, and the explorer is then able to wander around Gaping Gill chamber, under the beauty of floodlights, to see the magnificent sights.

Full details, including upcoming dates, can be found on the club websites:

• May meet: Bradford Pothole Club website
• August meet: Craven Pothole Club website

Although the meets last two weeks or more, a significant amount of this is setup and setdown, as well as a period when the winch is exclusively for club members and visiting cavers, so do check dates carefully for when the winch is open to the public.

Booking a descent is usually done at the event, first come first served, so we recommend that anyone wishing to descend the winch should arrive early (often by late morning, all available timeslots for the day are taken). The site is best approach by a picturesque 60–90-minute walk from Clapham village, passing Ingleborough Show Cave (also worth visiting on the way back down). There is ample excellent accommodation and hospitality in the area, and parking in Clapham village.

We strongly recommend stout footwear and all-weather clothing including good thermals, plus all the usual outdoor equipment you would expect to take on a walk in the Yorkshire Dales (maps, compass/GPS, packed lunch, water, torches). The weather conditions on Ingleborough can change rapidly. You may have some time, maybe even a few hours, to kill before your allocated descent. Once you get underground, Gaping Gill chamber is draughty and cool, and you may have to wait before your upward journey. Go well prepared to get the most out of your day!

For obvious reasons, the winch may be unable to operate after prolonged heavy rain.

A day out at Gaping Gill is both memorable and inspiring, and a chance to see one of the UK’s most awesome natural wonders. If, after your visit, you feel inspired to see more, explore more, do more, we recommend visiting www.newtocaving.com for more information, or of course, have a chat to the caving club members you meet on the day.

Upcoming winch dates (public access)

• May 10th - Jun 1st (Run by Bradford Pothole Club )
• Aug 2nd - 18th (Run by Craven Pothole Club )

Access for experienced cavers

Outside of winch meets, experienced cavers wishing to visit and descend either the main shaft or any of the other entrances to the Gaping Gill system, can do so freely. The caves are on access land and no prior permission is required. However, as courtesy to the landowner and to other visiting cavers, we encourage you to plan your visit using the online booking system set up and administered by the Council of Northern Caving Clubs:

View access information and how to book.

During the winch meets however, the clubs running the winch take control of all access to the system, and some routes are not possible. They usually rig several of the popular entrances for the duration of the event for your enjoyment. If wishing to take advantage of this, simply call at the tent by Gaping Gill before heading underground. More details below:

Click here for further details for cavers on the CNCC website.

Everything UK Travel

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Gaping Gill: A complete guide to visiting Gaping Gill

Gaping Gill is one of the best attractions in the Yorkshire Dales. If you’ve got a taste for adventure and outdoor activities, you’ll love visiting Gaping Gill. A massive underground chamber, its entry hole is right next to a waterfall, which drops 98 metres to the chamber floor. The only way to enter is to be lowered down in the waterfall’s spray.

Gaping Gill Cave is only accessible twice yearly when Craven Potholing Club opens a winch system to lower lucky visitors into the vast chamber below. Otherwise, you can still visit but will have to admire Gaping Gill from above.

Visiting Gaping Gill is quite a niche thing to do, and information about it isn’t available on a widespread scale. I visited Gaping Gill this year, and I’ve collected many first-hand tips for you to have an incredible experience. This guide will cover everything you need to know about visiting Gaping Gill. Let’s get started.

Where is Gaping Gill?

Gaping Gill is in the Yorkshire Dales, approximately an hour’s walk away from the village of Clapham.

If driving to Gaping Gill, you park in Clapham and make the rest of the journey on foot. To walk to the cave, you walk past Ingleborough Show Cave on the Ingleborough Estate Nature Trail, reaching Gaping Gill around 30 minutes later.

How deep is Gaping Gill?

The waterfall entrance to Gaping Gill is 98 metres deep – the tallest part of the cave. You experience the depth of Gaping Gill best when travelling down the entrance hole in the chairlift. The rest of the main chamber has ceilings over 30 metres high and is 129 metres in length.

Can you go to Gaping Gill cave?

Yes, you can go to Gaping Gill cave all year round if you are happy viewing the cave from above. Can you walk into Gaping Gill? Not quite. To enter the cave itself, you’ll need to visit on set days when the Gaping Gill winch can lower you down in a tiny chair. The cave ‘entrance’ is just a sheer drop.

The cave entrance is located in a small crater surrounded by higher, fenced-off ground. The entrance hole on the crater floor is unfenced and dangerous to walk near. Ideally, stay on the higher ground, but at the very least, watch your footing as you definitely don’t want to fall down 98 metres. It is best to view Gaping Gill from the higher, fenced-off ground above it. It is safer, and you’ll get a better view looking down on it anyway.

To go into Gaping Gill cave, you’ll have to visit on set days. Craven Potholing Club set up a winch to allow visitors to access the cave for a week every August, and you can keep an eye on their website for updates. Bradford Potholing Club tends to run for a week in May/June.

There are no reservations available, and there is a cap on how many people can enter the cave per day, so arrive early, so you don’t get turned away. Pay close attention to the clubs’ Facebook pages, too, as sometimes poor weather conditions can make the winch unavailable for a day.

How much is it to visit Gaping Gill?

