Orgate Force

Orgate Force

Take the Northern route out of Richmond up Swaledale (Hurgill Road then Clapgate Bank). 

After approx 5.5 Miles you will come to the village of Marske. 

There is room to park just after the road crosses Marske Beck. 

Take the single track road (Skelton Lane) to the end- approx 1.2 miles, then turn right. Walk down the bridleway until you come to the bridge. 

The Falls are upstream on your left. 

Although it is possible to drive up Skelton Lane, the bridleway at the end is surrounded by "No Parking" notices and the local farmer is none too happy with visitors (or wasn't when I was there!). The lane is too narrow to park on itself. 

Alternatively, follow the marked footpath alongside Marske Beck upstream, (Slightly longer) but be warned, it's boggy in places. 

After approx 450 yds there is a small bridge and just beyond some small falls, but access is difficult.

Skelton Lane route

Alternate route

Cliff Beck aka Scarr House Falls

Cliff Beck aka Scarr House Falls

A small but easy to reach waterfall. 

Park in the lay-by on the B6270, just before Thwaite (after the Cliff Gate Road Junc) walk back towards Muker for approx 250m . 

Opposite the first barn there is a small opening in the wall, go through then through the gate in front of you. the waterfall is on your right.

This is Private Land but there is an Honesty box by the gate - A couple of shillings helps keep the owners happy. I'm told they keep an eye on all visitors!

Kisdon Force

Kisdon Force

Another of the "Keld" Waterfalls and probably the trickiest to reach. 

Leave the car park by the entrance and cross to the sign post "Public Bridleway Coast to Coast" in the direction of Muker. 
Walk past the sign post to East Gill Force, After approx 600m there is a finger post, "FP Kidson Upper Force" showing the way to the Upper falls. This path is narrow and quite steep and slippery in parts. We managed to get down to the Falls with the help of some strategically placed bailing twine but this route is not recommended unless you are very fit. Walk past this first signpost and continue until you see a gap in the wall, go through here and follow the path back towards the falls. Although this route is still quite steep, it is easier than the first option but still slippy when wet.

Unless you enjoy abseiling, ignore this sign and continue onwards

The final part of "Route 1!"

Look out for this Hole in the Wall for the alternative option!

 Upper Falls

Upper Falls

View of Upper and Lower Falls

Lower falls

Lower falls

Currack Force

Currack Force

Another of the "Keld" Waterfalls, Currack Force requires a bit of an uphill walk. Venture past the turn off to Keld Hamlet, and park just after the right turn to Tan Hill. Walk back to the junction and walk uphill to the 2nd hairpin, Then take the track down hill. At the stone wall turn right and keeping this wall on your left, continue down to the falls. Total distance approx 500m 

East Gill Force

East Gill Force

Another of the "Keld" Waterfalls. 

As with Swinner Gill, Park in the Park Lodge Farm car park (Postcode DL11 6LJ). 

A small fee of £2 for all day parking is payable which helps pay for the toilets n showers.

Leave the car park and follow the footpath towards Thwaite & Muker. 

Take the first turn on the left and head down. 

It is quite steep and can be slippy in the wet. Once at the bottom you have a choice of going through the gate on your right, and starting photographing from the opposite side of the river Swale, or crossing the footbridge and "shooting" the drops at that side. 

Distance there is approximately 1/4 mile.

The Footbridge

Topmost drop

Middle Drop

 View from the other side

 Middle Section

Catrake (nr Keld)

Catrake (nr Keld)

One of several lovely waterfalls around Keld, Catrake is the only one I couldn't get to the bottom of. It may be possible by wading across the head of the falls when the water level is low then climbing down but as I didn't have my waders with me I didn't give it a try. If anyone knows of a way down, please let me know (I have seen photographs taken from the bottom so it should be possible!)

Park in the Park Lodge Farm  car park (Postcode DL11 6LJ), A small fee is payable which helps pay for the toilets n showers.

Catrigg Force

Catrigg Force

There are 2 ways to reach Catrigg Force, The Hard way, and an Easy way. 
The first (and hardest - in Purple) is accessed after a steady walk from Stainforth  up Goat Scar Lane for approx 1.5km. (Post code for Parking in Stainforth is BD24 9QD)

The second (and easier route -in Red) means taking the road between Langcliffe and Malham. Passing Winskill Stones look for a cattle grid, Park here and follow the footpath across to the Falls.

When you reach a gate signposted " Catrigg Force Only", then go down to the top of the fall. The lower drops can be accessed by a steep climb down the ravine but it is not easy and can be slippy when wet. Once down, the middle drops can be accessed by a tricky climb back up from the lower falls, but care should be taken!

 View from Top

 Upper Falls

Upper Falls

Middle Falls (Upper)

Middle falls (Lower)

Lower Falls

Aysgarth Falls.

Aysgarth Falls.

Aysgarth, Leyburn, North Yorkshire DL8 3TH (grid reference: SE 012 888)

The Falls actually consist of 3 Falls known as High, Middle and Lower. Parking for all 3 is at the National Parks Centre. Charges for parking are applicable. There are some smaller falls further down river, (see later)

Although there are pathways to each of the falls, Access to the High fall crosses bare rock, which can be slippy when wet. The middle fall can only be seen from a viewing platform down several steep steps, and the lower falls can only be accessed from the top - unless you are able to climb down a small gully.

For more information  see:-

http://www.yorkshiredales.org.uk/visit-the-dales/essential-information/tourist-information/aysgarth-falls-national-park-centre

Map of the route 

Upper Falls

Distance from visitor centre

Middle Falls only

Are you able to climb down the small gully?

Footpath to the top of the lower falls and way back

Lower Falls

Smaller falls 

Access to these is from the main A684 road.

If you're heading up the dale, heading through through Swinithwaite, go past the first turning to West Burton and then just past the "famous" Aysgarth "AA telephone Box",

where the road bends to the left, (before the bridge) there is a lay-by on the right hand side. 

Park here and, watching out for traffic, head forward over the bridge.

Look out for the footpath which crosses diagonally across the field.

Follow this through the gate at the other end then along the bank to the falls. 

When it was really dry, earlier this year, I managed to walk down stream from the Lower falls to these smaller ones, using the dried up river bed!

AA Telephone Box

Head forward over the bridge

Diagonally across the field

Through the gate

I'm not sure about this? 

Lower, Lower falls!