Bowlees – Low Force Waterfalls – High Force Waterfall – Summerhill Waterfalls and Gibson's Cave

A not to be missed short walk to view the huge array of waterfalls and cataracts that are on display on both the River Tees and Bow Lees Beck in this ruggedly beautiful area of Upper Teesdale. Do not forget your camera!

The walk starts from the Visitor Centre car park at Bowlees and heads down to view the impressive display of waterfalls at Low Force before crossing the River Wear over the historic Wynch Suspension Bridge to intersect the Pennine Way. The walk closely hugs the southern bank of the river as it heads upstream, initially passing a group of lesser but no less impressive waterfalls and cataracts on the way. The route then enters the Open Access land that is the Moor House Nature Reserve where a large group of rare Juniper bushes are growing. The walk reaches its farthest western point where it arrives at the famous and always impressive High Force waterfall. From here the route retraces its steps back to the perimeter of the Nature Reserve where it then moves away from the river and heads back to Low force along a more elevated route through fields that affords good panoramic views of the dale to the north.

From the Wynch Bridge the walk then heads downstream on the southern banks of the river to cross a footbridge and return to the car park through a series of fields. The walk does not however end here. A short extension of the walk (0.7 miles there and back) leads up the interesting and charming valley of the Bow Lees Burn to view a series of very photogenic waterfalls that incorporates the story of a legendary 16th century local outlaw.

England - North England - Durham - Teesdale

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Walk id: 9054

Walk grade

Easy Walk

Length

5.8 Miles

Height gain

158 Metres

Duration

2 Hours 35 Mins

Average rating

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