“Quietly over the bridge,” My mum’s whisper echoes in my mind, “You don’t want to wake the troll.” As a child, I was mesmerized by the crashing waters beneath Heber’s Ghyll bridges. There was something magical about crossing the waterfalls; beguiling enough to persuade me to brave the trolls.
Growing older, my checklist of Yorkshire waterfalls grew too. Bundled into the backseat, my family whisked me to all the classics: from Ingleton Waterfalls to Janet’s Foss. Now, as an adult behind the steering wheel, I take great delight in revisiting the best of the bunch.
Here’s my take on the best waterfalls in Yorkshire — it’s not short of showstoppers.
1. Janet’s Foss, Malham
Access: 5km from Malham village
What3words: ///earth.famous.ownership
For waterfalls in the Yorkshire Dales, it doesn’t get prettier than Janet’s Foss. The waterfall is full of tufa deposits from the natural levels of calcium carbonate in the water. This tufa gives Janet’s Foss a pastel-turquoise colour – making it a photogenic waterfall to visit. It crashes straight into a waist-height plunge pool, popular amongst wild swimmers.
The National Trust has a great route map to walk from Malham to Janet’s Foss, and Malham itself is connected to Skipton by regular bus services: no car necessary. Just keep your eyes out for Jennet! Janet’s Foss is rumoured to be the home of Jennet, the Queen of Fairies.
2. Cautley Spout, Sedbergh
Access: 3.3km from a small parking area on the A683 between Sedbergh and Kirkby Stephen
What3words: ///roost.relegate.will
Cautley Spout is a beast of a waterfall, tumbling a dramatic 198m over multiple drops. Start the walk from the A683 or Sedbergh Information Centre (a slightly longer walk of roughly two hours each way). As England’s highest cascade waterfall above ground, it’s one of the most impressive of Yorkshire Dales waterfalls, especially after periods of heavy rain.
For swimming, the safety of the plunge pools at Cautley Spout is hotly debated. If wild swimming is your priority, it’s probably best to pick Janet’s Foss or Wain Wath (skip ahead to no. 7).
3. Hardraw Force, Hardraw
Access: A straightforward 2.5km footpath
What3words: ///fades.palettes.decanter
For “wow factor,” Hardraw Force takes the biscuit every time. As the highest unbroken, above-ground waterfall in England, it’s a record-breaking Yorkshire Dales waterfall.
Hardraw Force is easy to reach but has a small entrance fee of £4 per adult. Arriving at Green Dragon Pub, there is a ticketed entrance in the parking area at the back. From there, it’s a laidback stroll across wooden footbridges and through ancient British woodland. The waterfall falls over 30 metres in a single drop – justifying the humble contribution towards site upkeep.
4. Ingleton Waterfalls, Ingleton
Access: A 7km trail through a private estate
What3words: ///chief.warthog.intend
Ingleton Waterfalls are another paid experience that offers bang for your buck. This 7km circular track passes six main waterfalls: Pecca Falls, Hollybush Spout, Beezley Falls, Baxenghyll Gorge, Snow Falls, and Thornton Force. Walkable in 2.5 hours, Ingleton Waterfalls are ideal for experiencing a variety of falls, especially for those with limited time in the Yorkshire Dales. Keep an eye out for Thornton Force in particular; it’s one of the most sought-after waterfalls in the Dales.
5. Stainforth Force, Stainforth
Access: 9km out-and-back walk from Settle
What3words: ///ethic.steep.postings
Stainforth Force is your classic waterfall: frothing cascades, deep plunge pools, and a woodland backdrop. Between September and November, though, a specific phenomenon attracts its special crowd. For patient onlookers, you can spot salmon jumping at Stainforth Force each autumn. The salmon travel upstream to their birthplace to lay their eggs – jumping over boulders and up waterfalls in their path.
6. Middle Falls, Buckden
Access: <1km from off-road parking along Park Lane, past Cray
What3words: ///dart.firelight.origins
Google Maps shows Middle Falls as randomly located in a field, but rest assured, it’s ridiculously easy to find. Leaving Cray by car and keeping an eye out the driver’s window, this tiered waterfall appears from nowhere. Parking is limited along the Park Lane bend (be wary of large drops when driving a low-clearance vehicle), but it takes less than two minutes to reach the falls. Wellies are essential; these fields get boggy.
7. Aysgarth Falls, Aysgarth
Access: A network of 1 to 4km walks from the National Park Visitor Centre
What3words: ///dressy.riding.heckler
This triple cascade has attracted visitors for centuries, including Wordsworth and Turner. Set amidst ancient woodland, Aysgarth Falls is surrounded by leafy trails. Lucky visitors might even spot wandering roe deer. The Yorkshire Dales National Park has an excellent trail map here.
8. Wain Wath Force, Keld
Access: <1km from off-road parking at B6270
What3words: ///slang.recliner.pixel
Wild swimmers? You’ve found your match made in heaven. Located just outside of Keld, Wain Wath Force is known for its deep plunge pool. For a proper swim — not a waist-height wade — it’s your best option from all the waterfalls in the Yorkshire Dales. Parking is limited, but the waterfall and its plunge pool are wide: it’s worth parking at Keld and still visiting on a busy day. There is enough space for lots of swimmers.
9. Cauldron Falls, West Burton
Access: An easy 2.5km loop
What3words: ///runways.unusable.spike
Also known as West Burton Falls, this picturesque cascade caught Turner’s eye during his painting trip across Yorkshire. Set against a woodland backdrop, it’s incredibly photogenic in autumn, when orange foliage reaches its prime. From West Burton, it’s a pushchair-friendly walk – perfect for family days out.
10. Hoggarts Leap, Keld
Access: <1 km from Rukin’s Campsite’s parking area
What3words: ///argue.scrub.solving
Marked by signposts reading warning drivers that the road “only leads to Keld,” this stone village has an atmospheric “end-of-the-road” vibe. Most walkers dash straight to Kisdon and East Gill Force, a 20-minute walk along the Coast-to-Coast Trail. Instead, though, park at Rukin’s campsite and take the right-hand fork — heading downhill towards the riverbank. Entering a camping field, turn right and walk through a gap in the fence line. Only a short walk down a slippery path is Hoggarts Leap.
11. Valley of Desolation Waterfall, Skipton
Access: A network of trails from Cavendish Pavilion, Bolton Abbey
What3words: ///repaid.bottled.prettiest
Straddling 30,000 acres, Bolton Abbey Estate is full of twists and turns. One pathway leads to the Valley of Desolation Waterfall, a tiered cascade set against a wooded moorland backdrop. On foot, it’s only a short distance from Cavendish Pavilion, but for a 13km adventure, tackle the full Cavendish Pavilion to Simon Seat’s Loop.
12. Gordale Scar, Malham
Access: An accessible 600m trail with limited parking at Gordale Bridge
What3words: ///perch.dynamics.vocal
Gordale Scar is an interesting Yorkshire Dales waterfall, as throughout summer, it dries completely. Wait until late autumn to experience Gordale in all its flooded glory. Accessing the falls via its 600m footpath is an experience in itself, with granite-speckled slopes along the way. Anyone who watched The Witcher will recognise this gorge: here, Ciri was filmed being chased by a monster.
Been to one of these spots before? Drop any recommendations for waterfalls in the Yorkshire Dales and suggestions for other readers in the comments below.
