High Force Waterfall Walk - North Pennines

This is an easy walk taking you first to Low Force waterfall, then to High Force Waterfall. It’s shorter and easier than I like my walks to be, however, I actually really enjoyed it.

Both waterfalls were really impressive. I hadn’t seen a good waterfall for a while. We tried a few around Europe this summer, but they were all dried up. These ones were nice and forcy.

High Force waterfall plunging down the rocks into the river below on a circular walk in the North Pennines. The river and waterfall are surrounded by forest trees with green and orange leaves.

Low Force waterfall dropping down into the river Tees as it flows between the rocky sides, on the walk towards High Force waterfall.

The river tees surround by rocky banks with masses of woodland trees on top, on the walk to High Force waterfall in the North Pennines.

To see both waterfalls, you will be following the River Tees, on a well laid out trail, with the occasional more rocky bit.

the river tees flowing through the woodland, with green and orange leaves.

The river tees surround by woodland trees in shades of green and orange on the circular walk to High Force waterfall. there is a rainbow across the river.

In this guide I’m going to tell you a bit about the waterfall, and what to expect on the walk. I will provide logistics, map, tips, and a full route description with photos

What is High Force Waterfall?

Well, there’s the obvious. It’s a waterfall. To be more specific, it’s where the River Tees drops 21 meters into a deep plunge Pool.

The word force doesn’t come from the fact that it feels powerful and forcy, but rather, the word ‘foss’, which is the Old Norse word for waterfall, from the Vikings.

Fun Fact: The North Pennies was once at the equator, and some of the rocks you see behind the High Force Waterfall were formed during this time, 330 million years ago.

The layers of rock you can see, starting from the top layer and moving down are Whin Sill, Sandstone, and Limestone.

Alternate routes for the High Force Waterfall Walk

We made the walk to High Force Waterfall into a circular, which I would recommend over there and back. The circular will take you slightly higher up for the way back, but not so much that you notice an uphill. It gives you a nice view of the landscape and hills, and you will walk alongside stone walls.

Looking down the hill to the fields below in patchwork green and orange in the North Pennines AONB. There are sheep grazing in the green field.

You also have the option to see High Force Waterfall from the other side of the river, lower down. To get there, you would need to cross over the bridge halfway along the trail, and follow the river to reach the waterfall. There isn’t a bridge crossing at the waterfall itself. I will show you when I describe the walk below.

Logistics for the circular walk to High Force Waterfall

Start/Finish: A lay-by style car park on the side of the road (B6277) in Bowlees.
How to get there: If you locate the Bowlees visitor centre on Google Maps, on the main road leading up to it, there is a place to park your car on the side of the road. From there, it’s a short walk along the road in the direction of west to reach the start of the trail. Or, there is also another small section along the side of the road a little further along, right at the start of the trail. This is where we started. Both of these are free parking. You can see the exact location on my map below.

A man standing on the side of a road, with a blue parking sign behind him, and a trail signpost on the left. — This is the lay-by parking we started at, next top the trail start.

Time: 1h 40min
Distance: 4 miles circular
Terrain: Dirt/gravel/grass trail. A suspension bridge. Some rocks.
Difficulty: Easy
Time of year: We did this is Autumn
Amenities: None on this walk (apart from the car park lay-by)
Dog Friendly: No livestock noted for the walk to High Force Waterfall along the riverside trail. There was livestock for the loop back through the fields. No stiles.

Tips for the High Force Waterfall walk

Windproof jacket. I don’t know if this is a regular occurrence, but it was crazy windy when we did it.

To see the High Force Waterfall from different perspectives, on the walk back along the riverside trail after you have reached High Force, cross over the bridge, and walk back towards the waterfall. You will be taken to a road briefly, then back onto the trail to reach it.
Trainers are fine for this walk. A warning though, if it’s been raining, there will be some puddles.
When I read about the High Force Waterfall online, it seemed like you have to pay to see it. £2.50 per adult. However, this was not the case for us. I’m not sure if it’s because we are out of season, or maybe you have to pay to see it from the other side. I don’t know. Just incase, take some money.

Map for the circular walk to High Force Waterfall

You can find my more detailed route guide on AllTrails.

More local walking ideas and routes will be at the end

High Force Waterfall Walk Guide

Just next to the road, you should see a trail sign, leading you over the stone wall and into a field. Continue straight down the field, with the fence to your right. When you reach a gate on the right, go through it and into the woods on the other side of the field.

A man walking through a green grass field, with a wire fence and trees on the right.

A wooden gate in the stone wall, leading to a path which ruins through a field to the woodland.

Low Force Waterfall

Continuing straight through the woods, very soon you will have Low Force Waterfall to your right. It’s just before the bridge. I almost missed it and was heading straight for the bridge. It’s only when Ollie said ‘theres a waterfall over there’ that it clicked.

An open area in the woodland, with rocks visible ahead out of the woods.

As I said earlier, I was super impressed with this one. Given that this is not the main event of the walk, I was really excited to see what came next.

To continue on the trail, cross over the bridge and turn right. You will get a view to Low Force Waterfall from another perspective. Just as good.

A narrow suspension bridge leading to the woods, on the walk towards High Force waterfall.

We saw some mountain rescuers in training here. Jumping in the water. I felt cold just watching them.

Walk towards High Force Waterfall

The trail for the rest of the walk to High Force Waterfall is super easy to follow. Just keep to the path next to the River Tees. The terrain varies from dirt to rocks. At some points a bit more rocky.

