8 waterfall walks worth getting your boots muddy for.
Ancient woodland, roaring gorges, hidden cascades and one famous path behind a curtain of water. These are eight complete Days Out Now routes already mapped and ready to explore.
Eight unforgettable UK walks where waterfalls steal the show, from the roaring gorges of Ingleton to the slate-lined cascades of Cwmorthin and the woodland magic of Aira Force.
Waterfall walks UK
Some walks save the best view for the end. These barely give you time to put the camera away.
From the thundering waterfalls of the Yorkshire Dales to a forgotten slate kingdom in North Wales, every route in this collection has its own character.
Some are gentle enough for an easy afternoon. Others cross exposed moorland or rough mountain ground. What they share is a proper sense of adventure and a complete Days Out Now guide waiting when you want the map, directions and practical details.
Choose your kind of waterfall day.
Distances and times below come from the existing Days Out Now route guides. Open the full walk before travelling for maps, parking and route-specific safety advice.
| Walk | Distance | Time | Difficulty | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Four Waterfalls | 6.6 miles | 3 hrs 45 | Moderate | Walking behind a waterfall |
| Ingleton | 4.5 miles | 2-3 hours | Moderate | Constant gorge scenery |
| Cwmorthin | 6.45 miles | 4-5 hours | Moderate | Mountain history and wild scenery |
| Malham Cove | See full guide | See full guide | Scramble option | Waterfalls and limestone drama |
| Aysgarth Falls | 2.5 miles | 1.5-2 hours | Easy | A relaxed family loop |
| Healey Dell | 2.14 miles | 1.5-2 hours | Easy-moderate | Folklore and hidden woodland |
| Bronte Waterfall | 10 miles | 4-5 hours | Moderate-challenging | Big moorland adventure |
| Pooley Bridge-Glenridding | 10-11 miles | 4-5 hours | Moderate | Aira Force and Ullswater |
Ystradfellte, South Wales
Four Waterfalls Walk
This is Waterfall Country at its most memorable: ancient woodland, deep river gorges and four magnificent falls packed into one circular route. The moment everyone remembers is Sgwd yr Eira, where the path passes behind the cascading water.
The route also reaches Sgwd Clun-Gwyn, Sgwd y Pannwr and Sgwd Isaf Clun-Gwyn. Expect stone steps, steep descents, mud and slippery rock, especially after rain.
Why choose it: the most waterfall-filled route in the collection and the only one here where the guide takes you behind the water.
02Yorkshire Dales, England
Ingleton Waterfalls Trail
Huge cascades, narrow ravines and woodland paths arrive one after another on this famous circuit. The River Twiss leads towards Pecca Falls and the great curtain of Thornton Force before the route crosses open ground and returns beside the River Doe.
Beezley Falls and Baxenghyll Gorge keep the drama going, while the maintained paths, bridges and viewpoints make the route straightforward to follow. There are plenty of steps and an entrance fee applies.
Why choose it: a compact route with very little quiet time between waterfalls, viewpoints and gorge scenery.
03Cwmorthin, North Wales
The Lost Waterfalls & Slate Kingdom Trail
A steep rocky track climbs beside cascades and plunge pools before the valley opens beside dark, mountain-backed Llyn Cwmorthin. Beyond the water sits one of Wales’s most atmospheric abandoned slate landscapes, threaded with old tramways, inclines and quarry remains.
This is a genuine mountain walk rather than a sanitised visitor trail. Loose slate, wet ground, old workings and misleading junctions mean the recorded line and safety guidance in the complete guide matter.
Why choose it: waterfalls and industrial history woven together in a place that feels as though the mountains swallowed an entire slate kingdom.
04Malham, Yorkshire Dales
Malham Cove Trek
This route feels like several different walks stitched into one. It leaves Malham for the woodland glade around Janet’s Foss, enters the towering walls of Gordale Scar, crosses towards Malham Tarn and finishes above the vast limestone face of Malham Cove.
