7 of the best waterfalls in the Lake District
Although the Lake District is commonly associated with its idyllic lakes and mountainous terrain, hidden within its verdant landscape lies a plethora of wonderful waterfalls of all shapes and sizes.
Within this blog I have listed seven of my favourite waterfalls in the Lake District National Park, ranging from the highest to the most impressive. Some are extremely easy to access and only require crossing a road, while others are a little more difficult to reach.
At a glance:
Whorneyside force, Langdale Valley
Aria Force, Ullswtaer
Moss Force, Newlands Pass
Scale Force, Crummock Water
Rydal Falls, Rydal
Sour Milk Ghyll, Grasmere
Stanley Ghyll Force, Esk
Whorneyside Force
Waterfall height: 70ft
What three words location: clues.derailed.causes
Parking: Old Dungeon Ghyll
Distance to waterfall: 6km round trip
Difficulty: Easy-Moderate
Facilities: Toilets and a Cafe located at New Dungeon Ghyll
The under-appreciated and under-visited Whorneyside Force is one of the hidden gems of the Lake District.
Its secluded location, beautiful surroundings, and impressive scale makes it my favourite of all the waterfalls I have visited in the National Park.
The 40ft Waterfall, which plunges into a deep green, bowl-shaped pool is tucked away at the head of the Langdale valley beneath impressive peaks of Crinkle Crags.
The plunge pool is the perfect location for a wild swim so make sure you pack a towel and some bathers.
How to reach the waterfall?
The 3km one way hike to the waterfall involves 200m of elevation gain and should take around 45 minutes to reach.
Ample parking is available at the National Trust Car Park at Old Dungeon Ghyll (£7.50 all day), if this car park is full then there is a larger car park at New Dungeon Ghyll 500m further down the valley.
Check out my vlog below for an overview of the walk,
Aria Force & High Force
Waterfall height: 60ft
What three words location: riskiest.spite.bandwagon
Parking: Aira Force Car Park
Distance to waterfall: 2km round trip
Difficulty: Easy-Moderate
Facilities: Tea rooms and toilets at the car park
Regarded as one of the finest waterfalls in the Lake District, this cascade features in every single guide and must-visit list written about the region.
Aria force may not be the highest, widest, or most dramatic of waterfalls in Lakeland, but rather it is it’s fairytale-esque surroundings which make it so beautiful.
Set within a steep gorge and enclosed by a colosseum of towering nature, the main fall cascades for 70ft from beneath a stone footbridge.
Once you have visited Aria force, take the time to follow the woodland trail half a mile upstream to reach High Force, on route you will pass half a dozen other smaller cascades.
To avoid the crowds and have the best experience possible, plan to visit Aria force as early as possible, ideally around sunrise.
The waterfall is extremely popular, with the lower car park often full before 10am. Being on the footbridge surrounded by dozens of people would definitely take away from the allure of this magical falls.
How to reach Aria force?
There are three National Trust car parks which give you access the waterfall.
The most popular is the main car park on the shore of Ullswater which also has tea rooms and toilets. From here, a full loop up to the high cascades footbridge and back is 2.8km
If the main car park is full there are two others, Park Barrow and High Cascades, situated on the side of the A5091 between the lake and the village of Dockray.
Also consider hiking up to Green hill, after visiting the falls for an epic view over Ullswater. The route can be found here.
Moss Force, Newlands Pass
Waterfall height: 300ft
What three words location: goes.poses.sizzled
Parking: Free roadside parking on the Newlands Pass
Distance to waterfall : 250m
Difficulty: Easy
Facilities: None
The view of Moss force from the other side of the Newlands Pass
Situated a few hundred yards from the crest of the Newlands pass, Moss force is mighty 100m waterfall that dramatically spills over three separate cascades.
There is a small amount of free parking available on the side of the road on the summit of the pass from here you only have to step out of your car to get a grand view of the falls.
Although the view is impressive enough from the roadside, you can get up walk up to its base via one of two short trails that lead to the middle and lower sections of the waterfall.
Another option is to walk up the hill on the opposite side of the road to gain not only a great view of the falls but some terrific views down both sides of the valley.
Make sure you continue all the way over the Newlands pass and down to beautiful valley of Buttermere. Here you will find two stunning lakes, a series of wonderful walks alongside the tallest waterfall in the Lake District, Scale Force.
Scale Force
Waterfall height: 170 feet
What three words location: instilled.groom.inform
Parking: National Trust Car Park Buttermere
Distance to waterfall: 7km round trip
Difficulty: Moderate
Facilities: Toilets and Café in Buttermere
The view of Scale force from inside the gorge
The highest single drop waterfall in the Lake District, Scale Force is a cracker of a waterfall.
