Aira Force is the most popular waterfall in the Lake District but relatively few people venture above the falls to discover the hidden world of gorges, pools and cascades above. Some cascades are right along the main path and you’ll spot people paddling in them on a warm summer’s day.
However, the two best pools above Aira Force are hidden just off trail and are magical spots for a dip. We visited twice in the school summer holidays and didn’t have to share the pools with another soul.
In this guide we’re sharing the quickest, easiest walk to Aira Force and then how to find the hidden pools above.
The walk to Aira Force via the easiest track
The stats
Distance: 1 mile (1.6km) return to Aira Force, or 2 mile (3.2km) circuit to the upper pools
Elevation gain: 125m
Difficulty: Easy, but not flat
Summary: There are a variety of routes around Aira Force, from a simple easy return walk, to a longer circuit, which includes the High Cascades and swimming holes. Both trails are on well maintained paths and though it gently undulates much of the way, it’s never steep.
If you want to see the top of the falls you’ll have to climb a set of steepish steps, but it doesn’t last long.
Continuing on to the High Cascades and hidden swimming spots above will require a little bit more uphill walking, but nothing steep. The path can be uneven at times, but generally speaking, it’s easy going.
There are two car parks for Aira Force (more details on that below) and you could park at either if you want to do the full circuit via the High Cascades swimming spots. If you simply want to see Aira Force you should park at the main Aira Force car park, which is where we parked and the route we’ll be describing.
You can see both the circuit and the simple return walk on the map below.
The easy path to the bottom of Aira Force
From the main Aira Force car park you’ll follow the wide gravel path gently uphill into a patch of woodland.
After 220m you’ll come to a junction and to follow the easiest path to the waterfall, you want to head right.
There are a few steps downhill before you’ll reach a little wooden bridge over the river.
Cross the bridge and follow the steps uphill on the other side of the river, the stairs quickly give way to a sloped path and then at the 350m mark it will completely flatten.
You’re now following a well maintained gravel path above the river and through the woodland. There are some truly fantastic giant Yew trees along the way. The path will undulate, but it’s never steep.
After another 300m you’ll reach a metal walkway and you’re now just 100m from the main viewing platform (which is 750m from the car park). Along the way you will pass a couple of bench seats if needed.
You’ll cross a small stone bridge which takes you to the main lookout, offering a great view of Aira Force from below.
It’s a beautiful waterfall which flows under a picturesque stone bridge and cascades down through a narrow gorge into a small pool.
Although it looks like people used to swim at the bottom of the falls, the large fencing around the viewing platform suggests they don’t want you to do that now. But if you are after a dip, then read on.
To the top of Aira Force
You can walk over the stone bridge you can see from the bottom of Aira Force and get a feel for the power of the falls from above.
It’s just 100m from the bottom to the top via a set of steep stairs, which have a handrail in place in needed.
This will bring you to a trail junction and you’ll see the bridge on the left. When you’re standing in the middle of the bridge you are very close to the top of the falls and you can see just how powerful it really is as it chutes through the narrow chasm.
If you only want to visit Aira Force, you have a couple of choices for walking back. The easiest route heads right from the junction at the top of the falls and follows the path marked ‘Ullswater Way’.
This smooth gravel path descends gently through the woodland, alongside some fields with views out to the distant fells.
There are a couple of bench seats with views out to Ullswater Lake too. The path will then connect up with the original trail you walked in on, just above the wooden bridge over the river. You follow the same route back to the car park.
There are other routes you can take around Aira Force, but this is the easiest circuit walk.
Exploring High Cascades and how to find the secret swimming spots
To the cascades
From the top of the falls, you can walk on either side of the river to explore the High Cascades, however, it’s easiest to get to our favourite swimming spot when following the trail on the left of the river.
From the top of the falls cross over the bridge and take an immediate right. The path is in good condition and though there are the odd few steps and rocky bits, it’s generally a well maintained gravel track. You’ll start to see cascades almost immediately and many have shallow pools that are good for paddling in.
On a warm summer’s day you won’t be alone in this spots, but there are so many of them that no one spot ever feels overly crowded.
About 200m into this path the pools get slightly bigger, though they are still quite shallow.
As the path takes you gently uphill for another 150m (370m from the top of the falls) you’ll reach our favourite swimming hole. But you won’t see it from this angle.
You need to follow the path downhill inbetween the large rock and the trees (before the wooden bridge you’ll be able to see from the main trail) and as that sounds a little vague, we took the coordinates for you: 54.5791784, -2.9289387 (click here to see it on Google Maps).
This path gets quite muddy after rain, but it’s only a few metres before you get to a rocky area just above the river.
Even at this point you can’t really see the pool!
The secret gorge swimming spot
To really see the pool in all it’s glory you need to get into the water. This requires walking a few steps down a rock slab, which does get very slippery when wet.
If it’s damp in any way it’s easiest to go down on your bum, just to make sure you don’t slip. You can then get into the water which is shallow at this point.
There are some rocks on the left side of the pool as you make your way in, but if you stick to the middle it’s pretty unobstructed.
The small stones inside the shallow water as you make your way into the main pool were not slippery, so it’s best to aim for them if you can.
