Secret Yorkshire Dales Waterfalls
Where are the secret waterfalls of the Yorkshire Dales?
Well. If I told you, it wouldn’t be a secret would it….?
And if I didn’t it would be the world’s shortest blog!
Now waterfall hunting is one of our favourite things to do, EVER all year round! But what makes the experience a whole lot more fun is working for that waterfall! Because if you do, the likelihood is that there will be far fewer people there!
Do I hear a ‘woo-hoo’ from the chronically anti-social folk at the back?! Hope so, because I’m sitting right there with you!!
So whilst we have a special place in our hearts for Queen Janet’s Foss, we love a trip to Hardraw Force, and Aysgarth as well just because of the Robin Hood vibes. But secret waterfalls, they are NOT! Oh no. In fact, once I read that Janet’s Foss was a secret waterfall and I nearly spat out me brew!
Here are some waterfalls that are just a little bit more peaceful, but are still just as beautiful which makes them super special too!
Mill Gill Force in Wensleydale
But before we even get to the waterfalls…
This is probably the most important thing that you’ll read.
Leave no trace.
It’s not a secret that the outdoors has become very popular in recent years. Quite rightly too! The benefits of getting outside and in nature are huge and are really far reaching (you can read about the benefits of the outdoors on mental health in our blog) but one thing is repeatedly forgotten.
The countryside code and leave no trace principals.
So before we launch into a waterfall hunting mission…. remember.
BBQs are banned. Leave it at home.
TAKE YOUR LITTER HOME and pick up any you see even if it’s not yours.
Respect local signage and stick to paths when requested unless greater access is allowed - ie right to roam land (this is for whole host of reasons like preventing erosion, protecting delicate species or ground nesting birds)
Do not park like an idiot. To put it clearly, imagine if you found yourself needing emergency support (an ambulance, mountain rescue or the police) and they couldn’t reach you because you’d narrowed the road with your car. Probably be quite upset, wouldn’t you. Don’t block access to fields, gates, driveways. Don’t park in passing places, because they’re there for a reason, and don’t narrow access roads so the emergency services can’t get through.
You may think I’m labouring that point but every single situation listed above, I have seen with my own eyes.
The outdoors is for everybody, but not those who can’t respect it.
Aysgill Force
I love this walk!
Aysgill is a stunning waterfall in Wensleydale (well technically Sleddale, but I’ll be you’ve never heard of that!) and the likes of Aysgill Force is totally overshadowed by the biggest over ground waterfall, Hardraw and the Hollywood famous, Aysgarth. But there’s more to Wensleydale than may meet the eye, and Aysgill is one of those stunning gems that is regularly overlooked in favour of its more famous cousins. Which also makes it quieter!
The route starts in Hawes (also has a stunning town centre waterfall) then heads to Gayle (another beautiful village centre waterfall) before heading onto Aysgill.
Be aware that the waterfall is found in a stunning wooden glade. Viewing is from above, the bottom is not accessible. (There are some steep unguarded drops)
How do I get to Aysgill Force?
You can follow our detailed route instructions on our Aysgill Force walk page!
Where do I park for Aysgill Force?
There are large pay and display car parks in Hawes where you can also find the Hawes Ice Cream Parlour!
Force Gill, Whernside
Located on the side of Whernside, just near the Ribblehead Viaduct, Force Gill feels like it shouldn’t be very secret at all, Whernside being one of the famous Yorkshire Three Peaks (and the biggest one at that!)
But a walk to Force Gill will not take you up to the top of Whernside, because it is nestled right underneath it! Visible from the path heading up to the summit, you can take a detour off the well beaten track to get right up close and personal to this cracking waterfall.
So secret? Perhaps not. But quiet? Yes! We’ve visited this stunning set of falls regularly, but only ever seen one or two people who’ve taken the time to go and see it!
So yes. It’s safe to say it is hidden in plain sight!
How do I get to Force Gill?
Check out our Force Gill walk, where you’ll find a full route description of how to find this stunning spot!
Where can I park for Force Gill on Whernside?
There is ample parking located alongside the road near the Ribblehead Viaduct.
We also love the beer garden at The Station pub at Ribblehead . Tasty food, with an epic view!
Buckden Beck Waterfalls
Buckden Beck is located just underneath Buckden Pike in Upper Wharfedale in the Yorkshire Dales. These waterfalls are brilliant, and are once again overlooked massively because they aren’t on the edge of a well walked footpath!
Despite the fact that they are only a short uphill stroll from the car park, you’ll regularly find them very peaceful and with several sets of cascades to see, they are truly a beautiful spot for a wander.
How do I get to Buckden Beck Waterfalls?
The higher you climb, the more spectacular the falls are, but there is a point where the path definitely stops being kid friendly and that’s where we stop too!
You can check out our Buckden Beck waterfall walk here for the full route description.
*Be aware that historically there has been an instance of falling rocks and the path towards the upper falls has now got a small section that has slipped. The lower falls are best to explore with the kids.
Where do I park to get to Buckden Beck Waterfalls?
