Regulations United Kingdom Yorkshire Dales National Park
Scoska Cave
Caving
Regulations on 31 October 2026
Signs at the site and later resolutions prevail; check the source.
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Permit required
Caving · All year
In force on 31 October 2026
Not confirmed by an official source.
Contact landowner
Contact should be made in advance directly with the landowner.
Also known as Gildersbank Cave.
The cave is approached mostly via public footpath from Arncliffe (or Litton), and is located only 200m off the footpath, following up Guildersbank Sike (see our route description for more detailed information).
The access requirements for Scoska Cave changed in November 2025. Until then, access to cavers had not required prior permission.
The following statement has been provided by the new owners:
“The current owners recognise the importance of Scoska cave to cavers, other visitors and as a site of enormous environmental importance. There is increased pressure on the site and for the moment they are operating a permission system which will monitor the numbers of cavers and help exclude the small minority who cause damage. Applications for permission should be made to Anita Walker at […] giving name and contact details and proof of insurance."
Important conservation note…
- - Scoska Cave has been rated as one of the richest in Europe for mosses and liverworts, not to mention ferns and also moths. We would like to urge visiting cavers to please keep to the left wall of the entrance passage as you enter the cave and depart from daylight, to preserve the plants and mosses along the right side (and of course please remember to do the opposite and keep right on exiting). Conservation tape referenced in previous CNCC news articles, intended to help focus footfall to the correct side of the passage, has been removed by the landowner who has advised us that they prefer the habitat to remain in its natural state.
Published by Council for the Northern Caving Community, 17 Nov 2025 · CNCC - Scoska Cave
In Yorkshire Dales National Park
Regulated zone
Yorkshire Dales National Park
These hold everywhere inside the boundary, whether or not a site is marked.
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Permit required
Camping & bivouac · All year
In force on 31 October 2026
Wild Camping & Fly Camping
Wild camping is not permitted anywhere in the Yorkshire Dales without prior permission from the landowner.
As the National Park Authority we do not have the power to allow camping on private land and we do not permit camping on the small amount of land that we own.
Fly camping and overnight occupation of vehicles in our car parks is also not allowed at any time. […]
Published by Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, 28 Mar 2025 · Motorhome and campervan hire and camping