The only cost to visit Gaping Gill and just look at the entrance from above is the cost to enter the Ingleborough Estate Nature Trail and park. As of 2022, to access the trail, adults must pay £2.50, and children (3-15) cost £1.00. Allow up to £10 for parking in the National Trust Car Park (unless you can be sneaky and find a street parking spot elsewhere for free).

If you want to go inside Gaping Gill, you’ll have to pay  in cash  to the potholing club when you arrive. Bradford Potholing Club charges £15 per person, and Craven Potholing Club charges £20.

When is Gaping Gill open in 2023?

The next available dates to visit Gaping Gill in 2023 are between the 27th of May and the 2nd of June with Bradford Potholing Club. Keep your eyes peeled for opening times for the Gaping Gill winch 2023.

How to get to Gaping Gill

The easiest way to get to Gaping Gill is to drive to Clapham, park in the Clapham National Trust Car Park, and walk 70 minutes along the Ingleborough Estate Trail. It is an out-and-back trail, so when you head back, you just retrace your footsteps.

Clapham is accessible by public transport, but you’ll need to be organised to make it work. The best way to reach Gaping Gill using public transport is to catch a train to Settle and then catch the 581 Craven Connection bus to Clapham, where you can start your walk. The 581 runs a limited service, so research the schedule ahead of time.

The Gaping Gill walk

When you walk out of the car park, you take a right, following a village road past a park and a church. You then take another right to reach the Ingleborough Estate entrance when you cross a little bridge. This section should take less than five minutes.

At the Ingleborough Estate entrance, you pay to access the trail (by card or cash) and have the opportunity to purchase tickets for the Ingleborough Show Cave as well. If you fancy a detour, you walk directly past Ingleborough Show Cave, making it an excellent addition to the trip. You can buy tickets at the estate entrance or the cave itself, so there is no pressure if you want to decide later.

With your ticket, you head through onto a little wooded trail, zigzagging up a couple of switchbacks before joining a wide trail alongside Clapham Beck. The woodland trail continues for around 20 minutes. You’ll pass a few viewpoints and an old cobbled building that a wealthy local woman used to ‘admire the scenery’.

After this time, you emerge onto limestone moorland and a rocky trail. Shortly after, you’ll pass Ingleborough Show Cave and a small café selling snacks and souvenirs. There are also toilet facilities and benches here if you need them. Once you’ve stopped for a break (if you need one), continue through a gate and along a rougher track with larger rocks and obstacles.

The hardest part of the trail comes next, and you’ll enter Trow Gill gorge with seemingly no exit. To continue the route, you must scramble up a massive pile of rocks and boulders. Take care on this section, as it can get slippery. Still, once you emerge, you are onto nice, easy moorland again (albeit the route continues on uneven ground and sheep tracks).

The final fifteen minutes or so reward you with stunning moorland views, with the imposing shape of Ingleborough ahead of you. Stick to the largest main path to bear right, and you’ll arrive at Gaping Gill.

What to expect when you arrive at Gaping Gill

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When you arrive at Gaping Gill, you’ll reach the fencing overlooking the crater and the cave entrance below. Follow the fence to the right, where you’ll find a large information board, and take a left down some steep (sometimes slippery) steps to the crater floor.

You’ll find tents dotted all around the crater when the potholing clubs are set up. Most club volunteers camp at Gaping Gill for the whole week, running operations from the ground. This area is usually windswept and has an expeditionary feel – like you’ve reached a base camp, which essentially, you have. Head to the sign-in tent, where you’ll pay your cave fee  in cash , provide your details (including your car registration number if you drove), and receive a wristband with a number. You then grab a helmet from a large box outside and queue at the winch.

Gaping Gill winch is controlled by multiple people. You have one person in charge of operating the winch, one strapping cavers into the chair lift contraption, and a few people waiting at the bottom to strap cavers in who are coming back up. The process operates continuously, with someone going down, a slight pause, and then someone coming back up.

Descending in the chair is the most exciting part. You descend fairly rapidly, veering scarily close to the walls (keep your legs in) and through waterfall spray before being engulfed in darkness. The light takes a while to adjust to; you might want to have a torchlight handy for the first few minutes once you land. After this time, your eyes adjust, and you can wander around without issues.

You are given an information sheet to take a self-guided tour around the chamber. You’ll learn about ‘Herman the German’, the supposed ghost of a German parachuter who accidentally landed in the cave. There are also plenty of fun facts about the cave itself.

After, you queue to head back up in the chairlift, finishing your experience and beginning your walk back to Clapham.

What to wear to walk to Gaping Gill

Don’t underestimate the walk to Gaping Gill. It takes only around three hours to complete the return hike. It is relatively untechnical, but the uneven ground (especially the scramble section) can get very slippery after wet weather. You’ll need a good pair of hiking boots.

The moorland section of the walk is also completely exposed. Dress according to the weather and check the forecast beforehand. In hot weather, a hat and suncream will be a good idea. In cold or wet weather, waterproofs and layers are the way forward.

Often it is considered a good idea to wear bright colours when hiking. Bright colours make you easier to spot and rescue if you get into trouble, especially if visibility drops. This is not unheard of on Yorkshire’s bleak moors.

