Yorkshire Dales Waterfalls: 8 of the Best, from a Local
The Yorkshire Dales waterfalls are some of the easiest beautiful things to see in England: many are a short walk from a car park, a village green or, in one case, a pub. I live near Leyburn in Wensleydale, and the three I know best are Aysgarth Falls, Hardraw Force and the little waterfall at Harmby, just down the road from me.
This guide covers those three, plus the best of the rest across the Dales, from the small falls near Askrigg and West Burton to the Keld waterfalls in Swaledale, Janet’s Foss near Malham and the Ingleton Waterfalls Trail. I’ll be clear about which ones I’ve seen and which are researched.
Short on Time? My Top Three
- Aysgarth Falls, my favourite, especially the Lower Falls.
- Hardraw Force, a single tall drop behind my favourite pub in the Dales.
- Ingleton Waterfalls Trail (researched), if you want a proper half-day walk past a whole string of falls.
Yorkshire Dales Waterfalls at a Glance
| Waterfall | Where | Walk | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aysgarth Falls | Wensleydale | Easy woodland paths | Free (paid parking) |
| Hardraw Force | Wensleydale, near Hawes | Short, behind the Green Dragon | Small entry fee |
| Harmby waterfall | Harmby, near Leyburn | Circular walk from Leyburn | Free |
| Cauldron Falls | West Burton | A couple of minutes from the green | Free |
| Mill Gill Force | Askrigg | Under a mile from the village | Free |
| Keld waterfalls | Upper Swaledale | Easy to steep, depending on the fall | Free (parking charge) |
| Janet’s Foss and Gordale Scar | Malhamdale | Easy woodland walk from Malham | Free (paid parking) |
| Ingleton Waterfalls Trail | Ingleton | 4.5-mile circular trail, many steps | £11 adults |
Prices and opening times last checked October 2026.
Wensleydale Waterfalls (the Ones I Know Best)
1. Aysgarth Falls
Aysgarth Falls is my favourite waterfall in the Dales. It’s not one fall but three: the Upper, Middle and Lower Force, where the River Ure tumbles over wide limestone steps. Easy paths through the woodland link them, and the National Park Centre has a café and a car park. Turner painted the falls, Wordsworth visited, and they appeared in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves.
If you only see one section, make it the Lower Falls. That’s the part I like best. Go after heavy rain, when the river is at its most dramatic. In winter, the National Park Centre keeps shorter hours, so check before you go if you’re counting on the café.
2. Hardraw Force
Hardraw Force, near Hawes, drops about 30 metres (100 feet) in a single fall and is often called England’s highest unbroken waterfall above ground. It’s on private land behind the Green Dragon Inn, and you pay a small entry fee to walk up to it. Turner painted it, and both he and Wordsworth stayed at the Green Dragon. It’s my favourite pub in the Dales, so see the waterfall first and then go in for a drink.
3. Harmby Waterfall
This one is local knowledge. Harmby is a small village just east of Leyburn, and it has a waterfall that’s easy to miss. It’s smaller than Aysgarth or Hardraw, but it’s a nice reward on a walk: you can reach it on a circular walking route from Leyburn’s market place. If you’re staying in Leyburn, it’s an easy half-day outing.
4. Cauldron Falls, West Burton
West Burton, close to Aysgarth, is one of the prettiest villages in Wensleydale, built around a large green. Cauldron Falls is a couple of minutes’ walk away. It’s a small waterfall, but it’s easy to combine with Aysgarth Falls.
5. Mill Gill Force, Askrigg
From Askrigg, the village that played Darrowby in the original All Creatures Great and Small, a path of less than a mile leads to Mill Gill Force, a waterfall in a wooded ravine. For more on Askrigg and the other villages, see my guide to the Yorkshire Dales villages.
Swaledale: the Keld Waterfalls
Keld, at the top of Swaledale, has several waterfalls within walking distance of the village. I haven’t walked them myself, so this section is researched:
- East Gill Force is the closest to Keld and the easiest to reach.
