This isnt too bad, but after you finish the rock hopping you begin the bog traverse. Looking up at the falls and the surrounding mossy cliff walls was just mesmerising. You can find out more details on the track in Stanley Ghyll Waterfall guide. Having said that, we didnt have any boot sucking moments, it was more wet than actually muddy for the most part. James St. John/Flickr. Along the same river (and walking track) youll find crystal clear swimming holes ranging from turquoise to emerald green. The Eskdale Valley is known for its pools and waterfalls and Tongue Pot is possibly the best of them all. We used to talk about travelling the world together, and in 2012 we finally made that happen. That way in the unlikely event that there is a problem, people will know where to find you. Information can be found on the Lake District website specifically for swimmers and users of the lakes. A plunge pool underneath a high fall hidden behind rocks. If peace, quiet and beauty is what you are looking for then this is the place for you. There's a 7-day free trial too, so you can access all of Great Britain anytime, anywhere. This helps towards the costs of running our website. 15 mins. Its unclear whether it will reopen, but even if it doesnt, a trip to the upper falls is still very much worthwhile. After 200m youll come to a fork, and the easiest route at this point is to bear right. The famous poet's favourite Lake District viewpoint is at this very lake, aptly named 'Wordsworth's Seat'. Swimming in a lake at sunset (Image credit: Johner Images). Although the trail is still flat, its a little rocky underfoot and there are patches which are quite damp, though its still easy enough. Sourmilk Gyll. Dash Falls. There are two separate pools, one higher than the other. You can then rock hop or walk through the water to the base of the falls. If you are less confident or experienced, practice in some of the other lakes or pools on our list. Dont swim if water has become discoloured, as this can indicate flooding and can present dangerous currents. The waterfall has a series of drops, each with its own unique beauty. 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. Access into the water is easiest on the southeast side of the tarn. All the details on the walk and what its like to swim there are in this guide. Located in the shadows of Langdale Pikes, Loughrigg Tarn is another natural swimming hole that is too good to resist. Best wild swimming in the Lake District for serene early morning laps in calm waters. Near the foot of the valley, the Esk River has cut canyons and pools in the rock creating three great pots to wild swim. The perfect place for a plunge in natures Jacuzzi. 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. A stunning waterfall flows down into a long pool making it an idyllic place to spend your time. However, early morning and sunset are personal favourites especially setting out from places like Ashness Jetty. Wild swimming at Galleny Force (Fairy Glen) & Black Moss Pot Fairy Glen Take our map with you on your discovery of the amazing wild swimming in the Lake District. The car park has toilets which come with a 50p fee. Its an old reservoir on the route up Holme Fell, used for the mines below. The water temperature can fluctuate hugely depending on the time of year and can be significantly colder that the air temperature. Wild swims don't come with swankier views than this. After buying a one way ticket to Istanbul we spent a year making our way through Asia before arriving in Australia, where we have been living ever since. Its undeniably glorious and the view is one to remember. Even walking during a hot dry summer, it was boggy and it would be much worse in wetter times. The Peak District may be landlocked with a distinct lack of salty sea air, but there are some fantastic spots for a refreshing dip and paddle with the kids. From those which are easy strolls, to a few that are slightly harder to reach. Around one hours walk away from Eskdale, you will find this beauty. The waterfall is easily accessible by trail and road. Holme Fell lake - Image: Daniel Start//WildSwimming.com. If you think you need to fly to a far off tropical destination to get your turquoise water fix, think again. Best for a chilly mountain dip. Waterfall Swim Adventure in the Lake District | Wild Swimming | Cold Water 5,428 views Mar 7, 2021 Taking the plunge! Cross Dalegarth Bridge (deep pool below) and find the car park on the left after 200m. This stream has beautiful water to swim in wild through a breath-taking gorge. Best wild swimming in the Lake District near a great local pub. 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. 