What to wear to go inside Gaping Gill

If you want to descend via Gaping Gill winch, waterproofs and thermals are a must. Since you are lowered down through Gaping Gill waterfall, you should expect to get wet. After periods of heavy rain, Fell Beck gets even stronger, and the spray becomes more powerful. Be extra prepared if visiting in wet weather.

Thermals are a great idea, even if you have to strip off a few outer layers on the walk to Gaping Gill. You often have to queue to be lifted back up from the chamber (we waited 20-30 minutes to get back up). You can get cold quickly in the drafty, damp cave.

My main suggestions are gloves, thermal base layers, waterproof trousers, and a waterproof coat.

To Conclude  

Gaping Gill is a fantastic place to visit and should definitely be on your bucket list. Visiting Gaping Gill has a real expeditionary feel – with sections of unmarked paths, temporary pop-up tents, and no signal on much of the trail. Descending into the cave through the spray of the Gaping Gill waterfall is one of the most exhilarating things I’ve ever done. Arrive prepared and ready for adventure, and you’ll have one of the most memorable experiences of your life.

Looking for more things to do near Gaping Gill? Check out my existing guides on the best waterfalls in the Yorkshire Dales , best walks in the Yorkshire Dales , and a visiting Burnsall .

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Explore The World One Waterfall At A Time

Gaping Gill

Ingleborough / clapham / yorkshire dales, england, uk (great britain), about gaping gill, waterfaller safety & common sense: don't ruin it for everyone else.

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The Gaping Gill (I’ve also seen it referred to as Gaping Ghyll) was the name of a large and well known cavern or pothole deep in the moors at the boundary of the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

Typically, the name pertains to the cavern, but I’ve noticed in the literature that it also pertains to the waterfalls within the cavern.

During my visit, I counted three of these waterfalls all spilling right into the cave from the surface.

In any case, I’ll adopt the convention where the name Gaping Gill will also encompass its waterfalls.

After all, it was the waterfalls that drew me to this landmark in the first place though this cave was more typically known to caving enthusiasts.

A Unique Blend of Waterfall and Cave Adventure

I’d have to say that this particular adventure had to have been one of the most (if not the most ) memorable of all the waterfall experiences that I’ve ever been on.

The reason why this was such a memorable adventure (besides the lure of finding Britain’s highest unbroken waterfalls) was the unique experience of having to winch some 365ft into such a dark and forebidding cave.

In addition, there was also the uncertainty of even being successful on this excursion given that winch meets only happen on the pair of weeks of bank holidays each year (May and August) weather permitting.

I also had to earn my winch visit with a non-trivial hike along with the pre-hike preparation required to even get here.

And all that trouble was totally forgotten the moment my eyes adjusted to the low light conditions of the cave.

At the same time, my ears were literally flooded with the echoing sounds of crashing water as they reverberated throughout the large chamber.

Compromises with Nature to enable visitation

While Julie and I had been to Ruby Falls as well as the Dan-yr-Ogof Showcaves , which were also underground waterfalls in cave systems.

However, there were a lot of artificial things like colorful lighting, altered or widened pathways, etc. that were employed to enhance the visitor experience or increase the accessibility to a wider general public.

With the Gaping Gill, I felt it was about as raw of an experience as one could get as it didn’t have such things that would have further deviated from Nature.

Sure, there were some compromises made to ensure a visit was even possible with the winch and temporary lighting, but just to even have this possible as a result of passionate cavers or potholers made this experience special.

I’m sure it’s a fine balance between cave accessibility and altering the Natural environment.

For example, they had to divert one stream called Fell Beck so the winch wouldn’t be even more dangerous than it already was.

Plus, the diesel-powered winch is needed to drop one person at a time into the forbidding pothole with just a minimum amount of LED lights in the cave to even enable picture taking with at least a 20- to 30-second exposure .

You can bet that I was very glad that I had come prepared to bring my tripod and fit it in my pack for the tight winch.

So given all of these considerations, I gave Gaping Gill the benefit of the doubt in terms of its high scenic rating.

Detailed Description of the Gaping Gill Adventure – The Hike

The adventure began from the National Park Centre in the village of Clapham (see directions below).

I then hiked for about 10 minutes through the village past a church, then past the manmade Clapham Falls before entering the Ingleborough Estate Trail.

There was a self-help ticket dispensing machine where I was supposed to pay 65 pence per adult (or 35 pence per child) on this trail.

Past the ticket machine, the trail then started climbing as it meandered into a small forest where there was also a manmade lake flanking the trail.

Around 20 minutes from the ticket machine, I noticed some stone building with a small cross on it.

I wasn’t sure what it was for, but it seemed to provide some shelter from the rain momentarily as it had started getting wet when I got there.

Another five minutes of hiking later, I’d end up on the other side of the Ingleborough Estate Nature Trail where I went through a swinging fence to keep livestock from getting through.

At this point, the scenery opened up into sheep farming pastures as the tree cover ended.

The trail continued climbing, but the uphill was gradual along this stretch.

About another five minutes later, I then saw the entrance to the Ingleborough Cave (self-proclaimed to be “the best showcave in Britain”).

I didn’t have time to go into this cave so I can’t comment on what’s in there.

Anyways, once I got past the cave entrance, I crossed through a handful of more stiles or sheep fences while sharing the trail with sheep.

