lake district wild swimming waterfall
The best spot to swim is just south of Countess Beck. By mikeedeedee. Its only 100m between the wooden bridge and the base of the upper falls, but its definitely not for everyone. ( in my opinion). Some of the bog wasnt too bad on our visit, but some was pretty wet and you wouldnt be able to keep your boots dry unless youre very lucky. Some require a hike to get to; but all are rewarded for the cathartic sensation ofswimmingamongst some of the best scenery in the Lake District withalmostno one elsearound. Park in the village of Stonethwaite and walk along the river for 45 minutes past the Langstrath Country Inn. Always research the lake or river that you are looking at wild swimming in. The walk to Scale Force is largely flat, but there is a climb towards the end. With Scafell Pike, Great Gable and more looming you should be asking yourself why you havent taken a wild swim here already? The fact there was no one else here at all during our visit in the August school holidays still has me perplexed! Its unclear whether it will reopen, but even if it doesnt, a trip to the upper falls is still very much worthwhile. The tarn is located along one of the best hiking paths to Scafell Pike the highest peak in the Lake District. It has a pebble shore and soon gets quite deep for a perfect wild swim. Please Note: Wild Swimming is only available to guests who are residents of Armathwaite Hall Hotel & Spa. Daniel Start On the water May 31, 2016 10 mins. [3] Theres a shelving beach for easy access plus plenty of grassy banks to while away a few idyllic hours. Youll probably be glad of trousers on this section! This is not the only infinity pool in the Lake District, but it is one of the most beautiful. Many automotive and farm equipment factories were established during the growth of industry between 1901 and the 1930s. 15 mins. The picturesque double drop waterfall is set in pretty woodland, and flows through a striking ravine. Triangular in shape and with a rocky beach, you can wile away the day in and out of the water and enjoy the small waterfall that can be found at the end of the pool. Rydal Water is a serene and peaceful place for open water swimming in the Lake District. Best for a chilly mountain dip. Roughly 300m after leaving the wooden bridge youll come to another one (1.9 miles/3km into the walk). Were Cat & Joe, two Brits, now living in Australia, with a passion for the outdoors and adventure travel. 2023 Anywhere We Roam. 10. Save Don't forget your towel! Its deep enough to dive in from the old dam wall, and small enough that it warms up nicely in the sunshine. You can consider this article a work in progress as we have plenty more waterfall adventures planned! It's also one of the smallest lakes in the National Park, and is popular because of its Wordsworth connections. Situated only a stones throw from the picturesque town of Keswick, biggest and most famous lake in the National Park. Hi! Walk length: 100m each way (via the quickest route)Difficulty: Easy. Should I swim with someone?Ideally yes where possible. This setting serves up some brilliant wild swimming options. You can actually find it right here in the Lake District! Also, dont try and do too much too soon. A wide, picturesque valley wedged between the high mountains; its remoteness adds to its rugged allure. Buckstones Jum 3 Stunning Waterfalls To Swim In 12. Sitting under the shadow of Crinkle Crags, in one of the Lake Districts most spectacular valleys, youll find a secluded waterfall. Thanks for your support. However, early morning and sunset are personal favourites especially setting out from places like Ashness Jetty. They do a mean pint and have an environmentally friendly menu that explains the carbon footprint for each dish. Our maps are built on 220 years of experience - we keep walkers, runners, cyclists and more safe in the great outdoors all year round. Cross Dalegarth Bridge (deep pool below) and find the car park on the left after 200m. The more its rained, the more impressive the waterfall will be. The only hard decision you will have to make, is which one to visit first! Ease yourself into it and build up your wild swim distances gradually. How to use this map / Click on the top left of the map to display the list of locations, then click on the locations to display further information. Several little beaches are sprinkled around the shore where you can launch for a long swim, lay in the shallows or just soak up the views from the bank. Are you allowed to swim in Lakes?The easy answer is yes. Aira Force is probably the best known waterfall in the Lakes and it is incredibly picturesque. A plunge pool underneath a high fall hidden behind rocks. If you are worried about powerboats and other larger vessels, then you can choose one of the lakes where they are not allowed. Sign up to our mailing list to get our free mini guide! Looking up at the falls and the surrounding mossy cliff walls was just mesmerising. There is no shortage of choice when looking at swimming spots in the wild in the Lake District. Getting down was a bit trickier as you have more forwards momentum. Best wild swimming in the Lake District for young kids and families. However, travel down the road to Triglav National Park 's Lake Bohinj and discover wilder scenery for free. Moderate hikes in the Lake District - 7 of the best. It does get a little boggy the higher you climb though, even in summer. This is Waterfall Woods in the Brecon Beacons, a place where you'll find some of the most striking and awe-inspiring waterfall plunge pools. Always take precautions like wearing a bright swimming cap, towing a bright buoy or float behind you and by swimming as a group where possible. Litter tends to breed litter, so if you do spot any and are able to pick it up and dispose of it outside the park, it will go a long way to keeping the area clean. Walk length: 1.7 mile (2.7km) loopDifficulty: Easy. With a shimmering chute falling 20m into a deep plunge pool, its hidden in a mossy and verdant tropical-looking ravine reached by crossing several wooden bridges and some final scrambling along a slightly tricky path. Gadding's Dam Reservoirs often make for excellent wild swimming spots. Tongue Pot - Image: Daniel Start//WildSwimming.com, The legendary Tongue Pot forms a long emerald pool beneath a roaring waterfall in a cleft of the mountain stream, just beneath a mountain packhorse bridge. I defy anyone not to be wowed by the sight of this beautiful ribbon of water tumbling down the huge gorge walls. If you think you need to fly to a far off tropical destination to get your turquoise water fix, think again. It takes just a few minutes, but would be slippery after rain, so it does require