Where are the secret waterfalls of the Yorkshire Dales?

Well. If I told you, it wouldn’t be a secret would it….?

And if I didn’t it would be the world’s shortest blog!

Now waterfall hunting is one of our favourite things to do, EVER. In the Summer, we love to kick off our boots and have a paddle, or even a swim if it’s warm enough (I am a fair weather wild swimmer at best!) But what makes the experience a whole lot more fun is working for that waterfall! Because if you do, the likelihood is that there will be nobody else there!

Do I hear a ‘woo-hoo’ from the chronically anti-social folk at the back?! Hope so, because I’m sitting right there with you!!

So whilst we have a special place in our hearts for Queen Janet’s Foss, we love a trip to Hardraw Force, and Aysgarth as well just because of the Robin Hood vibes. But secret waterfalls, they are NOT! Oh no. In fact, once I read that Janet’s Foss was a secret waterfall and I nearly spat out me brew….!

But we know some that are super secret….

So here are eleven Yorkshire Dales secret waterfalls. (It was originally five, but then I JUST COULDN’T STOP and if it’s good enough for Stranger Things, it’s good enough for me!)

River Nidd Waterfalls

These falls are not actually named on the map, but I call them (and I think others do too…) Nidd Falls. Located in a secluded wooded area on the River Nidd in Upper Nidderdale, you can get to them easily from Lofthouse, a stunning Yorkshire Dales hamlet.

How do I find Nidd Falls?

You can check out our very mini walk to the falls from Lofthouse here on our River Nidd Waterfalls page, which gives you a full description of how to get there and lots more pictures too (including ones taken after LOADS of rain, where the falls are a whole different kettle of fish!)

In our opinion, they are a perfect picnic spot, and a top place for a splash! What better on a hot sunny day?

Where can I park for Nidd Falls?

There are a couple of places to try, Lofthouse car park (what three words compacts.many.discrepancy) or there are a few places to pull in on the access road to Scar House Reservoir.

Scale Haw Force on Hebden Beck

When I think of secret waterfalls, this is always the one that first springs to mind, and it’s one of my favourite waterfalls ever.

What makes this a secret waterfall? The fact that you have to work for it! And where Nidd Falls are easy to walk right up to, this involves being a little more creative! The footpath, heads across the stepping stones on Hebden Beck, where you will catch a glimpse of Scale Haw Force from a distance. If you head a little further up the beck you can see them up close!

How do I get to Scale Haw Force?

Located in Hebden, just outside of Grassington in the Yorkshire Dales, Scale Haw Force is made all the more secret by a fallen tree that partially blocks the view up the beck, but hidden behind it, is one of the prettiest spots in the Dales!

Check out our mini Hebden loop walk, which goes right past Scale Haw Force to get yourself a full route description (and more pictures!).

Where do I park for Scale Haw Force?

There is limited on street parking at Hebden. Be respectful to its residents, do not block access, roads or gateways.

We also love a little trip to The Clarendon Hotel in Hebden too, which has a great beer garden and top food!

Force Gill, Whernside

Located on the side of Whernside, just near the Ribblehead Viaduct, Force Gill feels like it shouldn’t be very secret at all, Whernside being one of the famous Yorkshire Three Peaks (and the biggest one at that!)

But a walk to Force Gill will not take you up to the top of Whernside, because it is nestled right underneath it! Visible from the path heading up to the summit, you can take a detour off the well beaten track to get right up close and personal to this cracking waterfall.

So secret? Perhaps not. But deserted? Yes! We spent a full hour here on a sunny day in the middle of August. Whilst the path up Whernside was its usual level of busy, nobody took the detour to see the falls.

So yes. It’s safe to say it is hidden in plain sight!

How do I get to Force Gill?

Check out our Force Gill walk, where you’ll find a full route description of how to find this stunning spot!

Where can I park for Force Gill on Whernside?

There is parking located alongside the road near the Ribblehead Viaduct.

We also love the beer garden at The Station pub at Ribblehead . Tasty food, with an epic view!

Buckden Beck Waterfalls

Buckden Beck is located just underneath Buckden Pike in Upper Wharfedale in the Yorkshire Dales. These waterfalls are brilliant, and are once again overlooked massively because they aren’t on the edge of a well walked footpath!

Despite the fact they are secret, they are super easy to find! And because nobody ever looks for them, they are also super quiet too! We have spent many a hot (and cold!) hour sat beside these falls, and so far? Never seen another soul!

How do I get to Buckden Beck Waterfalls?

These falls are just a short stroll from the car park in Buckden, and there are many! The higher you climb, the more spectacular the falls are, but there is a point where the path definitely stops being kid friendly and that’s where we stop too!

You can check out our Buckden Beck waterfall walk here for the full route description.

Where do I park to get to Buckden Beck Waterfalls?

The Yorkshire Dales car park is a pay and display car park in Buckden, and it handily has toilets too!

There is also a pub in Buckden and little village shop.

Whitfield Gill Force, Wensleydale

This waterfall is an absolute belter. And again, is hidden in plain sight!