Then, the trail resumed its steeper climb as it eventually sandwiched into the head of a small gorge.

At the very head of the gorge, the trail steeply climbed up past the surrounding cliffs before entering into a breezier and more open expanse of moors.

The trail continued to climb even further and deeper into these moors where the footing was generally rocky and conspired to turn my ankle.

It was especially rockier and muddier as the trail skirted a long stretch of walls designed to keep sheep confined to an area.

After another 15 minutes of hiking in the moors, I then crossed another stile before the trail became a bit more faint amongst the combination of moorish grass and rocks.

Eventually, I’d see a series of tents up ahead that I knew came from the Craven Pothole Club running the winch meet for the Gaping Gill during my mid-August visit.

Detailed Description of the Gaping Gill Adventure – The Winch

After finally showing up to the registration area (some 90 minutes after I had set out on this hike), I paid my 15 pounds in cash.

Then, I got a numbered wrist strap essentially telling me when I should head down to the queue for the winch itself.

It would end up being about a half-hour wait for me (since I had shown up about 25 minutes after the first winch happened at 8am).

When it was finally my turn to get on the seat, I sat in prepared with wearing a hard hat that they provided.

I was donning two layers of rain ponchos to ensure my camera and tripod were not going to get wet from any waterfall possibly falling on me during the descent.

And under all that, I was wearing a jacket knowing full well that it would be cold and wet in the Gaping Gill.

I was then lowered by winch into the darkness of the cave.

The cave walls seemed to be very close to my body during my descent, which was why they told me to stay still and keep my legs tucked beneath the chair.

I’m sure someone with a Go Pro headcam could probably best convey what it’s like to descend on this winch than what I’m trying to describe here.

Nevertheless, after about a minute on the winch, I was then within the swirling mist from the three waterfalls spilling into the Gaping Gill.

Upon landing, staffers in the cave itself then guided me immediately to a waiting area where I would wait for a few more participants before we’d briefly tour the chamber.

Mist was everywhere, and it became clear why waterproofs and a jacket were necessary, especially given the amount of waiting in the mist.

Detailed Description of the Gaping Gill Adventure – The Cave Tour

When we finally got to our short tour of the chamber, we walked to a darker side of the cave very close to a pair of the waterfalls.

I was able to take tripod photos from here, but the falls were too close to really capture them without being cut off or totally filling in the frame.

Indeed, these waterfalls were that tall!

Then, we were guided to a more spacious and drier part of the cave still within view of the three waterfalls of Gaping Gill.

It was from this spot that we could take photos and explore at leisure for as long as we’d like.

Naturally, I took my time trying to document everything I could while soaking in this most unique of experiences.

When we’ve had our fill, we can then approach one of the staffers who’d then direct us to queue up within the misty torrent just a few paces from the winch path.

Anyways, it was from this larger drier spot that I took the photo you see at the top of this page.

It typically required about 30″ of exposure for enough lighting to fill into the photo using ISO400 on my Canon EOS 7D DSLR camera .

In the end, I probably spent a little over an hour in the cave before I was winched back up to the top.

Then, it was pretty much an all-downhill hike that took me about 75 minutes to get all the way back to my parked car in Clapham.

All in all, the entire excursion (including all the waiting and photo-taking) took me about 4 hours and 45 minutes (nearly 3 hours were spent on the hike itself).

This time commitment could easily grow if you happened to be here when the queue contained more people as only one person at a time can be winched in either direction.

Authorities

Gaping Falls resides in the Ingleborough Estate, but the trailhead resides within Yorkshire Dales National Park in Clapham Village of North Yorkshire County, England. The trailhead area is administered by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority. However, the upper parts of the hike and the cave itself are administered by the Ingleborough Estate. For information or inquiries about the area as well as current conditions, you can visit the National Park website as well as the Ingleborough Estate Nature Trail Facebook page .

Regarding the winch meets to actually go into the Gaping Gill cave, these are run by a pair of caving groups. You can find more information concerning the exact prices, dates, times, terms and conditions, and other logistics at the Craven Pothole Club (who runs the winch on the August Bank Holiday period) and the Bradford Pothole Club (who runs the winch on the Spring Bank Holiday period in late May).

The Gaping Gill excursion begins from the village of Clapham .

I managed to get there from Kendal so I’ll describe my driving route from there.

Heading south from Kendal onto the A6 motorway, I followed this high-speed throughfare for about 6 miles.

As it passed the M6 interchanges, the road then became the A65 road.

Next, I continued on the A65 for about 16 miles along a narrower two-lane highway with limited opportunities to pass (this stretch is where most of the traffic tends to occur).

I then turned left at a signpost directing me towards Clapham along the B6480 road.

After about 0.3 miles, I then turned left after crossing a bridge over the River Wenning, and drove about 100 yards to the National Park car park.

The car park was a pay and display area (I believe it was 2.5 pounds for up to 2 hours or 4.2 pounds for over two hours).

Fortunately, I had found street parking in Clapham where I noticed others were doing the same, and that appeared to avoid being subject to the pay and display fees.

From that point, I got out of the car and walked towards the north end of the village (going in the upstream direction) to approach the church, Clapham Falls, and the Ingleborough Estate Nature Trail entrance.