After just a few steps you’ll enter the main pool and very deep water. The pool is big enough for a proper swim and it’s absolutely beautiful.
The mossy gorge walls, along with the dense woodland, make it feel like you’re hiding in plain sight. Walkers follow the trail above, but no one came down to this pool.
It was very special, like a woodland fairy’s den.
When you’re inside the pool the water appears very green, but in photos and from further back it looks very dark. Don’t be put off, you’ll see it’s lovely and clear when you get up close.
However, it is very, very cold. I mean cold even for England. You’ll want to swim to keep warm and it’s best not visited as your first UK wild swimming spot - unless you’ve done a few ice baths in the past : )
It also has a current which can be quite strong the closer you get to the waterfall, there is plenty of room to swim outside the current though.
In saying that, when I got swimming properly I didn’t feel that cold anymore, but this isn’t a spot for lazing around in. For that you’re better off at some of the shallower pools, which have less trees around them and allow more sunlight in.
The second gorge swimming spot
A trail to the right of the first spot links the two pools. It’s around 20ish metres and narrow. Some of it is a good dirt track and some is a bit rocky.
The rocky bits can be damp and you are just above the river. If you don’t like the look of the path, or if it is wet and slippery, you are much better off heading back onto the main path and retracing your steps left for 30m.
You’ll see a good dirt track leading downhill and this takes you to the swimming spot without any narrow sections above the water.
You will arrive at a long pool that has slower moving water, which some people may prefer.
It’s also got the easiest path down into the pool and it’s by no means a shabby alternative. It’s not quite as good as the first spot, but it’s still lovely.
You’re still secluded from the main walking path and the gorge wall is really high, which makes it feel very wild. As there are several small waterfalls upstream you can hear them as you swim and it sounds very dramatic.
Wild swimming safety
There are a few more spots upstream we’ll talk about next, but I first wanted to mention that these swimming spots are not suitable for visiting after very heavy rain. The current is too strong and the water can get quite foamy - which would likely put people off swimming anyway!
The way the water flows through the gorge means that quite a high volume of water is channelled into narrow spaces and this causes lots of churn and swimming would be dangerous.
As mentioned the water is very cold, so ideally you want to pick a warm day for your dip and don’t plunge your whole body in at once if you’re not used to cold water swimming.
Exploring the rest of the High Cascades and High Force
From the main path above our favourite spot, the trail continues on to several more cascades and one quite large waterfall - High Force.
Just 150m further along the trail, you will see a large pool with a small cascade, it gets a bit more sun and is good for a plunge.
Roughly 200m beyond, you’ll come to High Force, which is a fairly large and impressive waterfall, especially after rain. The pool at the base is small and looked shallow, but it’s very much worth going just to see the waterfall itself.
The path then continues gently uphill for another 100m when you’ll come to a bridge over the river. Off to the right is the High Cascades car park and you’ll see it signposted.
This is the alternative car park you could use if the main one is full, or if you only want to visit the swimming spots and not Aira Force itself. You still have to pay though (unless you’re an NT member)!
For the return leg back to the main car park, we’d recommend crossing the bridge and following the path on the other side of the river.
You’ll follow the path gently downhill alongside the river and when you see the small wooden gate ahead, pass through it. This is the easiest route back as it’s a smooth path.
You’ll see another gate 200m later, along the grassy path to the left. Pass through this gate and you’ll now be on the ‘Ullswater Way’.
This will take you on a gravel path gently downhill to meet the original trail you came in on, just above that first wooden bridge over the stream.
Along the way there are some good fell views to your left and an occasional peek at Ullswater Lake on your right.
As you get closer to the original path you’ll see signs for the car park and when you reach the wooden bridge, you’re back on main path to the Aira Force car park.
Keep them wild
Please remember to take all rubbish with you and keep these places wild and pristine - as with anywhere in the outdoors. It’s important to leave them exactly as you found them so they will remain beautiful for generations to come.
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.
Parking for Aira Force
There are two car parks for accessing Aira Force and both are run by the National Trust. The main Aira Force car park offers the quickest route to the main viewing platform.
The alternative car park is the one for High Cascades and High Force and would lead you downhill to Aira Force. If you only want to swim and not visit Aira Force itself, you’re best off using the High Cascades car park, for everyone else, use the main Aira Force car park. The postcode is CA11 0JS (the postcode does not always get you all the way there, so also watch for signs).
The charges if you’re not an NT member are currently £6 for 2 hours, £7.50 for 4 hours or £9 for all day at Aira Force Car Park. For High Force car park it’s £5 for 2 hours, £7 for 4 hours or £8.50 for all day.
There are toilets, a drinks stall and a small gift shop at the main Aira Force car park.
Getting to Aira Force
By Car
The main Aira Force car park is located around a 20 minute drive from Keswick, 40 minutes from Ambleside and 25 minutes from Penrith.
By Public Transport
If you plan on visiting by public transport you can catch the 508 bus that runs between Penrith or Windermere. It leaves every hour from Penrith (and takes 35 minutes) but every two from Windermere (taking 1 hour 10).
You could also take the “Aira Force Shuttle” that is run by the Ullswater paddlesteamer from Glenridding Pier directly to Aira Force, which costs £9 one way and £13 for an open return. You can check the latest timetable by clicking here.
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