Rocky stone steps leading uphill out of the woods.

A man walking along a path, with a grass back and trees on the right and a grass path and wire fence on the left.

The dirt trail leading to a rocky small uphill section, with bushes and trees to the right of the trail.

A path with a wire fence and field to the left, and the rocky partially exposed river bed to the right, and trees lining the path ahead.

A man walking along a path, on the circular walk route to High Force waterfall. there is a wire and wooden fence on the left, and a cottage on the hill ahead on the left.

When you reach the bridge, you have two options. Continue on this side, to walk to the high viewpoint of the waterfall. Or, cross over the bridge and follow the river to see it from low down. We didn’t go that way, so I can’t say what it’s like.

But we did go onto the bridge to see the cows drinking from the river. Like watching wild beasts on safari, drinking from their water source.

A group of cows drinking from the river tees on the walk to High Force waterfall.

Continuing on the walk on this side of the river, although now you will be a little further away from it.

A gravel path surround by fern, with trees ahead. There is a puddle on the path.

When you reach the end where the trail goes left and right, choose right. Continue walking for a few more meters, and you will reach the the High Force Waterfall viewpoint.

There are a few rocks here you can sit on, but be warned, there is a bit of spray from the waterfall. It’s also very windy, so we didn’t last long before turning back.

Start the walk back

The first part of the way back is along the same trail. This is where we caught a bit of rain. It passed quickly though, and left us with a wonderful rainbow. Actually, a double rainbow.

A double rainbow over the woodland trees on the High Force waterfall in the North Pennines.

When you reach the gate, with a cottage straight ahead, this is where you must decide what you want to do next.

Through the gate, if you take the left trail, this will lead you all the way back to the start, the way you came. The bridge is also a short way along there, if you want to cross it and walk to High Force Waterfall on the other side. For this walk though, take the right grass trail leading to the cottage.

A grass trail running straight along the top of the hill, towards a cottage. — Take the right trail here

The fields, the stone wall, and the cottages

Keep going straight through the next gate, heading towards the stone wall ahead. The trail takes you along the right side of the wall, and past some ruins.

A large grass field, with a couple of sheep grazing, and some stone walls separating the fields ahead. — You are heading to that wall ahead

A wide path running through the stone wall, to a hill and alongside another stone wall ahead.

Small building ruins on a green grass field, with a hill with bushes on the other side of it.

Keep following this trail, all the way until you reach a left turn towards another cottage.

The path running through the field with a stone wall on the right, and hills and woodland trees ahead.

A man walking along a gravel path towards a farm shed. There is a stone wall on the left and green grass field on the right.

A trail track running straight through a large open field, with some woodland trees and hills ahead in the distance.

Looking across the overgrown grass to a small cottage nestled just in front of some woodland, along the High Force waterfall circular walk. — That’s the cottage over there

Now, when you reach the next gate, I think you can go through it and follow the trail all the way past the cottage. This is not when we did, as on my map, the trail seemed to be a dead end. However, once we made it to the other side (a different way), it looked like the trail wasn’t a dead end. I might suggest trying that route as it looked easier.

What we did, rather than walking through the gate, is turn left to walk along the edge of the field, with the stone wall to our right, then crossed over it at the bottom. It was a little boggy, and the climb over the wall is on sticking out slabs of rock.

A man walking along the side of a stone wall which ruins down through the large field with overgrown grass.

Once over, we crossed the stream, and walked alongside it (stream to our right). This then joins with that trail we didn’t take.

A small stream on the right, running through the field. There are a few straggly trees next to the stream.

Walk back to Low Force Waterfall

Following the trail, through another gate and over a wooden walkway, head straight across the small field, towards some woodland.

A grass trail through the field, which is enclosed by a stone wall, with woodland trees ahead on the other side of it.

A wooden trail signpost pointing ahead in the large green grass field. There is a mass of woodland trees on the other side of the field. — This sign is just passed the wooden walkway

At the woodland, turn left. Also, make sure to look to the right for a lovely little hill shed.

A grass trail leading downhill towards some woodland, near the end of the High Force waterfall circular walk. The trail is lined with fern. — You turn left into the woodland

A small shed on top of a hill in the distance, near the end of the High Force waterfall walk. — The nice shed to look out for

Once you turn left into the woods, the trail will take you to that bridge from the start, and to Low Force Waterfall.

The end of the walk

From here, simply make your way back the way you came. For guidance, in case you are not sure, continue straight from the bridge, through the woods, then up a small hill to reach a field.

Walk to the other side of the field, and turn left after the gate. This will take you back to the main road.

A path through a field, with a stoner wall and wooden fence ahead. There are white coloured houses ahead in the distance.

A man walking along thew side of a green grass field, with a stone wall to his left.

It was on this bit that I first noticed the little hut like things on the hills ahead to the right. I imagined the top one being my little home on the hill. Looking down over my kingdom.

Looking across the grass field, with a stone wall on the other side, then a hill beyond it with three small white coloured huts on the hill.

More walking ideas in the North Pennines

I highly recommend walking to Cauldron Snout. If you like rocks, a bit of scrambling, and a feeling of total seclusion, then this one is for you.

I had other walks planned for my trip to the North Pennines, however, the weather had other plans for me. They will have to wait for another time.

For more info about the area and other things to do, you can check out the North Pennines website.

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High Force Waterfall walk guide, north Pennines.

High Force Waterfall Walk – North Pennines