The Bone Caves
The Bone Caves
4.5

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4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles160 reviews
Excellent
90
Very good
55
Average
10
Poor
5
Terrible
0

annando36
Warrington, UK88 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2020
Only a small car park (free) so I’d suggest getting there early. Superb circular walk with a clearly defined route. The walk up to the actual caves is not for the faint hearted though as the path is basically a ledge with a very steep slope on one side. It was particularly windy when we were there so it was a bit hairy ! The scenery is spectacular and the caves really interesting. We took the dogs and they were off lead all the way apart from the climb up to the caves and down. Perfect for a couple of hours.
Written August 21, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Sharon C
Bathgate, UK42 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2021
The view from the caves down the valley is epic! You walk alongside a lovely waterfall and even see a natural spring! If you're lucky enough you might see some deers.
After reading reviews online, I expected the walk to the caves to be around 30 minutes but I'd say its more likely 45 minutes depending on your fitness level and if you get good weather. The trail can be muddy under foot and you need to watch your step as it's very uneven.
Written July 9, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Andydjp
Stotfold, UK637 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2021
This is a good four mile round walk which is rugged and steep as you go up to the caves. There are quite steep drops so those with concerns by heights may not enjoy this as much. It is a nice walk through the valley and then up to the caves, it is interesting to consider the history of the caves as you sit in the entrance and look across the incredible scenery below and beyond.
Written July 4, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Anne D
Welwyn Garden City, UK90 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2021 • Couples
Great circular walk!
The loop probably took us about 1.5 hours. You follow the path from the car park and when you get to a bolder marked with 2 arrows one says bone caves to right or another option left. We took the right arrow to go straight up, this option is steep at first then if you continue past the caves you slope back down steadily. If you take the left arrow you do this in reverse basically.
The view from the caves are stunning! Well worth the walk. And its a beautiful walk too along a river and bolder field.
Written September 19, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Kay W
Evesham, UK2 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2022 • Couples
Read all the reviews so thought we would give it a go. Whoever said it was an easy stroll must be an experienced walker, rocky footpaths need your wits about you. Then started to climb, thank god i have been going to the gym as would not of been able to continue. Then you start the climb along a single footpath, very rocky and would suggest only doing it you are a confident person. Could not turn back as was even more frightening with the thought of going back down the really bad path, So continued, some of the paths had given way and it is a shear drop, if you are frightened of heights don’t do it, I am and was more frightened with turning back. could not stay in the caves as did not feel safe and panic was setting in, luckily there were not many other people. Basically, if you don’t like heights don’t do it, if you are not an experienced walker, don’t do it. Wont be doing it again.
Written March 24, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

7Leila
London, UK52 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2023
Free car park but it filled up quickly when we were there in April. The hike is long, easy to start with then the path takes you up the side of the hill and becomes a bit more dangerous. It is not for the faint hearted. Having said that, our children (youngest is 5 years old) managed to complete the hike and enjoyed the views. We did have to hold their hands towards the end of the hike. Views are gorgeous and the caves are interesting. Definitely worth doing it, if you are ok with long walks and heights.
Written April 13, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Karen M
Scotland, UK93 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2020 • Family
Lovely walk in at a gentle incline through the valley, past waterfalls and lovely landscape views. The last part is very steep with a narrow path along the edge towards the caves. Think twice if you suffer from vertigo/fear of heights!

I wouldn’t take young children due to the terrain. Took a couple of hours at a gentle pace. Carpark is small and can get crowded.
Written August 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Anuj_Mithani
Mumbai, India3,924 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2023
These are a set of natural pre-Ice Age caves set high in a limestone cliff, where a large number of animal bones were discovered during excavation (hence the name). It’s a beautiful trail through a deep, secluded valley with a steep climb up to the caves followed by a sharp vertigo-inducing descent right along the edge of the cliff back to the valley. We were greeted by a deer at the end of our walk!
Written June 13, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

DSC-NOVA
Fairfax, VA2,747 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2018 • Friends
Often the quality of an experience rests on the mercy of time and weather, and so it was with the Bone Caves. It was drizzly, windy, and overcast; the stream that accompanies the path to the caves was flowing high and at spots spilling over, making the path itself muddy and slippery, and the uphill hike, mostly on exposed rock, was slick and treacherous. We persevered to the cave entrances, only to find the vaunted views obscured by dense fog. Such is the life of a part-time explorer on the Northcoast 500.