care. Youll reach it after a couple of hundred metres. Its important to leave them exactly as you found them so they will remain beautiful for generations to come. Located in the peaceful western side of The Lake District, Cumbria, the Stanley Ghyll Force waterfall plummets 60 feet into a secluded gorge. The water temperature can fluctuate hugely depending on the time of year and can be significantly colder that the air temperature. This is not as well known as some of our other pools and waterfalls which makes it such a special and tranquil place to be, deep in the middle of the forest. As previously mentioned, wetsuits, bright swimming caps and tow floats can be very important. Birks Bridge What to Consider When Wild Swimming Dangers of swimming in lakes and rivers A crucial question is always, what is the water temperature? Buy your copy today and get over 30% off with free P&P go to Wild Things Publishing and use discount coupon 'OS' at checkout. Here we reveal some of our favourites. You can find out more details in our Ritsons Force guide. But, its much more fun to jump off the perfectly formed ledge about 5 metres above the water. This will help to maintain the pristine conditions of the English Lakes. Park alongside the road just before the farm at Seathwaite, then walk for 1 hour and 45 minutes uphill. This helps towards the costs of running our website. Added to that, the walk itself is very pretty, with some great fell views. Although the trail is still flat, its a little rocky underfoot and there are patches which are quite damp, though its still easy enough. Each of the parking locations mentioned in this article have been marked on the map, along with the best spots to jump in for a swim. These are ideal places for enjoying a peaceful wild swim. Go and visit purely for a wild swim or as a lovely after hike dip. The water is clear, peaty and cold, flowing straight off the hills. There is a little dam at the outflow of Blea Water . At the southern end of Ullswater, in the town of Glenridding, gently sloping beaches descend into a beautiful part of the lake. Discover the elegant splendour of Stanley Gill Force, one of Lakelands most graceful falls, once revered by Victorian traveller but now well off the beaten track. You can see which are effected, as well as all other details in this guide. Stanley Ghyll Waterfall is one of the most atmospheric in the Lake District. This makes Eskdale a therapeutic isolated place for wild swimming in the Lake District. Although you cant see a waterfall, this is where Scale Force is located, and the place you want to head towards. Wood behind, beach alongside; its a great spot. The wild swimming locations on our list aremore remote than many others. Out of the 14 major lakes in the national park, only 3 of them do not allow swimming, but which are the best? Huge craggy mountains surround the water creating a dramatic atmosphere for a refreshing Lake District wild swim. So if you plan to take a dip in multiple lakes please rinse both yourself, your swimwearand any other equipment thoroughly between each swim. This isnt too bad, but after you finish the rock hopping you begin the bog traverse. Buttermere and its surrounding area have been voted time and again as some of the most stunningly beautiful scenery in the Lake District, if not the entire UK. Were Cat & Joe, two Brits, now living in Australia, with a passion for the outdoors and adventure travel. You need to walk to the left of the lower falls and youll see a rocky slab. Ullswater at Glenridding isnt exactly the wild swimming location in the Lake District for getting away from the crowds, but on most days, you can find a decent spot to call your own. Hi! With these great wild swimming spots you can enjoy the cool natural waters while taking in the spectacular scenery that is all around you. This workshop helps you to feel relaxed, safe and happy in cold and wild water . Due to the depth of the lake it may be colder than others on our list so make sure that you wild swim in the correct gear. This is the place to go for the latest from Walk My World. Given that its located in Ambleside, Stock Ghyll Force is one of the better known waterfalls in the Lake District. Its a scenic remote spot and one of our favourite wild swimming locations in the Lake District. Be aware that boats do use the lake as well so always swim with care. Swim upstream first because you dont want to leave the more tiring work till the end. Best wild swimming in the Lake District for plunging into a lagoon pool from rocky ledges. There is a very short (one minute or so) descent to the bridge, but theres a bit of loose soil and one eroded patch of track here, so just watch your step. Wastwater One of the most dramatic of all wild swimming spots, the impossibly photogenic Wastwater is England's deepest lake. The currents under the surface can be significantly stronger than above and can catch you unawares. It may be small, but Rydal Water is still an amazing place to venture for a wild swim. We should know, we grew up there. You can reach Whorneyside Force via a strenuous circuit hike taking in the fabulous Crinkle Crags, or using a direct route, which is a pretty easy walk. As one of the smallest lakes in the Lake District, Rydal Water is a peaceful and serene place to go for a wild swim. As the grot becomes more well known it will be harder to get it to yourself, so you might want to visit early or late if youre travelling in peak season or at the weekend. There's a National Trust car park just a short walk from the top of the falls. But its worth the trip and one of our favourite things to do in the Lake District. There are two separate pools, one higher than the other. Find local news and events in your area, water campaigns that might interest you or join a group or a meeting of like-minded people. At Westwater, you can park right where you swim. The lovely thing about this part of the walk is you are now following the shore of Crummock Water. From the bridge, you get a great view of the lower falls, but only a peek at the upper falls. This post may contain affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, we will earn a small commission if you click through and decide to make a purchase. Make the Moat House Your Wild Swimming Base Stanley Gill Force - Image: Daniel Start//WildSwimming.com. Make sure you pack your camera when you visit this waterfall in the Rivelin Valley, as it's one of the most picturesque spots in the Peak District. Cross the bridge and head through the gate, and then right. Warning: There is a swimming section of this body of water known as the "nudists pool," as it is traditional to swim naked in the clear water that is naturally dammed above the falls.