This drive between Kendal and Clapham took me about 35 minutes in the morning when there was less traffic.

However, it took me 45 minutes to return when there were many more vehicles on the A65.

As for some geographical context, Kendal was 87 miles (over 2 hours drive) west of York , 73 miles (90 minutes drive) north of Manchester , 236 miles (4.5 hours drive) north of Bath , and 271 miles (over 5 hours drive or 3-4 hours by train) northwest of London .

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360 degree sweep from the waiting area inside the Gaping Gill Cave showing the three waterfalls

Swirling sweep focused on just the waterfalls from the guide's favorite spot to take pictures

360 degree sweep of the full context of the Gaping Gill from the spaciious drier part of the cave, including someone descending on the winch towards the end of the video

Sweep of the attractive but man-made waterfall (Clapham Falls) that I noticed on the way to Gaping Gill

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Clapdale Dr, Lancaster LA2 8EE

Gaping Gill

Gaping Gill is a natural cave in North Yorkshire, England. It is one of the unmistakable landmarks on the southern slopes of Ingleborough – a 98-metre deep pothole with the stream Fell Beck flowing into it.

Located in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, Gaping Gill is a natural cave system that has been attracting tourists and cavers for over a century. With its stunning natural beauty, fascinating history, and unique subterranean experience, it is no wonder that Gaping Gill is considered one of England's most iconic tourist attractions. From a tourist's perspective, Gaping Gill offers a rare opportunity to explore the hidden depths of the earth. Visitors can embark on a guided tour of the cave system, which begins with a descent down a 100-meter vertical shaft known as the Main Chamber. This awe-inspiring descent is an experience in itself, and it sets the stage for what lies ahead. Once visitors have descended into the Main Chamber, they are greeted by the majestic beauty of the cave system. The chambers are adorned with towering stalagmites and stalactites, crystal-clear pools, and otherworldly rock formations that have been sculpted by millions of years of water erosion. As visitors make their way through the cave system, they are accompanied by experienced guides who provide fascinating insights into the geology and history of the area. From tales of ancient settlements to stories of the intrepid explorers who first mapped the cave system, there is no shortage of fascinating information to be learned. Of course, no visit to Gaping Gill would be complete without experiencing the famous Waterfall Chamber. Here, visitors can witness the awe-inspiring spectacle of a subterranean waterfall that cascades down from the surface above. The sight and sound of the waterfall are truly unforgettable, and it is no surprise that this chamber is one of the most popular stops on the tour. Beyond the cave system itself, Gaping Gill is surrounded by stunning natural beauty that is sure to enchant visitors. The Yorkshire Dales National Park is home to some of the most breathtaking scenery in England, and visitors can explore the park's rugged hills, verdant valleys, and charming villages during their visit. For those who are feeling adventurous, there are also plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy in the surrounding area. From hiking and mountain biking to rock climbing and kayaking, the Yorkshire Dales offer endless opportunities for exploration and adventure. In conclusion, Gaping Gill is an absolute must-visit for anyone interested in experiencing the natural beauty and history of England. With its stunning cave system, fascinating stories, and breathtaking surroundings, it is a tourist attraction that is sure to leave a lasting impression on visitors of all ages.

Things to do nearby

Gaping Gill is a natural cave system located in the Yorkshire Dales National Park in Northern England. It is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the area and is surrounded by stunning landscapes and a variety of activities for visitors to enjoy. If you're planning a trip to Gaping Gill, here are some of the top places to visit and things to do nearby: 1. Explore the Yorkshire Dales National Park The Yorkshire Dales National Park is a stunning area of natural beauty that surrounds Gaping Gill. The park is home to rolling hills, rugged moors, and picturesque valleys, making it a perfect place to explore the great outdoors. Visitors can enjoy hiking, cycling, horse riding, and rock climbing in the park, as well as taking part in guided tours and wildlife spotting. 2. Visit Ingleborough Cave Ingleborough Cave is another natural wonder located close to Gaping Gill. Visitors can take guided tours through the cave system, which features impressive stalactites and stalagmites, underground waterfalls, and subterranean streams. The cave is also home to a variety of rare and unusual species of plants and animals, making it a great place for nature lovers to explore. 3. Walk the Three Peaks The Three Peaks is a challenging but rewarding walk that takes visitors up three of the highest peaks in the Yorkshire Dales National Park: Pen-y-ghent, Whernside, and Ingleborough. The route covers 24 miles and can be completed in a single day, making it a popular challenge for experienced walkers and hikers. 4. Explore the Settle-Carlisle Railway The Settle-Carlisle Railway is a historic railway line that runs through the Yorkshire Dales National Park. The route offers stunning views of the surrounding countryside, as well as passing through a number of picturesque villages and towns. Visitors can take a leisurely train ride along the route, or even stop off at some of the stations to explore the local area. 5. Visit Malham Cove Malham Cove is a dramatic limestone cliff formation located close to Gaping Gill. The cove is a popular spot for rock climbers and hikers, as well as offering stunning views of the surrounding countryside. Visitors can also explore the nearby Malham Tarn and Gordale Scar, which are both located within easy reach of the cove. Overall, Gaping Gill is a fantastic destination for visitors looking to explore the stunning natural beauty of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Whether you're an experienced hiker or simply looking to enjoy the scenery, there's something for everyone to enjoy in this beautiful part of England.

