How to Get to Aira Force Waterfall in the Lake District, England
Waterfall in England? What? YES! England isn’t known for it’s waterfalls, but you would be surprised by how many there are! Aira Force is a waterfall that blew my mind!
Seriously, I didn’t think pretty waterfalls like this existed in England! BUT THEY DO! And I’m gonna tell ya how to get there!
Hiking Guide to Aira Force – Lake District, England
The Lake District is a National Park in Cumbria, located in northwest England.
There are sixteen lakes in the region (including England’s largest natural lake – Lake Windermere) and it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an official Area of Outstanding Beauty AND the location of this waterfall!
Aira Force is a waterfall that’s created from rainwater running down the fells (mountains) which collects at Aira Force and drops 65 feet into a rocky pool before continuing onto Ullswater (one of the many lakes in the Lake District)!
The pictures do not do this place justice… it looks at lot bigger in person!
How to get to Aira Force
By Car: Driving will give you more options with which trail you can start. The drive is VERY scenic and super easy no matter which direction you come from. If you’re coming from outside the Lake District, then M6 is the closest motorway and within the Lake District, you’ll take the A591 or the A66.
By Bus: The 508 bus runs between the Penrith train station and Patterdale. The stop you get off at is Matterdale, Aira Force which is right in front of the Aira Force Car Park.
By Train: The closest train station is Penrith. It’s about 10 miles from the start of the trails, but you can catch the bus. Transpennine Express runs a DIRECT service from Manchester Piccadilly to Penrith a few times a day and it takes about an hour and a half.
By Boat: A few years ago the Ullswater Steamer added Aira Force to one of their stops. So if you are staying in Glenridding or Pooley Bridge then this is a great scenic route to take. The boats run 363 days a year, so even if you go during the winter, you can still catch a ride!
Hiking to Aira Force
This is not a waterfall that you can see from the road, you will need to hike through woods, up and down steep hills, and climb uneven stairs. It is not wheelchair accessible and I don’t recommend this hike for people with limited accessibility.
You’ll want a pair of good sneakers or hiking boots. If it’s been raining, then it’s VERY muddy… so wear pants that you don’t care about (because they will be covered in mud by the time you leave).
Which Trail to Take
There are three parking lots that are scattered down from the top of the falls to the bottom. No matter what trail you take, there will be some steep hills or steps.
High Cascades Car Park – This one is the most northern parking lot. It starts all the way at the top of the High Cascades bridge. The water is a little calmer up top and you follow the river down on the trail, get a glimpse of a smaller waterfall (High Force) and then take the High Force Trail all the way down to the waterfall. This is the steepest and longest option, but definitely the most scenic!
Park Brow Car Park – This parking lot gives you the closest access to the waterfall, but it does have a steep incline when you are climbing back up. This one doesn’t take you along the banks of the stream or through the main part of the forest, but it is a nice stroll through Park Brow. If you’re pressed for time and you’re not going to explore anything else other than Aira Force, then take this path!
Aira Force Car Park – This is the most popular parking lot (and the biggest). This gives you the easiest access to the waterfall (so not a terrible climb). You start your walk on the Glade Trail and meet up with the Waterfall Trail. It’s about a mile to the waterfall from this parking lot and will give you great views as you follow the river up.
Hiking from the Aira Force Car Park
The main route is from this parking lot, so if you take a bus, boat or you’re walking from Ullswater, this will be the route you take.
There is a tea room that is open year-round from 9:30am – 3:30pm during the winter months and 10:30am – 4:30pm during the summer months. There is also a National Trust store with roughly the same opening times. This is also the only parking lot with bathrooms… and they are clean!
The trail starts at the back left corner of the parking lot (just look for the National Trust store) and will take you about 20 minutes to get to the bottom of the falls (if you don’t stop to take pictures)!!
The first trail you will come to is the Glade Trail, it’s a pretty and open area, perfect for picnics or dipping your toes in the water. You’ll see Glade Bridge crossing the stream (or “beck” as they call it in Lake District), but don’t take that trail, instead head to the trail on the left. This trail is the EASIEST and gentlest incline to the falls with the least amount of steps!
This is the start of the Waterfall Trail. Follow the trail around and you’ll start to hear the falls in the distance and see glimpses of it through the trees. You’ll come to your first set of steps (you’re ALMOST there!) which claims there are 51 on the map, there’s definitely LESS than that and they are broken up into sections until you get to the top.
Once you’re at the top you have the option to go around to the top of the falls or climb the 104 steps down to the bottom of the falls. Taking the steps down this way will give you a great view of the falls and it’s the easiest way down.
Follow the path around, over the bridge at the bottom of the falls, and take a left up the 74 steps to the top of the falls. The first few steps are pretty high and uneven, but the other steps to the top are fine.
Here you can cross the bridge over the falls and get a great view from the top. There’s no need to head up the stairs on the other side of the bridge because that’s not the way you’re getting back!
You can explore some of the upper cascades here if you walk along the banks and you can even continue walking up to High Force, cross over the bridge, and come back to Aira Force if you want.
When you’re ready to head back you have the option of taking the 74 steps back down and heading away from the waterfall. This path will lead you right back to the Glade Trail. If you don’t want to walk down the steps then you can take the upper path at the fork and you’ll get a nice gentle walk to the Glade Trail (but not as scenic).
Other Information
Aira Force is owned by the National Trust and FREE to visit and open all year round!
Parking Charges
- Aira Force Car Park – £5.00 for 2 hours, £7.00 for 4 hours, £9.00 all day (FREE for National Trust members)
- Park Brow Car Park – £4.50 for 2 hours, £6.00 for 4 hours, £7.00 all day (FREE for National Trust members)
- High Cascades Car Park – £4.50 for 2 hours, £6.00 for 4 hours, £7.00 all day (FREE for National Trust members)
Are you heading to the Lake District or visiting the falls?! Lemme know in the comments below!
For more inspiration for travel in northern England, check out my related posts!
- How to Hike from Flamborough Head to Bridlington
- OVER 50 Things to Do in Yorkshire
- Hiking and Exploring Malham Cove
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