Cavedale needs to be bone dry, or left to BMX specialists
If you wait for Cavedale to be bone dry you’ll be there for a few years!
I cleared it once in the snow – it was so deep that it hid all the rocks nicely and fresh snow is really grippy (plus your speed can never run away with you) so actually that was the easiest it’s ever been, didn’t touch any rocks!
I’ve only ever managed it clean on about 3 occasions though. A big enough bike and it’s just point-and-shoot, you really only need to worry about the walkers. Hardtail or short travel (XC) full sus and it’s a lot trickier.
Two routes in, the easiest is down the tarmac farm track off the top of Winnats Pass just HERE, follow it round to the left and then it’s through the gate on your left across a grassy field, you can see the ruined castle. Second main option is to climb Dirtlow Rake and loop round.
But the trail itself is very definitely a ride INTO Castleton (ie riding NE)