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. Surrounded by hilly woodlands crisscrossed with jogging tracks, Rydal Water is the perfect place to get active in nature. Its one of our favourite pubs in the Lake District and a great way to end a day of wild swimming. We opted for sunset, which was a captivating time to be up there. Wild Swimming Spain: Discover the Most Beautiful Rivers, Lakes and Waterfalls of Spain Discover over 150 magical places to swim and explore in Spain. The tarn is located along one of the best hiking paths to Scafell Pike the highest peak in the Lake District. By Antonia Bentel. The water is clear, peaty and cold, flowing straight off the hills. A waterfall swim and walk in the Lake District National. Walk My World provides highly detailed guides for those who love to explore independently and seek out hidden gems. 16. To be found in the fells near Rydal, this pool is great for a swim, bathe or relax, with the guaranteed beauty of the Lake District all around you. The tarn is a 5-minute walk from the car park. Its the perfect spot for a rejuvenating wake-up swim. It has a pebble shore and soon gets quite deep for a perfect wild swim. Chatsworth House, Bakewell, DE45 1PP. We're Cat Smith and Joe Bird, two travel fanatics from the U.K. We both caught the travel bug on solo trips in 2003 and have been hopelessly addicted ever since. 7 amazing public swimming lakes to wet your appetite, Frequently Asked Questions About Wild Swimming. The setting is dramatic and the crystal clear swimming hole at the base is easily one of my favourite places to take a dip in the Lakes. You can access your free e-book by clicking on this link. There are shallow spots on this list suitable for anyone, but others are very deep. Although you can reach the falls via longer tracks, the quickest route is definitely one of the best easy walks in the Lake District. Hardknott Pass, Lake District National Park, Cumbria, UK. Being smaller in size and relatively shallow, on a lovely summers day the temperature of the water will be perfect. The ghyll (deep ravine) upstream is dramatic and the views over the Great Moss up to the Scafell range is one of the most dramatic in the Lakes. 2023 Anywhere We Roam. Dont be fooled by these initial excellent trail conditions, it deteriorates quickly! The walk in is fairly straight forward from Martindale Head car park at the southernmost tip of Haweswater Reservoir, it's the drive there that is the challenge! Also, dont try and do too much too soon. This is a lake and a wild swim that will take your breath away with the pure scale and beauty of your surroundings. Before 2020, Poltava Oblast was subdivided into 31 regions: 24 districts ( raions) and 6 city municipalities ( mis'krada or misto ), officially known as territories governed by city councils. Our maps are built on 220 years of experience - we keep walkers, runners, cyclists and more safe in the great outdoors all year round. From fairytale falls that shoot through narrow canyons, to those with turquoise pools that wouldnt look out of place in Bali. Swimming is a fantastic exercise and when you can do it out in the open with such stunning scenery, it enhances the experience immensely. Scale Force: the Lake District's wild and mysterious gorge waterfall, Golitha Falls: ancient woods and hidden swimming spots, Sour Milk Ghyll and Easedale Tarn: 2 spectacular swimming spots in Grasmere, 14 Incredible Lake District Waterfalls: wild swimming and hidden gems, Skelwith Force: a great rainy day activity in the Lake District, Crinkle Crags & Bowfell: Two of Wainwright's favourites in one walk, Tarn Hows and Black Fell: an easy walk in the Lake District, Loughrigg Fell: the perfect walk from Ambleside, Lake District, The easiest route up England's highest mountain, Scafell Pike, Helm Crag - The perfect sunset walk in the Lake District, Warnscale Bothy: a Lake District hidden treasure, 14 incredible things to do in Coniston including secret spots, 16 amazing things to do in Grasmere including the best of its wild side, Stanley Ghyll Waterfall: one of the most atmospheric in the Lake District, The shortest route to Cathedral Cave - just a 15 minute walk, The Giggle Alley Japanese Garden: Eskdale's hidden autumn wonderland, Hodge Close Quarry: how to find the incredible hidden caverns, The quickest walk to Rydal Cave plus a hidden cave nearby, Stock Ghyll Force: Ambleside's beautiful ravine waterfall, Tongue Pot and the spectacular swimming holes beyond, The Buttermere Infinity Pool and the hidden swimming spots beyond, Ritson's Force: incredible electric blue waterholes in the Lake District, Buckstones Jump & the incredible swimming holes at Rydal Waterfalls, Whorneyside Force: Langdale's secret waterfall swimming spot, Thirlmere infinity pool: how to get there and beat the crowds, The Old Man of Coniston, one of the best walks in the Lake District, Everything you need to know