First thing to know: finding the Bone Caves isn't the easiest thing in the world. It’s not grandly or clearly marked and it’s easy enough to drive past the parking lot. We were coming from the north so began looking for the small entrance sign after we passed Inchnadamph. (Coming from the south, it’s about 2 miles past the Ledmore junction.) The parking lot is sizeable but without facilities (that we saw) so we parked, bundled up against the cold wind and icy rain, tightened our hiking boots, grab our head lights and cameras and started out into the gloom.

The first mile or so is relatively flat and easy to walk (well, we imagined it would be in good weather) but the stinging, cold rain and the overflowing river made the ground muddy and the rocks slippery--we expended a fair amount of energy just getting past the waterfall and the spring where the water magically bubbles to the surface before beginning our serious uphill climb. We elected to cross the river at the first option and follow the path up the side of the cliffs; if you have a fear of heights, this option will require you to climb over rough terrain and traverse a narrow path with a sharp drop-off to get to the caves. If you want a more secure path, stay on the far side of the river. It loops around and approaches the caves from the opposite direction, allows for some amazing views of the cave openings, and never requires you to face death as you travel across a very narrow footpath.

There are four caves (Badger Cave, Reindeer Cave, Bone Cave, and Fox Cave). The Reindeer Cave has a drop-off in the back that you need to be aware of; you should find it easily if you have brought your flashlight / headlight with you. For us, none of the four were especially spectacular in and of themselves but then the thrill was simply surviving the walk to get to them.

We have seen the spectacular photos some hikers get from the cave entrances; on our visit, all we could see outside the opening was fog. After we explored for a while, we headed back down, continuing our loop by walking away from the path we had taken to get to the caves. As you travel this way, look back up at the cliffs and see if you can identify the seated man (made of rocks, of course) who guards the area.

This was a much more arduous trip for us because of the conditions but the path is a popular one and in sensible weather the parking lot is filled; on this day, there were only two cars in the parking lot. The total circuit is about 3 miles and should take a couple of hours; with the mud sucking at our boots and the wind blowing us backwards at every step, we took a bit longer. You don’t have to be in great shape to make the circuit but steep spots abound and some scramble is required, so just be aware. Also, as mentioned make sure you bring some sort of light source with you, whether that is a flashlight or headlight or smartphone because once inside the caves you will need some type of illumination.

In summary, this might be a fun walk in good (sunny) weather but not so much in bad. Our thrill came from surviving the climb and the elements and making it back to the car alive but it wasn’t a lot of fun and took more grit than joy to reach the caves. Sorry to say the caves themselves were somewhat anticlimactic but the view, were there one to be had on our trip, might make all the difference.
Written February 10, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Claire I
52 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2019 • Solo
I stopped off to do this walk on a whim, assuming it would be a quick flat walk to a cave and back. The walk is advertised is 4km but felt way longer. You will start off following a dry driver bed and soon find yourself in a bit of a valley between tall hills. At this stage I saw a herd of deer grazing on the hillside nearby. The path then crosses the riverbed and climbs up the side of one of the hills. At this stage I realised I was afraid of heights and I seemed to be the only one for miles around so it was all a bit eerie! The path gets steeper and steeper until you're nearly having to use your hands to climb up to the mouth of the caves themselves. The caves are quite deep and impressive although again, very creepy! (In a good way). The road down is just as steep and you get amazing views. I loved this walk and there's a great sense of achievement if you're a but iffy on heights and you manage it :) only downside is that the carpark is barely signposted so you just have to know roughly where it is and stop when you see lots of cars by the roadside!
Written April 18, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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The Bone Caves - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

Frequently Asked Questions about The Bone Caves