The Complete Guide to the Waterfalls of the Lake District

Most people who visit the Lake District to walk in its beautiful surroundings think first about the mountains and the lakes. But think beyond the obvious, and there are many more beautiful natural wonders to be searched out and enjoyed. There are many stunning waterfalls in the Lake District, some well-known and accessible for all visitors, and others which have to be sought out as part of a fell walk.

While understanding the challenge of defining all the waterfalls in the Lake District and indeed missing out some of particular merit, I have chosen a personal twenty here, including waterfalls that feature in popular lists, are well known, and are most visited. However, I have also included some lesser-known waterfalls which demand a climb to reach them. Visiting all twenty should present you with some interesting new walks!

Note: Click the GPX link on each waterfall entry to download a GPS file indicating its location.

Aira Force

Source: Aira Beck • Location: Glenridding
Grid Ref: NY399205

Aira Force is one of the most popular waterfalls to visit in the Lake District due to its accessibility from the road and its beguiling location which has inspired poets, writers, and artists for centuries. The tumbling waterfall drops an impressive 65 feet and can be reached by an enchanting stroll through ancient woodland and landscaped glades.

Walk to Aira Force →

Colwith Force

Source: River Brathay • Location: Elterwater
Grid Ref: NY327031

Colwith Force is one of the most accessible waterfalls in this list, being close to the Ambleside to Coniston road just off the spur to Little Langdale. The waterfall drops in several stages down a height of about 40 feet, with the final double spout being the most spectacular feature.

Walk to Colwith Force →

High Force

Source: Aira Beck • Location: Glenridding
Grid Ref: NY400209

The waters of Aira Beck tumble over High Force before continuing downstream to tumble over the more well-known waterfall of Aira Force. Situated in lush woodland on the west-facing slopes of Gowbarrow Fell, High Force is an ideal spot for resting and taking in the natural surroundings in peace.

Walk to High Force →

The Howk

Source: Whelpo Beck • Location: Caldbeck
Grid Ref: NY318397

The Howk is a small and pretty waterfall set in a limestone gorge on the western outskirts of Caldbeck village. A popular short walk follows Whelpo Beck up to the gorge, which also contains the picturesque ruins of the old Howk Bobbin Mill, closed in 1924.

Walk to The Howk →

Lodore Falls

Source: Watendlath Beck • Location: Grange
Grid Ref: NY265187

Situated in Watendlath Beck near the south end of Derwent Water, visitors can get as close to the falls as they wish. The falls are spectacular after a period of wet weather and were made famous by poet Robert Southey in his poem 'The Cataract at Lodore'.

Walk to Lodore Falls →

Moss Force

Source: Moss Beck • Location: Buttermere
Grid Ref: NY192173

Moss Force is situated in the pass connecting the Newlands Valley to Buttermere and was admired by Samuel Taylor Coleridge, who described its torrent marked out by three great waterfalls rushing from the slopes of Robinson.

Walk to Moss Force →

Ritsons Force

Source: Mosedale Beck • Location: Wasdale Head
Grid Ref: NY185093

Ritsons Force is found a short way behind the Wasdale Head Inn. Walk through the beer garden, cross the stone bridge, and follow the path up through a gap in the stone wall to a group of trees on the hill where a wooden gate leads you down to the waterfall.

Walk to Ritsons Force →

Rydal Falls

Source: Rydal Beck • Location: Rydal
Grid Ref: NY365068

Walkers completing the Fairfield Horseshoe often pass right by Rydal Falls without knowing. To reach these lovely falls, walk north from Rydal Hall following Rydal Beck upstream for about 500 metres.

Walk to Rydal Falls →

Scale Force

Source: Scale Beck • Location: Buttermere
Grid Ref: NY150170

Scale Force, with a single drop of 120 feet and several smaller drops, is hidden in a deep gorge on the northern flank of Red Pike south of Crummock Water. William Wordsworth described it as "a fine chasm, with a lofty, though but slender, fall of water."

Walk to Scale Force →

Skelwith Force

Source: River Brathay • Location: Skelwith Bridge
Grid Ref: NY340035

Situated near a slate works, Skelwith Force is a 15-foot waterfall where the combined waters of the River Brathay and Langdale Beck thrust a dramatic passage through the rocks with an impressive roar.

Walk to Skelwith Force →

Sourmilk Gill Waterfall

Source: Sourmilk Gill • Location: Seathwaite
Grid Ref: NY229122

Many people are drawn to look at the cascading series of waterfalls of Sourmilk Gill even if they are not planning to walk in their direction. It is an attractive draw at Seathwaite Farm for walkers heading toward Great Gable.

Walk to Sourmilk Gill →

Spout Force

Source: Aiken Beck • Location: Lorton
Grid Ref: NY182260

Spout Force is located in managed forest just west of the Whinlatter Pass. Reached via a forest path with a viewing platform on the far side, the volume of water in spring can be very impressive.

Walk to Spout Force →

Stanley Force

Source: Stanley Ghyll • Location: Boot
Grid Ref: SD174995

Stanley Force is found in Eskdale close to Boot. Set in a deep ravine planted with ferns and rhododendrons, the waterfall features a series of drops totaling approximately 150 feet, with a single drop of 60 feet into a deep pool.

Walk to Stanley Force →

Stickle Ghyll

Source: Stickle Ghyll • Location: Great Langdale
Grid Ref: NY293066

There are several impressive waterfalls a short distance from each other, easily reached from the National Trust car park at Dungeon Ghyll in Great Langdale. The most famous is in Dungeon Ghyll, famously written about by Wordsworth in 'The Idle Shepherd Boys'.

Walk to Stickle Ghyll →

Stock Ghyll Force

Source: Stock Ghyll • Location: Ambleside
Grid Ref: NY382045

A short walk from the centre of Ambleside behind the Salutation Hotel leads to Stock Ghyll Force, a spectacular 70-foot drop waterfall viewed from a railed platform. In spring, the area is a carpet of daffodils.

Walk to Stock Ghyll Force →

Taylor Force

Source: Seathwaite Gill • Location: Seathwaite
Grid Ref: NY228108

Taylor Force is one of the highest waterfalls in the Lake District (140 feet drop) and one of the most enigmatic, often given just a glance by walkers heading from Seathwaite to Scafell Pike. Set amid pine trees on a hillside, it is a sight to behold.

Walk to Taylor Force →

Tom Gill Waterfalls

Source: Tom Gill Beck • Location: Tarn Hows
Grid Ref: SD325999

Tarn Hows is drained by Tom Gill, which cascades down over several small waterfalls to Glen Mary Bridge. Following the gill from Tarn Hows down to the car park makes for a lovely walk through wooded cascades.

Walk to Tom Gill Waterfalls →

Whitewater Dash

Source: Dash Beck • Location: Bassenthwaite
Grid Ref: NY273312

Whitewater Dash is highly rated as one of the finest waterfalls in the Lake District, found in Dash Beck as it descends rapidly in cascades from Candleseaves Bog on the slopes between Bakestall and Great Calva.

Walk to Whitewater Dash →

Whorneyside Force

Source: Hell Gill • Location: Oxendale
Grid Ref: NY261053

Situated on Whorneyside Fell, this waterfall is the most dramatic feature of Hell Gill Beck as it flows from the foothills of Bowfell and Crinkle Crags into Oxendale Beck, dropping about 12 metres into a deep bowl-shaped pool.

Walk to Whorneyside Force →