KELD WATERFALL WALK OVERVIEW:

KELD WATERFALL WALK MAP ROUTE

This nice little waterfall walk starts at the small village of Keld (park at Rukins campsite – £3 honesty box) The route first heads east along the Pennine Way towards Kisdon Force (furthest right highlighted pink circle). Kidson Force is signposted on the path – but it’s a little steep to navigate down and can be boggy. After exploring Kidson Force you then retrace your steps for a short distance, cross the River Swale over the footbridge to see the quaint East Gil Force at East Stoneside. You then follow the clear elevated path with fine views towards Currack Force. Just after there there is some quiet roadside walking down the bank, across the bridge over the River Swale onto Wain Wath Force, which is my favourite of all the waterfalls on this walk (and an idyllic place for a stop and a bit of wild swimming). It’s an easy walk back along the minor quiet road back to Keld. Click the button above to view the full route.

MY FAVOURITE Waterfalls on this nice little walk FROM KELD IN YORKSHIRE

Kidson Force is the trickiest waterfall to get to on this walk due to the steepish little path down, but once you are here it’s an impressive sight. There are 2 sections of falls here – lower falls (pictured foreground) and some smaller upper falls (pictured in the background) If it’s a warm summer day you may also see people jumping off the waterfall into the deep plunge pools below!

East Gill Force at East Stonesdale is one of the smaller waterfalls on this route (sometimes a trickle in dry weather) but it’s an idyllic place to stop especially if the sun is shining.

Wain Wath Force is simply stunning and an accessible place for wild swimming too if you fancy cooling off

PHOTOS OF WHAT TO EXPECT ON THIS WATERFALL WALK

I’ve done this walk quite a few times now and thought I’d take some pics to give you a flavour of what to expect to helkp plan your walk 

First things first – here’s the car park at Rukins Farm in the tiny village of Keld. £3 all day donation and there are toilets here too! In warmer months you can also get food & refreshments from the farm shop.

The path of this walk sticks to the south of River Swale initially. It’s not long before you get a glimpse of East Gill force over the other side. We’ll retrace our steps shortly and come back to this later – as it’s on to Kidson Force first. 

 After 10 mins or so or so you’ll come to this junction to head to Kidson Force on the left path, which is conveniently sign posted. Just make sure you swing a left here

You’ll come to this unique limestone rocky outcrop as you head down to Kidson Force

The path is a little steep down to Kidson Force and boggy in wet weather. A rope convenienthly helps you on your way if needed.

The first of the waterfalls on this walk – Kidson Force. There are 2 parts to Kidson Force – Lower Falls and Upper Falls (seen at the top of the photo). The water is deep here and perfect for jumping in if you are into that sort of thing. It’s with spending a little bit of time at Kidson Force for an explore. 

The Upper Falls at Kidson Force

Kidson Force is a spectaculr waterfall in Yorkshire and it’s set in a deep ravine – you can see the steep sided Limestone Cliffs that have been carved out by the River Swale over thousands of years.

After exploring Kidson Force – you then retrace your steps back onto the main path – then back on the path back towards Keld to the junction mentioned above where you then take the path down the bank that crosses over the River Swale (refer to map above also).

 You are then soon at this idyllic water fall – East Gill Force at East Stoneside. It’s worth taking another pit stop to enjoy this waterfall too. 

After East Gill Force you then get back on the main path and head uphill past Swallow Hole and towards Currack Force.

Currack Force – if you want to see this waterfall – just drop down off the path once you walk over the small Park Bridge. It’s my least favourite waterfall and trickiest waterfall to get down to on this walk so can be missed if you are pushed for time.

On this section of the walk the path is quite elevated and the views are pretty special of Upper Swaledale

To get back down to river level a small part of this walk follows the road and as you cross back over the River Swale on the road bridge you catch a glimpse upstream of Wain Wath Force – the next waterfall on this walk from Keld 

You keep on the road for a little while longer which tracks right next to the River Swale and you soon arrive at Wain Wath Force – a lovely gem of a waterfall and another place for a good pit stop.

From Wain Wath we simply follow the quiet road back to Keld. You’ll pass the quirky glamping site at Swaledale Yurts – which the River Swale passes through and has it’s own private waterfall! 

If Swaledale Yurts is quite you may be able to ask to get permission to wander down to their waterfall called Rainby Force – an ideal wild swimming spot for those staying at Swaledale Yurts. 

Shortly after this spot we continue the roadside walking for 10 mins or so and are right back at the village Keld!

And that’s that! I hope this write up has wetted your appetite for a waterfall walk at Keld and helped with planning your own walking adventure!

DON’T FORGET TO VISIT THE TAN HILL INN…

This waterfall walk starting at Keld is only a 15 min drive from the famous Tan Hill Inn, the highest Inn in the UK – so that is also worth a visit for a bite to eat or a drink. Or if you are staying at the Tan Hill – then this waterfall walk is a good one to do that is close by!