- Kisdon Force has an upper and a lower fall, but the path down to them is steep and can be slippery, so it’s for confident walkers in good shoes.
- Catrake Force is reached by a path beside the river from Keld.
- Wain Wath Force is on the River Swale just upstream of Keld.
On the way up Swaledale, stop in Reeth, which has the view I’d show any friend first.
The Southern Dales: Malham and Ingleton
Janet’s Foss and Gordale Scar
From Malham village, an easy woodland walk leads to Janet’s Foss, a waterfall in the woods. Local legend says Janet, queen of the fairies, lived in a little cave behind it. Carry on and you reach Gordale Scar, a limestone gorge with waterfalls inside. Going further up the gorge means a difficult scramble with your hands on the rock, which isn’t for most visitors.
Add Malham Cove while you’re there: an 80-metre limestone cliff about a kilometre north of the village, where scenes from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows were filmed.
Ingleton Waterfalls Trail
If you want one walk with lots of waterfalls, this is it. The Ingleton Waterfalls Trail is a 4.5-mile circular walk along two rivers, the Twiss and the Doe. On the way you pass Pecca Falls, Thornton Force (which drops 14 metres over limestone), Beezley Falls and Snow Falls.
- Tickets: £11 for adults and £5.50 for children under 16, card only, paid on arrival.
- Opening: daily from 9am, except Christmas Day. Last entry is 2.30pm from November to February and later in summer.
- Time: allow 2 to 4 hours. The trail is graded strenuous, with lots of steps and some slippery sections, so it isn’t suitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs.
- Dogs: welcome, on a lead.
From a base in Wensleydale, I’d treat Malham and Ingleton as a day out each.
Tips for Visiting the Dales Waterfalls
- Go after rain. The falls are at their best after heavy rain, and a long dry spell can turn them into a trickle.
- Wear proper shoes. Riverside paths and rocks get wet and slippery, especially in autumn and winter.
- Budget for parking. Parking in the Dales is usually paid.
- Don’t rely on your phone. Signal is terrible in much of the Dales, so download offline maps before you set off.
- Take care by the water. Stay back from the edge on wet rocks, and keep a close eye on children.
Getting Around and Where to Stay
You really need a car to see several waterfalls in a day. Compare car hire on Booking.com. No car? A full-day Yorkshire Dales tour from York is the easiest way to see the Dales without driving.
For the Wensleydale falls, I’d base yourself in Leyburn: it’s close to Aysgarth and Harmby, and Hardraw is at the top of the same dale. See places to stay in Leyburn, or try Hawes for upper Wensleydale and Reeth for Swaledale. My guide to where to stay in the Yorkshire Dales compares all the bases, and my Yorkshire Dales itinerary fits the best falls into a 3 to 5 day trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best waterfall in the Yorkshire Dales?
For me it’s Aysgarth Falls, especially the Lower Falls. Hardraw Force is the most striking single drop, and the Ingleton Waterfalls Trail is the best walk if you want to see lots of falls in one go.
What is the highest waterfall in the Yorkshire Dales?
Hardraw Force, near Hawes, drops about 30 metres (100 feet) in a single fall and is often described as England’s highest unbroken waterfall above ground.
Do you have to pay to see Aysgarth Falls?
No, the falls are free to visit, but you pay to park. The National Park Centre car park is the most convenient.
How long is the Ingleton Waterfalls Trail?
It’s a 4.5-mile circular walk. Allow 2 to 4 hours, and expect a lot of steps.
Can you visit the Dales waterfalls in winter?
Yes. Paths can be muddy or icy, and the Ingleton trail’s last entry is 2.30pm from November to February, so start early. More tips in my guide to the Yorkshire Dales in winter.
Plan the Rest of Your Trip
- Combine the falls with the villages in my guide to the Yorkshire Dales villages.
- Coming from a city? See my day trips from Harrogate and day trips from York.
- Start with my Yorkshire Dales guide and Plan your Yorkshire trip.
