Thistle Cave (2) Trip Log: Pitch Previews, Route Descriptions & Video. [ Cave Info ](https://www.caveinfo.co.uk) [Cave Directory](https://www.caveinfo.co.uk/caves) [Interactive Cave Map](https://www.caveinfo.co.uk/cave-map) [About](https://www.caveinfo.co.uk/about) Yorkshire Dales - Three Peaks / RibbleheadThistle Cave (2) ================ A very short and easy cave. Great for beginners and younger cavers. Grade 1 Routes Completed 1 Visits 1 SRT Cave? No Access No Restrictions Access Land (CRoW) refers to land where you have a right to roam on foot. In caving, this often means the entrance is located on such land. [ ![Thistle Cave (2)](https://www.caveinfo.co.uk/storage/42/conversions/01KVV4R8S4S9ZSCE0W9EJK2C3S-optimised.webp) ](https://www.caveinfo.co.uk/storage/42/conversions/01KVV4R8S4S9ZSCE0W9EJK2C3S-optimised.webp) [ ![Thistle Cave (2) - Thistle Cave (2)](https://www.caveinfo.co.uk/storage/43/conversions/01KVV5B2H2R9HY21F7FF6QVQ03-thumb.webp) ](https://www.caveinfo.co.uk/storage/43/conversions/01KVV5B2H2R9HY21F7FF6QVQ03-optimised.webp) [ ![Thistle Cave (2) - Thistle Cave (2)](https://www.caveinfo.co.uk/storage/44/conversions/01KVV6Y955A1DBTHZDBEEB6DYP-thumb.webp) ](https://www.caveinfo.co.uk/storage/44/conversions/01KVV6Y955A1DBTHZDBEEB6DYP-optimised.webp) [ ![Thistle Cave (2) - Thistle Cave (2)](https://www.caveinfo.co.uk/storage/45/conversions/01KVV73QB4Z7XZ5NGNF0PM49T4-thumb.webp) ](https://www.caveinfo.co.uk/storage/45/conversions/01KVV73QB4Z7XZ5NGNF0PM49T4-optimised.webp) [ ![Thistle Cave (2) - Thistle Cave (2)](https://www.caveinfo.co.uk/storage/46/conversions/01KW0ARB0VHVRB8Q6Z1N2FEFKA-thumb.webp) ](https://www.caveinfo.co.uk/storage/46/conversions/01KW0ARB0VHVRB8Q6Z1N2FEFKA-optimised.webp) - Directions / Parking - Routes - Visits - Videos - Weather Directions and Parking ---------------------- About 15 mins walk Around 0.28 miles / 0.45 KM Satnav: Blea Moor Rd, Carnforth, LA6 3AS ### Parking There's plenty of places to park in the very obvious lay-bys. With it being a popular place for walkers, it's advised to get there early. Between 9AM and 9:30AM if you want a decent spot. As you approach, there's a lay-by on your left, I'd keep going and see if you can get a space closer to bridge – just makes for a shorter journey when you set off to the cave. Bring some cash for the burger and ice cream vans. There's no mobile signal whatsoever down there, so no card payments! [ ![Thistle Cave 2 - Main car parking](https://www.caveinfo.co.uk/storage/103/conversions/01KZDYFM8AVE0PQVZ5F5TWH5YE-thumb.webp) ](https://www.caveinfo.co.uk/storage/103/conversions/01KZDYFM8AVE0PQVZ5F5TWH5YE-optimised.webp) ### Walking Directions You can just about see part of the cave from about the middle of the car parking on the right hand side of the road. Its like a stone outcrop with a tree growing out the face of the rocks. There's a worn path visible in the grass which you can use to make your over, however you don't have to follow it. The main thing you're looking for is the small tree growing just up to the left of the entrance (see photo). I've also included a photo looking out from the cave back over to the car park so you can get a feel as to how far away the cave is in relation to the car park. [ ![Thistle Cave 2 - Main walking route to cave](https://www.caveinfo.co.uk/storage/106/conversions/01KZDYFMA57YF4YKEHBDTHMZJC-thumb.webp) ](https://www.caveinfo.co.uk/storage/106/conversions/01KZDYFMA57YF4YKEHBDTHMZJC-optimised.webp) [ ![Thistle Cave 2 - Cave entrance](https://www.caveinfo.co.uk/storage/105/conversions/01KZDYFM9PCWCQAYPG4YTNQY2D-thumb.webp) ](https://www.caveinfo.co.uk/storage/105/conversions/01KZDYFM9PCWCQAYPG4YTNQY2D-optimised.webp) [ ![Thistle Cave 2 - Looking out to car park from cave entrance](https://www.caveinfo.co.uk/storage/104/conversions/01KZDYFM9BDQPN3H4ASCBC0X4Q-thumb.webp) ](https://www.caveinfo.co.uk/storage/104/conversions/01KZDYFM9BDQPN3H4ASCBC0X4Q-optimised.webp) ### Interactive