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 fells 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 the waterfalls which feature in popular lists, are well known and most visited. However I have also included some less known waterfalls which demand a climb to reach them. The task of visiting all twenty should present you with some interesting new walks to reach them.
Note: Click the link on each grid reference point for a GPS (.gpx) file which indicates the location of the particular waterfall.
Aira Force Source: Aira Beck Location: Glenridding Grid Ref: NY399205 |
Colwith Force Source: River Brathey Location: Elterwater Grid Ref: NY327031 |
High Force Source: Aira Beck Location: Glenridding Grid Ref: NY400209 |
The Howk Source: Whelpo Beck Location: Caldbeck Grid Ref: NY318397 |
Lodore Falls Source: Watendlath Beck Location: Grange Grid Ref: NY265187 |
Moss Force Source: Moss Beck Location: Buttermere Grid Ref: NY192173 |
Ritsons Force Source: Mosedale Beck Location: Wasdale Head Grid Ref: NY185093 |
Rydal Falls Source: Rydal Beck Location: Rydal Grid Ref: NY365068 |
Scale Force Source: Scale Beck Location: Buttermere Grid Ref: NY150170 |
Skelwith Force Source: River Brathey Location: Skelwith Bridge Grid Ref: NY340035 |
Sourmilk Gill Waterfall Source: Sourmilk Gill Location: Seathwaite Grid Ref: NY229122 |
Spout Force Source: Aiken Beck Location: Lorton Grid Ref: NY182260 |
Stanley Force Source: Stanley Ghyll Location: Boot Grid Ref: SD174995 |
Stickle Ghyll Source: Stickle Ghyll Location: Great Langdale Grid Ref: NY293066 |
Stock Ghyll Force Source: Stock Ghyll Location: Ambleside Grid Ref: NY382045 |
Taylor Force Source: Seathwaite Gill Location: Seathwaite Grid Ref: NY228108 |
Tom Gill Waterfalls Source: Tom Gill Beck Location: Tarn Hows Grid Ref: SD325999 |
Whitewater Dash Source: Dash Beck Location: Bassenthwaite Grid Ref: NY273312 |
Whorneyside Force Source: Hell Gill Location: Oxendale Grid Ref: NY261053 |