From the hotel head round the corer by The Ambleside Inn and under the archway down the Slack. At the cross junction bear left into Vicarage Road (alongside the Walnut Fish & Chip Shop), as you get to the top of Vicarage Road enter Rothay Park (just after the school). Walk across the park and exit via the footbridge going over Stock Ghyll then turn immediately left over the stone bridge spanning the River Rothay. Turn right along the surfaced lane, following it for about a mile until it almost joins the main road via a stone bridge.

Don’t cross over the bridge but head left just before it along the lane passing a car park and a row of cottages. Continue past the cottages up hill, the road will change from tarmac to a stony path continue to follow this until you reach a wooden gate as you pass through the gate in front of you is Rydal water.

To continue to the caves keep on the upper path looking down on to Rydal water and follow the path right along and you will read a very stony slate path head up the path and on your left had side you will see the first of two man made caves, continue up the path to see the largest of all the caves.

At this point you can continue on to Grasmere and Grasmere water or turn back to join the Vale of Rydal. To continue on the Vale of Rydal drop down the path on your right and in the stone wall at the bottom you will see a gate heading in to a wooded area follows the path to reach the River Rothay aiming for the gate and bridge over the River Rothay at the end of the path. Cross the bridge to meet up with the main Grasmere/Ambleside Road. The badger bar will be opposite you.

At this point turn right then first left onto a lane, signposted to Rydal Mount. Go up the hill until you reach the rear of Rydal Hall and then turn right onto a signposted track. Head along the path and over the bridge at Rydal Beck waterfalls (next to the Old Schoolhouse Tea Shop).

Continue along between the buildings, bearing right. At a T junction turn left following the stony track, (turn right through the gate to visit the gardens at Rydal Hall). Follow the path, which takes you through Rydal Park, eventually you will re-join the Grasmere/Ambleside Road. At this stage cross over the road, turn left follow the roadside footpath to Ambleside.