Map The map shows the walking route and parking spots. You can also download the data in GPX and KML, which you can then import into OS Maps. [ Download GPX ](https://www.caveinfo.co.uk/caves/thistle-cave-2/directions/gpx) [ Download KML ](https://www.caveinfo.co.uk/caves/thistle-cave-2/directions/kml) Route Descriptions ------------------ #### Thistle 2 to Thistle 3 [ Print ](https://www.caveinfo.co.uk/caves/thistle-cave-2/routes/thistle-2-to-thistle-3/print) **Thistle Cave** is a very short cave and can probably be completed in under 10 minutes at a steady pace. The route begins at a **rocky outcrop with an obvious entrance**. Slide into a short crawl, then you’ll soon be able to stand up for almost the entire route. There may be a little water to walk through. After passing **three large boulders** in the middle of the passage, continue for a few more minutes until you reach a section where you'll have to crawl. Your hands and feet may get wet. Thankfully, this part is brief. You’ll then pass some **lovely colour changes** and the cave ceiling becomes taller, with a **narrow arched shape** that’s worth photographing if you have a camera. Next, you come to a section where the cave opens up. You can climb onto a higher level and follow it left, which I believe leads out to the **first entrance**. Alternatively, you can follow the path round to the right and continue on. At this point you’re nearly done, with only a few minutes left. As you continue, you’ll eventually see **daylight** and can ascend to the exit. My Visits --------- Caving journal### 14 June 2026 Personal rating ★★ 2/5 Party 6 people Time Underground 0h 10m Walk To Entrance 0h 15m Total outing 0h 25m Conditions Dry Would do again? No #### Trip profile SRT 1/5 Navigation 1/5 Tightness 1/5 Exposure 1/5 Water 2/5 Physical 1/5 #### Notes Just like Runscar (4) Thistle Cave (2) is another very short cave. It's a little bit better in terms of things to look at. There's a quick crawl through some water and a few nice things to look at, but that's about it really. We saw a big group of kids being led by some cave guides, so again. its a good starter cave for kids. Sadly not much else on offer. I wouldn't do it again because of this. Videos for Thistle Cave (2) --------------------------- Rainfall report for Thistle Cave (2) ------------------------------------ This uses Environment Agency rainfall data from the real-time data API (Beta) and is provided for reference only. Please note the **“Distance from cave”** metric, as measurements are often several miles from the cave. Always check local forecasts and confirm the cave is safe to enter before going. Instrument Type Tipping Bucket Rainguage Distance from cave Approx: 1.25 miles Location of instrument 54.217501 -2.333500 Latest Reading 0mm at 12/10/2026 15:00:00 Met Office forecast### Weather forecast Yesterday through the next 6 days #### Sun 11 Oct 2026 High / low 11°C / 9°C Wind 4 mph Rain chance Day 9% Night 50% Heavy rain Day 0% Night 25% #### Mon 12 Oct 2026 High / low 16°C / 13°C Wind 5 mph Rain chance Day 52% Night 93% Heavy rain Day 31% Night 92% #### Tue 13 Oct 2026 High / low 16°C / 13°C Wind 9 mph Rain chance Day 95% Night 35% Heavy rain Day 94% Night 22% #### Wed 14 Oct 2026 High / low 15°C / 12°C Wind 8 mph Rain chance Day 35% Night 65% Heavy rain Day 19% Night 45% #### Thu 15 Oct 2026 High / low 16°C / 12°C Wind 7 mph Rain chance Day 89% Night 78% Heavy rain Day 87% Night 76% #### Fri 16 Oct 2026 High / low 12°C / 9°C Wind 6 mph Rain chance Day 8% Night 3% Heavy rain Day 5% Night 1% #### Sat 17 Oct 2026 High / low 12°C / 9°C Wind 3 mph Rain chance Day 2% Night 3% Heavy rain Day 0% Night 1% ### More Caves Cave #176#### Sell Gill Holes (Dry) A popular choice for people wanting to get their SRT stripes. 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