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Gaping Gill

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Gaping Gill - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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Gaping Gill

Yorkshire dales, england.

'Gaping Gill in the Dales where Fell Beck becomes Britain's highest unbroken waterfall'

From @Jamie_Woodward

'A huge cavern underneath Ingleborough, 100m from moor to the floor (although there are many tens of meters of cobbles below), and big enough to fit a small cathedral inside.'

From Alan J. Wylie on Facebook.

Gaping Gill (also known as Gaping Ghyll) is a spectacular natural cave in North Yorkshire, England. On the southern slope of Ingleborough it is a 98-metre (322 ft) deep pothole with the stream, Fell Beck, flowing into it. After falling through one of the largest known underground chambers in Britain, the water disappears and eventually resurges adjacent to Ingleborough Cave. 

The Ingleborough area is part of a limestone region which lies on the southwest edge of the Askrigg Block, an uplifted area bounded by the Dent Fault to the West and the Craven Fault to the South West and dipping at just a few degrees to the N.N.E. 

The limestone, known as the ‘Great Scar Limestone', was laid down as a sediment, almost 200 m. thick, in a warm tropical sea, about 350 million years ago during the Lower Carboniferous period (Dinantian) when Europe and the British Isles lay about 10⁰ south of the equator. The remains of sea creatures formed the sediment, of typically 95% pure calcium carbonate, deposited on a sea floor comprised of impermeable, strongly folded slates and greywackes of Lower Palaeozoic Age. The limestone contains the fossils of corals, brachiopods and crinoids.

The Ice Age Changes

Climatic change, starting during the Pleistocene period led to the formation of glaciers in the more northern parts of Europe. The land was scoured and deep north-south aligned valleys formed on the surface. 

At the end of an Ice Age the retreating ice sheet released vast quantities of melt water. New surface features were cut into the limestone landscape and new cave systems were developed, often at a lower level than previous ones, because the local water table level had been lowered by the deepening of the valleys.

Development of Cave Systems

Surface streams draining off the peat are mildly acidic in nature with a typical pH <5. Atmospheric carbon dioxide, surface vegetation, peat and similar organic material give rise to the acidic waters which dissolve the limestone rock. The primary permeability of the limestone is very low, but the cracks and fissures in the limestone allow the water to penetrate. Initially the water seeped into vertical joints or fault fissures, dropping down to the water table level and then along weaknesses or ‘bedding planes’ between the beds of submerged limestone. The first recorded attempted descent was by John Birkbeck in 1842, who reached a ledge approximately 55 metres down. Text courtesy of Lesley Dunlop

Related Links

• Bradford Potholl Club's page on Gaping Gill
• Ingleborough Cave's page on Gaping Gill

Images (top to bottom):

• Looking down into Gaping Gill  © Wojciech Rozanski (Source Geograph.org.uk ) Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 license.
• Gaping Gill © Andy Jamieson ( Geograph.org.uk ) Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 license.

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Gaping Gill

Rob rated this “very good“

This walk takes us from Clapham village , through beautiful Clapdale Woods beside the lake, to Ingleborough show cave then on through dramatic Trow Gill gorge to reach Gaping Gill (a huge hole where the beck (stream) creates a 365ft waterfall to emerge again at Ingleborough cave).

David Butcher, route researcher

Key Information

Distance: 6.1 miles (9.82km) Time: allow 3 hours plus stops Start & Finish:

In Clapham village the large public pay and display car park is to the right of the road which runs up the right hand side of Clapham Beck. It is next to toilets and a cafe. directions

Places of Interest:

Clapham means homestead on the noisy stream (from the Old English: claepe – noisy stream; ham – homestead). It is a fine traditional stone built Dales village with a good example of an ancient pack-horse bridge. The parish church has a 15th century tower. The surrounding scenery of woods, fields, and moors has been shaped over 200 years by the Farrer family. Their former home, Ingleborough Hall, stands above the village.

Ingleborough Hall began its life in 1807 as an architect’s drawing, with final completion of the main buildings, stables, tunnels and nearby lake accomplished by 1841. During this period the Farrer family made considerable changes to the northern part of Clapham village. The London based Farrer family, owners of the vast Ingleborough Estate, used the Hall originally as a shooting lodge or country house until they moved north to Clapham in the early 1930's.

During the Second World War the Hall became home to evacuated prep school children and in 1952 it was sold to the old West Riding of Yorkshire to be run as a residential school. In the early 1970's a consortium of nearby Local Education Authorities took over and the Hall began its present life as an outdoor education centre. It is currently owned by the City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council.

The Lake is artificial, created when the Farrers dammed the beck. It is up to 15m deep, holds 15 million gallons of water and provides power to the water turbine at the Sawmill. In 1896 water power was harnessed in a small generator, providing one light to each house in the village. The lake also used to provide the village with its water supply.

Gaping Gill & Ingleborough Cave – Beneath the slopes of Ingleborough are deep potholes and a honeycomb of passages. At Gaping Gill Pothole, Fell Beck goes underground on its way to Ingleborough Cave. The Beck drops 365 feet from the moor into the pothole, Britain's 2nd largest known cave. The fall of the Beck is Britain's highest unbroken waterfall. Gaping Gill was first descended in 1895. The Ingleborough cave has been a show cave since 1837 when it was first discovered and made accessible by James Farrer.

