Aysgarth Falls in the winter in full flow

Aysgarth Falls, Wensleydale

Aysgarth Falls is a classic linear family walk that will take you along well walked trails and through Freeholders’ Woods too, making it a perfect woodland and waterfall combination!

Aysgarth Falls are legendary.

A series of waterfalls and cascades along the River Ure at Aysgarth in Wensleydale, Aysgarth Falls are well known for their beauty and for being a filming location for Robin Hood Prince of Thieves (along with Hardraw Force just down the road!) If a bit of classy culture is more your thing, then the artist Turner was also a bit of a fan! (I’d probably take Robin Hood though…..)

But not only are these falls famous, they are beautiful! The middle and lower falls are surrounded by the woodland of Freeholders’ Wood which is glorious in the later Summer and Autumn, but it is during the Winter that the waterfalls really come into their own! In the Summer, they can get pretty low and although that means you can explore them up close, they aren’t as furious as they are in the colder months! (And I like furious!)

So for all my waxing lyrical about Aysgarth Falls, what I can say for sure is that they are an all year rounder!

Part of this walk is pushchair friendly, parts are accessible with a carrier only. The path to the upper falls can be very muddy near the road.

Looking down the steps to the middle waterfalls of Aysgarth

What are the walk details for Aysgarth Falls?

Terrain: Easy underfoot, these trails are clear and well maintained. The route is waymarked, and clearly marked on signposts at the Yorkshire Dales Centre.

Parking: Yorkshire Dales Centre, Aysgarth Falls.

Public Transport: Yes! There are buses running to Aysgarth, check the Dales Bus website for times as these are subject to seasonal changes.

Dog Friendly: Dogs on leads are welcome.

Location: Aysgarth, Wensleydale, North Yorkshire

Map: OS Explorer OL30

What 3 Words: squeezed.lawn.quits

Toilets/ Baby Change: At Yorkshire Dales Centre Car Park

Nearest Cafe/ Amenities: The Yorkshire Dales Centre, Aysgarth and at the Mill Race Tea Shop on the bridge in Aysgarth. The Yorkshire Dales Centre has a cafe which serves light bites, cakes, hot drinks and AWESOME Gelato. The Mill Race Teashop has a great selection of homemade bakes, light lunches and locally sourced products.

Standing at the Lower Falls in Aysgarth

How to get to Aysgarth Falls

  1. This is a very well maintained and well way marked route. There is a trail map at the Yorkshire Dales Centre too, so this route description will be brief! And I might even say it’s impossible to get lost….

  2. Starting from the Yorkshire Dales Centre, head through the car park to the far end (the opposite end to the visitor centre). You will see this is signposted High Falls. Head down the path which runs alongside the road and through the gate at the right hand side of the bridge. Keep walking straight on, and then through a gate to your left. The path takes you right up to the edge of the falls, and this part of the walk is pushchair friendly (albeit muddy in parts). During dry periods, a lot of the falls are accessible on foot, and when the river is calm, it is possible to paddle here. There are also picnic benches located here.

  3. Head back to where you came (this is a there and back again route, which takes in all three of the Aysgarth Waterfalls.)

  4. This time at the Yorkshire Dales Centre, exit the car park and turn right along the path at the side of the road. As the road turns a corner, you will see a waymarked gate on the opposite side of the road. You need to head through here into Freeholders’ Wood.

  5. Head along the wide track. You will see the first viewing platform for middle falls on your right, shortly after entering the woods. The viewing platform is down some steps. You cannot access middle falls up close, nor is this viewing platform accessible to pushchairs or wheelchairs, but there is a level pull in spot at the top of the steps.

  6. Head back up to the path and turn right. Continue along the wide track until you reach the lower falls (these are our favourites!) This part of the path is stepped. It is not far from here to the viewing platform for the lower falls. It is possible here to get right to the edge of the waterfalls. Please be aware of the fact that the rocks will be slippery when wet, and there are steep unguarded drops so don’t get too close!

  7. It is possible to get further along the riverbank. At the stepped path descending to the lower falls, there is a path offshoot straight on through the woodland. This takes you to an access point, which leads down to the river bank. After periods of dry weather, you can then walk up stream to the based of the lower falls. Be wary that the limestone can get very slippery too.

  8. Head back where you came from!

Last Walked in December 2023.

Looking over the bridge to upper Aysgarth Falls
Playing in the Upper falls of Aysgarth in Summer
Swtanding next to the Upper Falls in Winter

Here are the Upper falls in Summer…

This is the same part of the falls, but in February

Jumping in front of Aysgarth Falls

What’s cool for kids at Aysgarth Falls?

✨ Not only are the Upper Falls of Aysgarth famous for having Kevin Costner tumble spectacularly down them in the Little John fight scene in Robin Hood Prince of Thieves, they have been a tourist attraction for around 200 years! The lower falls and middle falls were depicted by Turner and they were also visited by Wordsworth as well.

👻 There is a little ghost story about Aysgarth Falls. The bridge over the falls is supposed to be haunted by a ghostly horse and carriage, the mill buildings by a ghostly former owner, and the side of the road by an old lady with a walking stick…. wooooooh! For more ghost stories about the Yorkshire Dales, check out our Ghostly Tales of the Dales blog!

💦 The Falls themselves are fairly accessible, and the waters edge is reachable in decent weather. However, bear in mind this is a river and levels can rise suddenly and without warning. Please also be aware that the limestone is slippery underfoot, and under the surface of the water there are many, many little eroded holes. Whilst, we had a little paddle here after a period of dry weather, this will change after wet weather, and care needs to be taken when supervising children around water at all times.

🍦 ICE CREAM! Some ridiculously tasty Gelato can be found at the Yorkshire Dales Centre along with cakes and light bites. There is also ice cream and more at the Mill Race Teashop located in the mill on the bridge over the River Ure.

☕ And speaking of tasty treats… make sure you head to the Mill Race Tearoom to check out their range of homemade cakes and tasty light bites! You can find more pub and cafe walks on that page!

🌳 Freeholders’ Wood is an ancient woodland, which is a haven for many rare species of plant and animal. As well as stick collecting, leaf collecting or habitat hunting, why not check out some of our nature activities or walking games?

Climbing a tree in Freeholder Woods

Helpful Information!

⭐ We hope you enjoy our walks, but please exercise common sense as routes can change with the weather conditions and seasons! The routes have been walked by our own two feet, but you know your own limits. Always take a back-up map, don’t rely on GPS alone, wear appropriate clothing for the weather and take adequate snacks and refreshments with you (although as a parent, I know you already know that bit!)

⭐ Leave no trace! Take nothing away and leave nothing behind, take all rubbish home with you.

⭐ If you choose to paddle, be aware of bio security. Always wear clean dry water shoes (if worn) to avoid cross contamination of species between watercourses, this is a particular issue in the Yorkshire Dales, to help protect the white clawed crayfish.

⭐ If you decide to paddle, be aware that wild water can be dangerous, and water levels will vary season to season. Always supervise children around water. Check out the safety information on the Royal Life Saving Society website.

Playing in Aysgarth Falls in the autumn leaves
Looking at Cauldron Falls after heavy rain

We have another walk that takes in Aysgarth falls…

This one starts in the nearby village of West Burton and takes in Cauldron Falls as well as the Aysgarth ones too! With spectacular views across Wensleydale and a little play area and pub too, it’s a walk we love!

It’s a little longer than this one, and is a circular too.

Why not take a look?

Scroll using the arrows for all our Family Friendly Walks

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