Swimming in Wain Wath Waterfalls

Directions to Keld Waterfalls

Directions to be used alongside a map

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 great, as the water is super deep - for younger paddlers, be aware that there is a steep drop off in the water and you can be found out of your depth very quickly. (see the bottom of the page for more information.)

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 and the water gets deeper towards the drop (although not really full swim territory, like Kisdon.)

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 and the path snakes down the far side of the bridge) the path 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! This is a popular swim spot and you’ll more often than not, find it busy. It is a super swim though, well worth it if you don’t mind sharing! Again, in low water conditions, you’ll find a nice gradual entry, but be mindful that little ones can soon find themselves out of depth. In high water, you won’t (and shouldn’t) get anyway near.

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, because there will be some). Or, you can head back the way you came to go back into Keld that way. Either way, you need to end up back at 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 aim 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. Walk 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 and river currents can be strong particularly around the ‘white water’ where the buoyancy is lost.

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!

As this is a wild swimmers dream - check out our Wild Swimming with Kids blog for safety links, helpful information and loads more.

Last walked August 2025

Catrake Force in Keld

Hoggarths Leap waterfall