Situated within a deep gorge cladded with a luscious green foliage, this waterfall has a very tropical feel to it.
If it wasn’t for the air and water temperature you would briefly think you were in a South Asian jungle, not the North-West of England.
How to reach the Scale Force?
Parking is available at the National Trust car park just outside of Buttermere village.
From the car park head down into Buttermere and pass between the tranquil lakes of Buttermere and Crummock Water. From here follow the western shore of Crummock water around to the waterfall.
Upon reaching the waterfall your view will be slightly impeded by a small 3m waterfall which sits at the base of the gorge.
If you are able, I would recommend scrambling above the first set of falls to get a front on view of Scale Force.
Only when you are stood between the narrow rocky chasm will you be able to fully appreciate the sheer scale and power of this waterfall.
In total the hike is 7km, involved a modest 135m of elevation gain and should take around two hours to complete. The route can be very boggy underfoot so choose your footwear wisely.
Rydal Falls
Waterfall height:15ft
What three words location: rentals.picnic.native
Parking: St Mary's Church
Distance to waterfall: 500m
Difficulty: Very easy
Facilities: Toilets and a coffee shop at Rydal Gardens
Although this is the smallest waterfall on the list, it is one of the most beautiful.
Situated just off the A591 between Ambleside and Grasmere, the waterfall is located within Rydal Mount and Gardens, a Tudor cottage which was once the home to the poet William Wordsworth.
What makes the setting so quaint is the small wooden viewing house which sits at the base of the waterfall.
Originally built in 1668, ‘The Grot’ is regarded as the oldest viewing house in the country and has a large glass panelled side which looks directly towards Rydal falls.
How to Reach Rydal Falls?
Limited free parking is available on the roadside next to St Mary's Church. Alternatively you can pay to park at Rydal Gardens.
Access to the gardens are completely free and from the church its around a 500m walk to the bridge which overlooks the Grot. The Grot is only unlocked between 8am and 4pm.
After visitng the waterfalls there is plenty to see and do within the Gardens. The area has undergone major restoration over and is home to a tearoom and residential arts program which has created an unusual sculpture path situated within its woodland.
The Grot, Rydal Falls
Sourmilk Gill, Grasmere
What three words location: jumbo.renders.centuries
Parking: Grasmere
Distance to waterfall: 7km round trip
Difficulty: Easy
Facilities: Toilets and a cafes located in Grasmere
Situated just outside the wonderful village of Grasmere, Sour Milk Gill is a series of cascades which flow down from Easdale tarn.
The name is derived from its churning, white waters which give it a milky appearance.
The waterfall is best combined with a hike up to Easedale Tarn, a glacial lake situated in the upper valley of Easedale.
There are numerous pay and display car parks available in Grasmere, from which the route follows a well-maintained path for 3.5km up the tarn.
Upon reaching the tarn you have the option of extending your walk by taking the 2km stroll around the lake’s shoreline.
Stanley Ghyll Force
What three words location: releasing.professed.fidgeting
Parking: Dalegarth Station
Distance to waterfall: 2km
Difficulty: Easy/ Moderate
Facilities: Toilets and café at the train station
The view from the top of the closed off path.
Stanley Ghyll Force is a striking 60ft waterfall which cascades over multiple tiers down rhododendron-clad cliffs into a deep ravine.
The waterfalls is a must-see if you’re over in the eastern section of the Lake district, however it isnt worth driving out of your way for. Especially if you have to go over the notorious Hardknott pass.
There are several other waterfalls on this list which are easier to get to that would recommend visiting before you head to this one.
How to reach Stanley Ghyll Force?
Parking is available at Dalegarth Station.
crosses the main road turn right then right again following the path over the the river esk then and through tranquil woodland alongside the river up towards the base of the falls.
The final section of the route involves navigating a series of wooden footbridges, back and forth over the river. Unfortunately access to the base of the main waterfalls has been closed off due to a landslide which has destroyed the final section of the path.
You can however make the short but steep climb up the metal viewing platform which is suspended from the the top of the ravine above the falls.
The grated metal platform places you 5m out over the ravine and isn’t for the faint hearted.
The view from the platform
So there we have it, 7 of the best waterfalls in the lake district which you have to visit.
If I had to pick a favourite it would have to be Whorneyside Force. Which would be yours?
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You can find more Lake District inspiration in the following blogs.
The best viewpoints in the Lake District - 12 easy to access locations
The hardest hikes in the Lake District National Park - 14 challenging routes
35 of the best hikes in the Lake district - From beginner to advanced
For more Welsh travel inspiration check out my in-depth guides to each of my favourite Welsh regions below.
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