Please Note: All self-guided walks and cycle rides are undertaken entirely at guests’ own risk. Route directions are supplied in good faith; however HF Holidays cannot be held responsible for any errors contained within. Updated GSE/GSE 17/12/18

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Gaping Gill - 4 Things to Know Before Visiting

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Gaping Gill is one of the most famous caves in the Dales and one of the largest underground chambers in Britain. It’s often said, without exaggeration, that this dramatic chamber is big enough to fit a cathedral. It is so big that there has been an attempt to fly a hot air balloon inside the cave. Gaping Gill still retains the records for the highest unbroken waterfall in England and the largest underground chamber naturally open to the surface.

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Ingleborough Cave

1.62km from gaping gill.

Ingleborough Cave is one of the best known in the UK with many visitors coming each year keen to see the historic attraction. Visitors to the cave will be greeted with one of the finest show caves in the UK with a number of notable features. It was located close to the village of Clapham in the scenic Yorkshire Dales. The tours of the Cave leave from the entrance at regular intervals with an expert guide to help interpret the many features of the Cave.

Ingleborough

2.13km from gaping gill.

Ingleborough is the second-highest mountain in the Yorkshire Dales, England. It is one of the Yorkshire Three Peaks and is frequently climbed as part of the Three Peaks walk. A large part of Ingleborough is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest and National Nature Reserve and is the home of a new joint project, Wild Ingleborough, with aims to improve the landscape for wildlife and people.

White Scar Cave

4.28km from gaping gill.

White Scar Cave is the longest show cave in Britain. See underground waterfalls, flowstone, and the massive ice-age cavern decorated with thousands of stalactites. Spectacular location in the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Originally accessed through a vertical boulder choke, an access tunnel has been cut to include it on the visitor trail.It is open as a show cave, the entrance being from the Ribblehead to Ingleton road on the west of Ingleborough, with tours being run throughout the year

Ingleton Waterfalls Trail

5.8km from gaping gill.

Ingleton Waterfalls Trail is a well-known circular trail beginning and ending in the village of Ingleton in the English county of North Yorkshire, now maintained by the Ingleton Scenery Company. It is claimed that the trail, some 8 kilometres long, and with a vertical rise of 169 m has some of the most spectacular waterfall and woodland scenery in the north of England. It is on private land and an entrance fee is charged.

Ribblehead Viaduct

6.81km from gaping gill.

Ribblehead viaduct is just over the border from Cumbria into North Yorkshire and is undoubtedly the most impressive structure on the Settle-Carlisle Railway. The viaduct carries the Settle to Carlisle Railway line across Batty Moss. The Viaduct has twenty-four magnificent arches that carry the railway line 104 ft above the moor. It was one of the iconic structures in this area and attracts a lot of tourists.

Pen-y-ghent

8.73km from gaping gill.

Pen-y-ghent is the perfect hill with which to give young children a taste of an outdoor challenge. The circular walk to the summit from Horton-in-Ribblesdale is under six miles – perfect for little legs or when the days are short and time is squeezed. The summit ridge divides streams flowing east to the North Sea from those that flow west into the Irish Sea and is at the end of a whaleback ridge that includes nearby Plover Hill.

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Discover More Attractions in North Yorkshire , Home of Gaping Gill

North Yorkshire

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North Yorkshire is the largest non-metropolitan county and lieutenancy area in England, covering an area of 8,654 square kilometres . Around 40% of the county is covered by national parks, including most of the Yorkshire Dales and the North York Moors.

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For more information about Gaping Gill , visit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaping_Gill

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Tour of the Gila: Scott McGill wins men's stage 2 Inner Loop Road Race

Stites moves into race lead with third at Fort Bayard

Scott McGill (Project Echelon) won the reduced bunch sprint on stage 2 of the Tour of the Gila, out-pacing Ignacio Prado (Canel's Java) at Fort Bayard.

Tyler Stites (Project Echelon), who finished second atop the climb to Mogollon on the opening stage, finished third and, with the time bonus, moved into the race lead, tied on time with stage 1 winner Wilmar Paredes (Team Medellin).

A total of 95 elite men took the start line at 9 a.m. local time in Fort Bayard, New Mexico on Thursday for the second day of racing on the  Inner Loop Road Race p/b Brian & Lynn Robinson/SW Bone & Joint Institute. 

Stage 2 covered 76.2 miles (122.6km) with 6,056 feet (1,840 metres) of elevation gain in a clockwise loop that crossed the Continental Divide twice, and riders on the lookout through the southwest desert terrain to avoid thorns from local plants that cause flat tyres.

Three KOMs were on the menu for the day - 11.6 miles(18.7km), 20.2 miles (32.5km) and 63.9 miles (102.8km) - as well as two intermediate sprints. The women ride the same course, but abbreviated their ride at the finish climb by 2.1 miles. Once cresting the third and final category 3 climb of the route, the peloton had a fast 10 miles into Bayard, then the final 3.1 miles through the town to the uphill Fort Bayard finish.