The Yorkshire Dales car park is a pay and display car park in Buckden, and it handily has toilets too!
There is also a pub in Buckden.
Whitfield Gill Force, Wensleydale
This waterfall is an absolute belter. And again, is hidden in plain sight!
The waterfall is starred on an ordinance survey map (basically that means it’s something super!) but to actually get down to the edge of it, you have to go a little off path, and head on up alongside the beck.
The reward for being a little bit adventurous, is the experience of standing at the foot of an epicly huge watefall!
How do I find Whitfield Gill Force?
The walk to Whitfiedl Gill takes you past Mill Gill Force as well, which is much more easily accessible than its buddy. Head to Mill Gill and Whitfield Gill Force walk to see the full route description.
Where do I park for Whitfield Gill Force?
A little less accessible than some of the other secret waterfalls above, the walk begins at the honesty box car park at Askrigg.
Cray Gill Waterfalls
To wander along Cray Gill is like a dream for a waterfall lover! But to get to some of the best drops, you have to wander a little off the path!
The kids estimate that there are 11ty billion waterfalls hidden in Cray Gill. I’m pretty sure that’s an exaggeration, but there are a right lot. And it makes this walk one of our absolute favourites. In fact, writing about it, is making me want to go again…..
How do I get to Cray Gill Waterfalls?
Cray is a teeny tiny hamlet at the head of Upper Wharfedale. For a hamlet with a few houses (and a pub…. obvs!) it has a ridiculous number of watefalls! You can park at Buckden Car Park and walk the short distance to the hamlet. If you try to park in Cray it’s a bit pot luck. Our Cray Gill walk with a full route description can be found here!
Oh and did I mention this walk has three pubs on it….. Just saying…
Where do I park for Cray Gill Watefalls?
You can park at the Yorkshire Dales pay and display car park at Buckden. There is some parking at Cray but it’s very hit and miss, and I always worry I will be in the way!
Gaping Gill, Ingleborough
Located on the side of another of the Yorkshire Three Peaks, Ingleborough, Gaping Gill is a natural phenomenon that you cannot miss. I mean, this is the MOST secret waterfall of allllllll tiiiiiiime!
Well you could miss it, because 95% of the time it is completely inaccessible to all except the most experienced cavers. That is until the Gaping Gill winches occur.
Run by two local caving clubs, the winches are the ONLY way to access this awe inspiring location if you are a mere Muggle like me! So if you absolutely want to channel your inner Stranger Things vibe and head right into the Upside Down, check out the websites of Craven potholing club and the Bradford Potholing Club, for dates and details. The next winch meet at the time of writing is 12th - 19th August 2022 with the Craven Potholing Club. The Bradford PC winch takes place typically around May bank holiday.
How do I get to Gaping Gill?
Well, you are IN LUCK! because even if you cannot visit on a winch day, the walk to Gaping Gill is still well worth a trip on any other day. Check out our walk description for our Clapham to Gaping Gill walk here.
Where can I park for Gaping Gill?
You can park at the Yorkshire Dales pay and display car park at Clapham.
Cow Close Waterfall, near Cray
Ah this one will truly get you channelling your inner adventurer!
Located on public access land, you have to exercise your right to roam to find this one, and it’s worth it! Because LOOK! The cascades of this beauty are incredible, and of course you get the absolute phwoooooar of a Yorkshire Dales view too! Not a bad place to dip your toes either…
How do I get to Cow Close waterfall?
You can find the full walk description for Cow Close waterfall here!
Where can I park to get to Cow Close waterfall?
You can park at Buckden pay and display car park.
The Chapter House Waterfall, Yordas Cave, Kingsdale
This epically located waterfall is right inside the ex Victorian Show cave, but you will have to channel your inner explorer to find it, as you’ll get nowhere near it without a high beam torch!
And no, your phone torch will not even scratch the surface!
Yordas cave is located in Kingsdale, which is a stone’s throw from Ingleton at the far South Western edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. It is beautifully remote, and pretty easy to access too.
How do I get to Yordas Cave?
You can find the full route description on how to get to Yordas Cave here!
Where can I park to get to Yordas Cave?
You can find roadside parking outside the cave, and the full details can be found on the link above!
We LOVE to eat at the Marton Arms in Thornton in Lonsdale. A top pub, family friendly and a brilliant beer garden!
Secret Yorkshire Dales Waterfalls
Cotter Force, Hawes
There is a long way to go to make the wilds of our National Parks accessible to all. But Cotter Force is a wonderfully accessible waterfall, and you know what? It’s pretty quiet too! Once again, off the beaten track, this one is located just outside Hawes, and whilst I say ‘off the beaten track’ it’s not.
Because this walk is wheelchair and pushchair accessible.
It’s short, it’s one of the Access the Dales routes, but despite them being few and far between, this one is quiet, and peaceful and was also painted by Turner….. he likes the Dales!
How do I get to Cotter Force?
Check out our walk description for Cotter Force here!
You’ll find all the walk details as well as the details of where to park!
Are you addicted to Waterfalls?
We can totally sympathise, because so are we! So addicted, that we have a whole page dedicated to them!