As summer rears its head, we can’t help but look forward to gorgeous walks in our stunning countryside, but as we’ve found out recently, the country is most definitely getting hotter. One way to have your cake and eat it too here in the North West is to line up your hike with a stunning waterfall visit to ensure you get some refreshing H20 on the go, and potentially some cover from nearby foliage and rock formations.
We have some stunning natural water features in our region, and to prove this once and for all, the team at GO Outdoors have compiled a selection of the UK’s most stunning waterfalls, perfect for exploring during the summer. The waterfalls within a 2.5-hour trip of Greater Manchester are truly awe-inspiring, and the walks you can embark on nearby are perfect for a nature-filled trip this summer, come rain or shine.
Top UK waterfall walks near Greater Manchester
Hardraw Force, Yorkshire Dales
It’s claimed that Hardraw Force is England’s highest unbroken overground waterfall at 30m high. Located just outside Hardraw in the Yorkshire Dales, with the Pennine Way passing close by.
A rather unique feature of Hardraw Force is that, to view it, you have to go through a pub called the Green Dragon Inn (sounds like a good excuse). For movie fans, this waterfall was used in the film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves for the scene where Maid Marion catches Robin bathing under a waterfall (please note: nobody wants to see you re-create this).
Aira Force, Lake District
Arguably the most famous fall in the Lake District, Aira Force is located in Matterdale. Aira Force is a popular fall, so it can get quite busy, but it’s worth a visit as you can take in the surrounding Ullswater area as well. It’s an approximately 22m fall with a car park nearby for easier access.
Ingleton Waterfall Trail, Yorkshire Dales
The Ingleton Waterfall Trail is a route in the Yorkshire Dales taking in many beautiful waterfalls, including Pecca Falls, and the most famous of them all, ‘Thornton Force’, a tropical-looking 14 metre waterfall over a limestone cliff. The route is quite family-friendly and is an ideal day out for a picnic, and is well worth taking your camera.
Other top UK waterfall trails
High Force waterfall is a popular visitor attraction in Teesdale, with a visitor centre, car park and facilities on site. A well-maintained path through woodland leads to the waterfall, with impressive views of the River Tees along the way. Viewing platforms near the waterfall provide visitors with a safe place to take in the waterfall and the surrounding scenery.
With a drop of around 113 metres, the Falls of Glomach are one of the tallest in Britain, so you will have to put in the work to find them! Even the easiest route to find these falls clocks in at 11 miles. However, it is really worth it, and because it’s a little off the beaten track, it won’t be as busy with tourists. On top of the stunning falls, keep an eye out for wildlife including golden eagles, golden plovers, herds of red deer and wild goats.
Located just inside Wales in the Berwyn Mountains, near Oswestry and Shrewsbury, Pistyll Rhaeadr is another one of the largest falls in the UK and is listed as one of the ‘Seven Wonders of Wales’. It’s relatively easy access for all abilities, with a car park and tea room located at the bottom of the falls. There’s plenty of good walking to be had in the area, offering stunning views of the Welsh Countryside and a waterfall.
Top 10 UK waterfall trails
- High Force, County Durham (England) Difficulty: Moderate | Terrain: Open, Woodland, Rocky | Distance: 11.05 km | Time: 3:20 hrs
- Falls of Glomach, Ross-shire (Scotland)Difficulty: Moderate | Terrain: Open, Woodland, Hill | Distance: 18.35 km | Time: 6:25 hrs
- Pistyll Rhaeadr, Powys (Wales)Difficulty: Easy | Terrain: Open | Distance: 3.40 km | Time: 1:05 hrs
- Steall Falls, Glen Nevis (Scotland)Difficulty: Moderate | Terrain: Open, Woodland, Rocky | Distance: 3.30 km | Time: 1:10 hrs
- Hardraw Force, Yorkshire Dales (England)Difficulty: Easy | Terrain: Open, Hill | Distance: 11.33 km | Time: 3:20 hrs
- Aira Force, Lake District (England)Difficulty: Easy | Terrain: Open, Hill | Distance: 5.60 km | Time: 2:15 hrs
- Ingleton Waterfall Trail, Yorkshire Dales (England)Difficulty: Easy | Terrain: Open, Woodland, Rocky | Distance: 6.80 km | Time: 2:25 hrs
- Waterfall Country, Brecon Beacons (Wales)Difficulty: Easy | Terrain: Woodland | Distance: 7.80 km | Time: 2:45 hrs
- Becky Falls, Dartmoor (England)Difficulty: Easy | Terrain: Woodland | Distance: 11.90 km | Time: 3:55 hrs
- St. Nectan’s Glen, Cornwall (England)Difficulty: Easy | Terrain: Open, Woodland | Distance: 7.35 km | Time: 2:20 hrs