Stephen Schaefer (Landis/Trek) and Conn McDunphy (Team Skylight) spent time off the front but the race came back together after the major climbs were done. A huge crash split the peloton en route to Fort Bayard, with all of the jersey holders avoiding the wreck.

Project Echelon handled the finale perfectly, delivering McGill to the stage win and Stites into the lead heading into the stage 3 time trial.

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GAPING GILL: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

• (2.85 mi) Moor View Bed and Breakfast
• (3.44 mi) Harling House, Bed and Breakfast
• (2.90 mi) The Traddock
• (4.12 mi) Middle Studfold Farm
• (4.03 mi) The Pines
• (3.43 mi) The OPO Bar
• (2.79 mi) The Game Cock Inn
• (2.35 mi) Goat Gap Cafe
• (2.01 mi) The Old Sawmill Café
• (3.94 mi) Elaines Tea Rooms

Claudia Looi

Touring the Top 10 Moscow Metro Stations

By Claudia Looi 2 Comments

Komsomolskaya metro station looks like a museum. It has vaulted ceilings and baroque decor.

Hidden underground, in the heart of Moscow, are historical and architectural treasures of Russia. These are Soviet-era creations – the metro stations of Moscow.

Our guide Maria introduced these elaborate metro stations as “the palaces for the people.” Built between 1937 and 1955, each station holds its own history and stories. Stalin had the idea of building beautiful underground spaces that the masses could enjoy. They would look like museums, art centers, concert halls, palaces and churches. Each would have a different theme. None would be alike.

The two-hour private tour was with a former Intourist tour guide named Maria. Maria lived in Moscow all her life and through the communist era of 60s to 90s. She has been a tour guide for more than 30 years. Being in her 60s, she moved rather quickly for her age. We traveled and crammed with Maria and other Muscovites on the metro to visit 10 different metro stations.

Arrow showing the direction of metro line 1 and 2

Moscow subways are very clean

To Maria, every street, metro and building told a story. I couldn’t keep up with her stories. I don’t remember most of what she said because I was just thrilled being in Moscow.   Added to that, she spilled out so many Russian words and names, which to one who can’t read Cyrillic, sounded so foreign and could be easily forgotten.

The metro tour was the first part of our all day tour of Moscow with Maria. Here are the stations we visited:

1. Komsomolskaya Metro Station  is the most beautiful of them all. Painted yellow and decorated with chandeliers, gold leaves and semi precious stones, the station looks like a stately museum. And possibly decorated like a palace. I saw Komsomolskaya first, before the rest of the stations upon arrival in Moscow by train from St. Petersburg.

2. Revolution Square Metro Station (Ploshchad Revolyutsii) has marble arches and 72 bronze sculptures designed by Alexey Dushkin. The marble arches are flanked by the bronze sculptures. If you look closely you will see passersby touching the bronze dog's nose. Legend has it that good luck comes to those who touch the dog's nose.

Touch the dog's nose for good luck. At the Revolution Square station

Revolution Square Metro Station

3. Arbatskaya Metro Station served as a shelter during the Soviet-era. It is one of the largest and the deepest metro stations in Moscow.

Arbatskaya Metro Station

4. Biblioteka Imeni Lenina Metro Station was built in 1935 and named after the Russian State Library. It is located near the library and has a big mosaic portrait of Lenin and yellow ceramic tiles on the track walls.

Lenin's portrait at the Biblioteka Imeni Lenina Metro Station

5. Kievskaya Metro Station was one of the first to be completed in Moscow. Named after the capital city of Ukraine by Kiev-born, Nikita Khruschev, Stalin's successor.

Kievskaya Metro Station

6. Novoslobodskaya Metro Station  was built in 1952. It has 32 stained glass murals with brass borders.

Novoslobodskaya metro station

7. Kurskaya Metro Station was one of the first few to be built in Moscow in 1938. It has ceiling panels and artwork showing Soviet leadership, Soviet lifestyle and political power. It has a dome with patriotic slogans decorated with red stars representing the Soviet's World War II Hall of Fame. Kurskaya Metro Station is a must-visit station in Moscow.

Ceiling panel and artworks at Kurskaya Metro Station

8. Mayakovskaya Metro Station built in 1938. It was named after Russian poet Vladmir Mayakovsky. This is one of the most beautiful metro stations in the world with 34 mosaics painted by Alexander Deyneka.

Mayakovskaya station

One of the over 30 ceiling mosaics in Mayakovskaya metro station

9. Belorusskaya Metro Station is named after the people of Belarus. In the picture below, there are statues of 3 members of the Partisan Resistance in Belarus during World War II. The statues were sculpted by Sergei Orlov, S. Rabinovich and I. Slonim.

10. Teatralnaya Metro Station (Theatre Metro Station) is located near the Bolshoi Theatre.

Teatralnaya Metro Station decorated with porcelain figures .

Taking the metro's escalator at the end of the tour with Maria the tour guide.

Have you visited the Moscow Metro? Leave your comment below.

January 15, 2017 at 8:17 am

An excellent read! Thanks for much for sharing the Russian metro system with us. We're heading to Moscow in April and exploring the metro stations were on our list and after reading your post, I'm even more excited to go visit them. Thanks again 🙂

December 6, 2017 at 10:45 pm

Hi, do you remember which tour company you contacted for this tour?

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