to hike Catbells, Lake District, Seven Easy Walks in the Lake District, England, The best Lake District walks for stunning views, Best things to do in the Lake District, England, The Kindness of Strangers: 10 travel moments that restored my faith in humanity, What it's like to give it all up to travel in your 30's. Situated only a stones throw from the picturesque town of Keswick, biggest and most famous lake in the National Park. Swimming at Scale Force Waterfall If you're feeling brave you can take a dip in the icy waters beneath Scale Force. Adults and children alike will love it. The closest car park to the trail head for Scale Force Waterfall is at the Buttermere Court Hotel - postcode CA13 9XA, its a pay and display car park. Kail pot and Pillar pot are 25 minutes from the car park; Tongue Pot is 20 minutes further. High up in the mountains, the still water perfectly reflecting the impressive Langdale Pikes is one of the best views in the Lake District. Lower down from Buckstones Jum, you will find an amazing swim location with a majestic waterfall. Discover more great hidden places to go in the Lake District with The Wild Guide to the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales by Daniel Start. Sheltered on all sides by mountains and low in altitude, the water is often a little stiller and a little warmer than other swimming spots. Seeing a fish or two while swimming in the wild here is not uncommon and only adds to your enjoyment. 8 Have fun and take a picnic. This helps towards the costs of running our website. 10. Carry on by foot up the road, bearing left. But the shelving beach is on the far side (20 minute walk away from the car park), so it retains a slightly off-the-beaten-track feel. 2. The water level can be variable depending on the recent rainfall but that shouldnt detract from the sheer wonder of this fabulous place. What a beautiful walk in the Langdale valley, whatever the weather the views are breathtaking. Best for Waterfalls: Cascata Plera, Tolmezzo, Friuli-Venezia Giulia A waterfall drops into a true blue pool over the this funnel of rock. Approximately 250m of scratchy bracken later youll reach a metal gate. After a few minutes youll pass through a kissing gate, which is signposted for Scale Force. Park at the car park nearest to the cattle grid (marked CG on an OS Map), Galleny Force - Image: Daniel Start//WildSwimming.com. Situated only a stones throw from the picturesque town of Keswick, Derwentwater is a lake you can swim in the wild any time during the day and get spectacular views while enjoying the water. At the southern end of Ullswater, in the town of Glenridding, gently sloping beaches descend into a beautiful part of the lake. Now you have seen 17 of the very best wild swimming spots in the Lake District we hope that you will make the time to go and enjoy them. The Half-Day Package can be made a completely bespoke and private experience for an additional cost. With a campsite on its shores, this small lake is a perfect place to relax and enjoy a leisurely swim in the wild, while taking in the views all around. Dont let it put you off because its relatively short sections, but do wear shoes you dont mind getting wet. Kailpot Crag - Image: Daniel Start//WildSwimming.com. Weve been providing free travel content since 2017, helping our readers explore new and familiar destinations. At 1 mile wide and 3 miles long, you can choose how far and where to swim to. 4 Be aware of the cold, hypothermia can come to you quickly. Swimming in the wild in groups is good for safety and moral and it is very important to let someone know of your plans. For more information about visiting the area, read our guide to the Langdale Valley. But dont let that put you off. Roughly 300m after leaving the wooden bridge youll come to another one (1.9 miles/3km into the walk). Its a scenic remote spot and one of our favourite wild swimming locations in the Lake District. After crossing the bridge the track continues along a bracken lined path and youll arrive at a gate 150m later. Wastwater One of the most dramatic of all wild swimming spots, the impossibly photogenic Wastwater is England's deepest lake. Buckstones Jump is an idyllic spot for wild swimming in the Lake District and is a very well-known local spot. There are few more picturesque spots to wild swim than Blea Tarn. Tucked away in the stunning landscape, you can find some amazing natural swimming holes to explore and enjoy. Our favourite views and photo spots in the Lake District, Explore the remote and rugged Lake District at the Langdale Pikes, Walk Scafell Pike via the Corridor Route for a top Lake District Hike, Find our favourite things to do in the Lake District, Conquer knife-edge ridges on the exhilarating walk up Blencathra, Our pick of the finest walks in