High and Low Force Waterfalls

High Force is within the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and European Geopark. Despite popular belief that it is the highest waterfall in England, at 71 feet (22 m), others have a longer fall: Cautley Spout, in Cumbria's Howgill Fells, is almost 590 feet (180 m) high, and Hardraw Force, in North Yorkshire, has an unbroken drop of 98 feet (30 m).

Low Force by comparison is much smaller but in my opinion a much nicer and more interesting place to visit especially since they have placed restrictions on High Force due to the Covid-19 pandemic. At Low Force you are free to roam, not just in the falls area but the surrounding countryside which has many footpaths, including The Pennine Way.

I luckily timed my visit to witness someone canoeing down the falls and got some smashing photo of him in action so I’ve included them at the end of the blog.

Unfortunately at High Force there is a dedicated route to the falls and then a new path through woodland back to the car park. That wouldn’t be too bad but for two reasons. One is that they have cut off close access to the River Tees and falls so there is really no point in a photographer visiting. Second is that the return path has lots of steep steps, is quite enclosed and I should imagine gets very slippy and muddy after rain. Anyone with health issues would really struggle on it, especially the stepped parts.

Despite that I still had a great day and thankfully the food kiosk was open where I purchased a very nice cappuccino and a locally made sausage roll.

Sadly High Force is yet another victim of this sodding virus!