Swimming in Wain Wath Waterfalls

Directions to Keld Waterfalls

1. Head out of Rukins Campsite, heading in the direction of the village, passing the honesty box on your right, head across the road, passing houses on your left, to the signposted track directly opposite. Head straight on along the track (signposted Swale Trail/ Coast to Coast/ Bridleway) passing the Keld information board on your right.

2. After a short distance, you will see a stone flagged track heading steeply down to your left. You will be coming back to this point after bagging Kisdon Force. So continue straight on, at this point, signposted Thwaite/ Muker.

3. After a short distance, you will see an offshoot path to your left, that is handily signposted Kisdon Falls. You need to take this to head down to the bottom of the Upper Falls. It is narrow, and reasonably tricky underfoot, but easy to follow, and clear. Be aware that the path is muddy and slippery as it nears the waterfalls with a rope to aid access. At the bottom, turn left to head up to the waterfalls.

4. Here, you will find a popular wild swim spot. For an older more confident swimmer this is the perfect swim spot! (see the bottom of the page for more information.) What 3 Words location is nicknames.itineration.spooned.

5. Turn back, and return the way you came to that paved track I mentioned! Now it will be on your right, and you need to turn right, heading down it, to the footbridge. Cross the footbridge, and you will hear the roar of East Stonesdale Falls. The lower falls are to your right at the bottom where the water meets the River Swale, follow the water up and you will see the falls at East Stonesdale. Here is a great little paddle spot! What 3 Words squad.treetop.scavenger

6. Head up the bank to the footpath or track back to the footbridge, and follow the path as it leads up and round. At the top there is a T-Junction. You need to turn left and head upwards until you reach a farmhouse. Here the path splits into two. You need to take the lower path, that heads around the back of the farmhouse. It is wide and stony.

7. Follow this stony track as it heads towards Park Bridge, it descends towards Currack Force (which is not hugely accessible, the best falls are tricky to find) then it will eventually end at the road.

8. Here, turn left and head the short distance down and over the bridge. Then turn right, and head the short distance up the road until you reach an access gate on your right. Head through this and enjoy Wain Wath falls! Here, we swam, and it was a top spot for the kids (the water was low, check out the safety information at the bottom of the page for more information about wild swimming with kids, or our blog on wild swimming with kids)

9. Once you have enjoyed Wain Wath, head back towards Park Bridge. Now here you have two options. Head back along the road back into Keld (I don’t like road walking, but it is the shorter option. The road is not hugely busy, but you do need to be mindful of the cars). Or, you can head back the way you came to head back into Keld that way. Either way, you need to head back to your start point at Rukins Campsite, for your last two waterfalls (told you it was a waterfall bagging walk!)

10. If you choose to head back along the road, head as far as Keld Lodge and the tea room, then turn left down the road just before them.

11. Once back in the car park, you need to head right, along the back of the farm buildings, then down the stony track that leads down through the campsite. Once at the bottom near the river, turn right, there is a gateway onto a path that leads you to Catrake Force. With kids, use this as a view point. I’m sure there are some brave souls who have scrambled to the base, but it’s too dangerous for us!

12. It is a cool proper forcey force, so well worth the visit, but so is the final waterfall, so turn back, and head along the path you came on. Head along the stony track that provides access to the pitches by the river, until you reach the end. There is another path here that takes you through to Hoggarth’s Leap. Another great little swim spot for the kids, but be mindful again that there are deep river pools here.

13. Head back up to your car! Told you it was a waterfall bagging mission rather than a classic walk! But well worth the mission!

Last walked August 2025

Catrake Force in Keld

Hoggarths Leap waterfall