the Lake District, Try these heart-pumping grade 1 Lake District scrambles, The best places to stay in the Lake District. Following the Langstrath Valley in the Borrowdale area of the Lake District, Langstrath Beck curves through steep woodlands and grassy fields before forming a small dramatic gorge pool cut into a rock ledge. We love the small canyon falls which only has a tiny plunge pool, but is incredibly atmospheric. The only difficult part of the track is negotiating the bog. If you dont want to bring your own supplies, head to the newly opened National Trust Sticklebarn restaurant in Great Langdale Valley. It cascades into a narrow mossy chasm and the walls are so high that no light can penetrate. The pretty waterfall cascades into an emerald pool and its hard to believe such a lovely spot is both free to visit, and a mere five minute easy stroll. Almost all the rocks are wet up in the gorge so you need to tread carefully. Its not run by the National Trust, so members wont park free here. Hi! Well and truly bitten by the bug. Mountain Goat Full Day Tour: Ten Lakes Tour of the Lake District (From 51.26) Ultimate Full-Day Lake District Tour: 10 Lakes, Amazing Scenery & Lake Cruise (From 125.64) 10 Lakes Winter Scenic Tour - Expert Guide - Photo Stops - Magnificent Locations (From 109.55) 8 Lakes and Magnificent Scenery - Afternoon Half Day Tour (From 55.28) Park at the bottom of Hardknott Pass near Brotherinkeld Farm then walk up the Eskdale Valley. This takes around 15 mins. In terms of the walk, its very easy and barely has any uphill whatsoever. If youre looking for the most beautiful waterfalls in England, youll find them here. This post may contain affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, that we will earn a small commission if you click through and decide to make a purchase. 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. The path continues to be flat and leisurely and 850m into the trail youll reach an old stone bridge. 3-5 business days . It wasnt horrendous on our visit, but it was more extensive than the first part of the circuit and had the potential to be pretty nasty in wetter times. Youll have to walk up a bit more slanted rock before crossing the water and walking up some boulders. All Rights Reserved. Wild Swimming The Lake District, Cumbria is one of the best places in the world for wild swimming. Getting down was a bit trickier as you have more forwards momentum. You can find out more details in our Ritsons Force guide. If you are planning to camp, continue on rough track for further 600m to park at Stonethwaite riverside campsite (0176 87 77234). The water here is peaty, clear, and chilly. Be assisted with confidence into lake or waterfall and learn how to relax and take it in your stride safely. Black Moss Pot, Stonethwaite. 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. After Rosthwaite, turn L at crossroads with post box in wall signed Langstrath Country Inn (carry on along lane beyond CA12 5XG) and follow lane to Stonethwaite. 1 Enter the water slowly. All the spots on this list are wild and have no safety measures in place. This 4 metre deep pool lies under a narrow gorge which the water cascades down from. Especially if they are owned by the National Trust. Save 13% from RPP Save 13%. As the valley is difficult to get to, few people venture to this beautiful destination. Lather up with sunscreen and throw on your bathing suit, because there's a world of fun awaiting you. Not suitable for jumping. As the lowest of three levels of the well-known McCloud River Falls, this is said to be the most popular swimming waterfall in the region and allows for 12-foot jumps into a large pool at the base. 1. The lovely thing about this part of the walk is you are now following the shore of Crummock Water. Great for jumps and snorkelling. Walk length: Up to 4.3 miles (6.9km) return, but can be shorter if you visit less fallsDifficulty: Easy. However, the pool is small and best enjoyed with as few people as possible - which can be a challenge to achieve as its not a very long or difficult walk (although you do have a bit of a climb on a narrow track). The water flows through a narrow mossy chasm which creates a bubbling mass of white water, its mesmerising to watch. Sign up to our mailing list to get our free mini guide! The hardest hikes in the Lake District National Park - 14 challenging routes Head on up the valley for Black Moss pot where the brave dare each other to jump into a deep water-filled chasm. Youll probably be glad of trousers on this section! 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. Park at the Blea Tarn car park between Little and Great Langdale Valleys. Alternatively, climb down the large rocks to the bottom of the pool for a lazy relaxing soak. Sort by : River Esk Falls.
