How to Hike the Ingleton Waterfalls Trail
The Ingleton Waterfalls Trail is one of the top hikes in the UK. This series of waterfalls are located up and down the River Twiss and the River Doe with the trail starting in the village of Ingleton, in Yorkshire, England.
The easiest way to access the start of the trail is by driving. The closest train station is Bentham and you have to take a taxi or a bus to the trail. The closest major city to Ingleton is Manchester and the closest major airport is Manchester International Airport.
How to Hike the Ingleton Waterfalls Trail
Ingleton Waterfalls Trail Basics
- Total Miles: 4.5
- Completion Time: 2.5 hours (non-stop walking), 4.5 hours (taking your time & frequent stops)
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Total Number of Steps: 1,000
- Entry Fee: £7.00 per adult
- Parking Lot? Yes, parking fee included with trail ticket purchase
- Bathrooms? Yes
- Refreshments? Yes
- Dog Friendly? Yes. Leash needed when walking through farmland
- Official Site
I always like to know the difficulty of a trail and sometimes “moderate” just doesn’t do it for me… I hiked Mount Batur in Bali and that was a “moderate” climb in the dark… at 2am… climbing up a volcano while trying to maneuver a flash light at the same… *face palm*
I feel like “moderate” has it’s own range of difficulties within the moderate category.
Sooooo, this hike is moderate. Moderate for the average person in good health. If you have limited mobility then this will be a challenge. If you have any knee problems, then this will be a challenge. If you’re not used to hiking or long walks, then this will be a challenge.
There are consistent ups and downs throughout the whole trail (1,000 steps) and the paths are “defined”, but are very rugged. There are roots crossing paths, high steps, and slates and rocks sticking out of the ground. The path is VERY muddy and slippery after rain or during a frost. Some areas of the trail (including steps) DO NOT have a railing.
You will need a good pair of walking shoes or hiking boots.
When to visit the falls
I LOVE how hiking season in England is January-February! You get all the serious walkers around, the ones that really love the outdoors. The Ingleton Waterfalls trail is the perfect off-season trail.
During the summer months, it’s VERY busy, so you’ll need to arrive early and get going. If it’s a full sun day, make sure you pack some sunblock because there are parts of the trail where there is no cover.
If it’s light rain, you can still enjoy the trail, just bring a rain jacket. I don’t recommend doing this hike in heavy rain, the trail will get too dangerous.
The falls will look better after rainfall, so make sure you check the weather. If it hasn’t rained for a month, you’re not going to get a lot of water flow and I think it will take away from the experience.
These pictures were taken on an overcast day at the end of Janaury 2020. The weather was mild (about 45 degrees) and there were frost warning signs posted around (although I didn’t see any frost). It was VERY muddy. Aside from the mud, all the conditions were PERFECT!
Starting the Ingleton Waterfalls Trail
You will park in the Broadwood Car Park, that’s at the official start of the trail on the River Twiss. It is free to park for those paying for the trail. There is a cafe just outside the parking area (you will pass it when you drive into the parking lot) and bathrooms are located there and in the parking lot. The bathrooms in the parking lot are closed during off season, but the bathrooms by the cafe are always open.
The start of the trail is at the back of the parking lot. There are signs to guide you, but you will be able to see the ticket office in the distance. Once you pay for you ticket, keep it on you, so you can show it at the half way point if anyone asks.
The path hugs the river through Swilla Glen, weaving up and down the landscape and even passing the money tree (don’t forget to take a penny and hammer it into the fallen tree with a rock).
Pecca Falls
You’ll walk along the river and through the woods until you start to hear the sound of rushing water… ooooooh the first waterfall is getting close. It will take about 25 minutes to get here.
These falls are a series of five that cascade down. The falls drop down sandstone and slate into plunge pools that are as big as the falls themselves.
Continue climbing up the through the glen and enjoying all the view points along the side of Pecca Falls and you’ll come to your next waterfall.
Hollybush Spout
Hollybush Spout is a 30 foot waterfall that squeezes through a deep and narrow area on the river with a steep drop, creating a spout.
After Hollybust Spout, you’ll head out of the woods and out onto the moor. This section of the path is very easy compared to the rest of the trail. Not too far down the trail, you’ll hear the rushing water of another waterfall. Once you turn the corner, you’ll come to your next waterfall on the trail.
