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Eden

Patterdale

Priest's Hole Cave

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United Kingdom

England

North West England

Cumbria

Eden

Patterdale

Priest's Hole Cave

Recommended by 20 hikers out of 21

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Location: Patterdale, Eden, Cumbria, North West England, England, United Kingdom

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Best Hikes to Priest's Hole Cave

4.6

(16)

228

hikers

1. Hartsop Above How – Brothers Water loop from Patterdale

12.2km

04:20

680m

Intermediate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Intermediate

4.6

(17)

208

hikers

2. Hartsop Above How – Brothers Water loop from Patterdale

11.6km

04:14

690m

Intermediate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Intermediate

5.0

(11)

hikers

3. Dove Crag Summit – High Hartsop Dodd loop from Patterdale

11.9km

04:24

670m

Intermediate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

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Intermediate

Tips

David

April 29, 2016

This highlight does not have an established path to but well worth a visit. When the main path flattens from the steep climb veer towards the rock outcrop to the south. The cave is half way up the cliff face that can be accessed via a traverse. Sure footedness is needed

David

April 30, 2016

With the formation of the protestant church in the 16th century, it became high treason for catholic priests to be in England. This cave was used to hide catholic priests from the priest hunters in the area. As this cave is hidden from view, it was an ideal place to hide someone. Today it is used as an overnight stop for walkers and climbers.

David

February 23, 2018

If you are in the lakes, this is a spot to seek out. It is about 1 1/2 hour walk straight up from Brothers Water and on a clear day the views are spectacular.

It got its name from harbouring catholic priests that were being persecuted under Henry the VIII in the 1500's . It was an excellent place to hide someone as the cave cannot be seen on approach.

Please be aware that the climb up to the cave can be dangerous and people have lost their lives attempting to find the cave so don't take any risks.

If you would like to find the cave then as you climb from Brothers water, you will climb some steep rock steps, at the end of these steps it will level out a bit with the priest hole buttress on your left and a large rock in front of you on the path. Turn left towards the buttress and climb until you hit a path that runs perpendicular to you. turn left on the path and carefully make your way around the front of the buttress. there are a couple of scrambles as you approach the cave and as you come around the front of the buttress, priest hole will be above you. The greatest danger of falling is at Priest Hole itself so please be careful.

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Informations

Elevation 670 m

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Wednesday 17 September

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Max wind speed: 20.0 km/h

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See hikes here

Take Me There

Location: Patterdale, Eden, Cumbria, North West England, England, United Kingdom

Priest's Hole Cave

1. Hartsop Above How – Brothers Water loop from Patterdale

2. Hartsop Above How – Brothers Water loop from Patterdale

3. Dove Crag Summit – High Hartsop Dodd loop from Patterdale

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