The Gordale Scar waterfall scramble is short but steep and should not be attempted in wet or icy conditions. The existing guide explains the signed alternative route around the gorge for anyone who would rather avoid it.
Why choose it: the best all-round landscape adventure here, mixing waterfalls with woodland, limestone and huge Dales views.
05Wensleydale, Yorkshire Dales
Aysgarth Falls Family Loop
A gentler route linking the Upper, Middle and Lower Falls of Aysgarth through riverside viewpoints and peaceful woodland. The River Ure changes character throughout the loop, from broad rocky shelves to powerful cascades framed by trees.
The route passes through Freeholders’ Wood and St Joseph’s Wood, with a railway tunnel and a slightly wilder field section adding just enough adventure. Facilities at the visitor centre make this one of the easiest days in the collection to plan.
Why choose it: three famous falls in a short, family-friendly circuit with plenty of places to stop and enjoy the river.
06Rochdale, Greater Manchester
Healey Dell: Fairy Bridge & Waterfall
There are walks you expect to find in the Lake District or a fantasy film, then there is Healey Dell: a wooded gorge just outside Rochdale with tumbling water, ruined mills and a Victorian railway viaduct rising above the trees.
The short circuit follows the River Spodden through the waterfall gorge to the folklore-rich remains of Fairies’ Chapel before returning along the old railway corridor. Come for the atmosphere and rock formations rather than expecting a cave that can be entered.
Why choose it: a surprising little adventure where waterfalls, industrial history and local folklore fit into just over two miles.
07Haworth, West Yorkshire
Bronte Waterfall & Dyke Hike
A rugged, windswept loop through classic Bronte Country, beginning at Penistone Hill and crossing open moorland to the waterfall and its stone clapper bridge. From there the route climbs towards Top Withens before joining the Pennine Way above Walshaw Reservoir.
Old drainage dykes, remote tracks and huge skies give this route a much wilder feel than the shorter waterfall walks. Sturdy boots, layers and dependable navigation are important on the exposed ground.
Why choose it: the waterfall is only the beginning of a proper moorland journey filled with literary history and Yorkshire grit.
08Ullswater, Lake District
Pooley Bridge to Glenridding via Aira Force
This long western-shore walk combines Ullswater, ancient woodland and mountain views with one of the Lake District’s most famous waterfalls. After leaving Pooley Bridge, the route follows lakeside paths and climbs onto the Gowbarrow terrace before reaching Aira Force and Aira High Force.
The final miles continue through Glencoyne Park and beside the lake towards Glenridding. The distance is the main challenge, and the existing guide explains the one-way logistics, including return options.
Why choose it: the biggest sense of journey, with Aira Force appearing halfway through a full day beside Ullswater.
Before you set off
Water looks better after rain. The paths usually do not.
Quick answers
UK waterfall walk FAQs.
Which is the best waterfall walk for families?
The existing Aysgarth Falls guide describes a 2.5-mile easy loop with visitor-centre facilities. Healey Dell is also short, but includes roots, steps, uneven edges and slippery woodland ground.
Which route has the most waterfalls?
The Four Waterfalls Walk at Ystradfellte is built around four named falls, while the Ingleton trail delivers an almost continuous sequence of cascades and gorges.
Can you really walk behind a waterfall?
Yes. The Ystradfellte route reaches Sgwd yr Eira, where the established path passes behind the curtain of water. Surfaces can be very slippery, so follow the guidance in the complete walk.
Which is the most adventurous route?
Cwmorthin combines steep waterfall tracks with a rough mountain circuit and abandoned slate workings. The Bronte hike is the longest exposed moorland circuit, while Malham includes an optional scramble that must be avoided in unsafe conditions.
When is the best time to visit a waterfall?
Waterfalls are often more powerful after rain, but paths, steps and rocks will also be muddier and more slippery. Check the forecast and the complete route guide, and never force a walk when conditions feel wrong.
Keep exploring
Found the one that made you reach for your boots?
Open the complete walk for the map and directions, or browse the full Days Out Now walking library when you want another route.
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