The waterfall is starred on an ordinance survey map (basically that means it’s something super!) but to actually get down to the edge of it, you have to go a little off path, and head on up alongside the beck.

The reward for being a little bit adventurous, is the experience of standing at the foot of an epicly huge watefall!

How do I find Whitfield Gill Force?

The walk to Whitfiedl Gill takes you past Mill Gill Force as well, which is much more easily accessible than its buddy. Head to Mill Gill and Whitfield Gill Force walk to see the full route description.

Where do I park for Whitfield Gill Force?

A little less accessible than some of the other secret waterfalls above, the walk begins at the honesty box car park at Askrigg.

Cray Gill Waterfalls

To wander along Cray Gill is like a dream for a waterfall lover! But to get to some of the best drops, you have to wander a little off the path!

The kids estimate that there are 11ty billion waterfalls hidden in Cray Gill. I’m pretty sure that’s an exaggeration, but there are a right lot. And it makes this walk one of our absolute favourites. In fact, writing about it, is making me want to go again…..

How do I get to Cray Gill Waterfalls?

Cray is a teeny tiny hamlet at the head of Upper Wharfedale. For a hamlet with a few houses (and a pub…. obvs!) it has a ridiculous number of watefalls! You can park at Buckden Car Park and walk the short distance to the hamlet. If you try to park in Cray it’s a bit pot luck. Our Cray Gill walk with a full route description can be found here!

Oh and did I mention this walk has three pubs on it….. Just saying…

Where do I park for Cray Gill Watefalls?

You can park at the Yorkshire Dales pay and display car park at Buckden. There is some parking at Cray but it’s very hit and miss, and I always worry I will be in the way!

Gaping Gill, Ingleborough

Located on the side of another of the Yorkshire Three Peaks, Ingleborough, Gaping Gill is a natural phenomenon that you cannot miss. I mean, this is the MOST secret waterfall of allllllll tiiiiiiime!

Well you could miss it, because 95% of the time it is completely inaccessible to all except the most experienced cavers. That is until the Gaping Gill winches occur.

Run by two local caving clubs, the winches are the ONLY way to access this awe inspiring location if you are a mere Muggle like me! So if you absolutely want to channel your inner Stranger Things vibe and head right into the Upside Down, check out the websites of Craven potholing club and the Bradford Potholing Club, for dates and details. The next winch meet at the time of writing is 12th - 19th August 2022 with the Craven Potholing Club. The Bradford PC winch takes place typically around May bank holiday.

How do I get to Gaping Gill?

Well, you are IN LUCK! because even if you cannot visit on a winch day, the walk to Gaping Gill is still well worth a trip on any other day. Check out our walk description for our Clapham to Gaping Gill walk here.

Where can I park for Gaping Gill?

You can park at the Yorkshire Dales pay and display car park at Clapham.

Cow Close Waterfall, near Cray

Ah this one will truly get you channelling your inner adventurer!

Located on public access land, you have to exercise your right to roam to find this one, and it’s worth it! Because LOOK! The cascades of this beauty are incredible, and of course you get the absolute phwoooooar of a Yorkshire Dales view too! Not a bad place to dip your toes either…

How do I get to Cow Close waterfall?

You can find the full walk description for Cow Close waterfall here!

Where can I park to get to Cow Close waterfall?

You can park at Buckden pay and display car park.

The Chapter House Waterfall, Yordas Cave, Kingsdale

This epically located waterfall is right inside the ex Victorian Show cave, but you will have to channel your inner explorer to find it, as you’ll get nowhere near it without a high beam torch!

And no, your phone torch will not even scratch the surface!

Yordas cave is located in Kingsdale, which is a stone’s throw from Ingleton at the far South Western edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. It is beautifully remote, and pretty easy to access too.

How do I get to Yordas Cave?

You can find the full route description on how to get to Yordas Cave here!

Where can I park to get to Yordas Cave?

You can find roadside parking outside the cave, and the full details can be found on the link above!

We LOVE to eat at the Marton Arms in Thornton in Lonsdale. A top pub, family friendly and a brilliant beer garden!

Cotter Force, Hawes

There is a long way to go to make the wilds of our National Parks accessible to all. But Cotter Force is a wonderfully accessible waterfall, and you know what? It’s pretty quiet too! Once again, off the beaten track, this one is located just outside Hawes, and whilst I say ‘off the beaten track’ it’s not.

Because this walk is wheelchair and pushchair accessible.

It’s short, it’s one of the Access the Dales routes, but despite them being few and far between, this one is quiet, and peaceful and was also painted by Turner….. he likes the Dales!

How do I get to Cotter Force?

Check out our walk description for Cotter Force here!

You’ll find all the walk details as well as the details of where to park!

The Mum bit: I will not be able to sleep at night if I don’t give you the warnings about swimming in open and wild water. Wild Swimming is cool. But be safe and be aware! Water can be dangerous, and when paddling or swimming with kids, care needs to be taken at all times. Be aware that water depths around waterfalls can vary massively very quickly, and with wet weather, depths can vary greatly from the pictures shown. Be aware of strong currents. For more information about swimming outdoors, head to the Royal Life Saving Society Page.