Thornton Force
Thornton Force is the last waterfall on the River Twiss. Some say this is the most impressive and best waterfall on the Ingleton Waterfalls trail… well, it is the tallest at 46 ft and one of the most well known in the dales, however, this wasn’t my favorite on the trail… (Pecca Falls was my favorite… shhhh!). I’m not being a Debbie Downer, this waterfall is BEAUTIFUL!
This is a great area to dips your toes and paddle your feet. Apparently it’s cold all year round… I didn’t test the waters, it looked cold and that was enough for me.
There are benches in this area to have a rest and admire the view (the ONLY benches on the whole route, aside from the cafe at the half way point).
Once you’re ready to go, you’ll head up the steep steps to the left of the waterfall. This will be your steepest climb throughout the whole trail.
Raven Ray Bridge
You’ll follow the gentle river until you come to the Raven Ray Bridge where you will cross over and continue walking up.
You are coming to the highest point of the walk (about 984 feet) and you’ll get great views of the mountains surrounding you, including Ingleborough, the second highest peak in the Yorkshire Dales.
You’ll see a gate up ahead and once you enter the next section, you’ll be on a very rocky, cobblestone style path (walk on the grass, if you can… your feet will thank me). This stretch of the walk is all open, no shade.
You’ll pass Twistleton Hall (which is a farm), continue following the signs directly past the farm and you’ll start to descend down.
You’ll see another farm in the distance. This is Beezley Farm.
You’ve made it to the half way point! There’s a cafe (limited hours) and picnic tables to take a break if you wish, there’s also bathrooms here!
When you’re ready to go, just follow the signs, you’re next waterfall isn’t too far away!
Beezley Falls
Welcome to the River Doe. This path is a lot more dangerous than the other river’s path. It’s higher and there’s no railings (for the most part), the “steps” are very uneven, and there’s more hazards (rock and roots) sticking out of the path.
Beezley Falls has two tiers with the second spilting into three cascades. I could definitely just sit here and watch this waterfall for hours!
Rival Falls
The river continues down and starts to pick up speed. I think this area is one of the best areas for the river because it’s very intense. You’ll continue walking down the path and come across more cascading water with some rapids as the river rounds the corner.
Rival Falls consists of two falls cascading down with a plunge pool in the middle known as the black hole! It’s the deepest one in the area at 80 feet deep!!! It really does look like a black hole, encased by the gorge and the darkest part of the river. Don’t fall in! …but seriously, don’t fall in.
There’s quite a few questionable sections of the path around here, so just use caution.
Baxenghyll Gorge
The gorge narrows as you walk along and at its narrowest point, you can take a detour down (only about 30 steps down) to the bridge that crosses the gorge. It doesn’t go anywhere, it’s just a viewpoint, but it’s a great view.
You’ll see the colors of the gorge and the small grated bridge allows you see the water rushing down below you. This is not for anyone who is afraid of heights… even I felt a little bit iffy looking directly down. Seriously, exactly how sturdy is this bridge?!
Snow Falls
Everyone is always in awe over Snow Falls… because it’s one of the most powerful waterfalls on the trail. Honestly, It’s a beautiful waterfall, but this one was my least favorite. It’s a little bit hidden and there’s only one viewpoint which is actually kinda far from the falls itself, I’m sure if I could’ve gotten closer, it would’ve been 100 times better!
As you’re walking down the side of the trail, you can hear it and you can see glimpses of it through the trees, but the only place to actually view it, is further down.
Getting back to the parking lot
You’ll come to the end of the Ingleton Waterfalls Trail (it will be a gate telling you are exiting/entering the trail) and that’s it for your signage (except for a couple in the village). So how do you get back to parking lot?
In front of you will be three path options… one that looks rocky and goes slightly uphill, one that is on flat ground, but can slippery and muddy, and then a lower path that is just through the grass. Take the path that goes slightly uphill, it’s the safest and all three of those paths lead to the same place.
Continue following the dirt track and you’ll magically be back in the village. Once you get back to the village there are green sign posts around, follow the signs to the waterfalls trail and you’ll get back to the parking lot.
OR you can take Thacking Lane around the left curve to Main Street and turn right. Take the hill down in front of the Co-Op and you’ll see the entrance to the parking lot.
Are you thinking about doing the Ingleton Waterfalls Trail? Lemme know in the comments below!
Other Great Hikes in Northern England:
- Hiking Guide to Aira Force, the Lake District
- How to Hike from Flamborough Head to Bridlington, Yorkshire
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