Aysgarth Falls walks, inc. a longer circular walk to West Burton in the Yorkshire Dales

Aysgarth Falls walk waterfall Yorkshire Dales West Burton

Aysgarth Falls is one of the most impressive set of waterfalls in Northern England and this walk is an excellent way to see them all

Aysgarth Falls short walk in the Yorkshire Dales

Aysgarth Falls is really a set of three sections of waterfalls carved out by the River Ure in the Yorkshire Dales and is one of my favourite places in the whole of England to enjoy the cascading water. Aysgarth Falls consists of the Upper (pictured above), Middle and Lower Falls. If you visit the area I really do recommend you see all 3 sections and my personal favourite is actually the lower falls that not every visitor to the area see's.

On the map below I've highlighted the 3 waterfall sections and the best way to see all three is to walk along the footpath on the northern edge of the River Ure. The best place to park is at the Aysgath Falls visitor centre (which is just off the top left of the circle where the middle falls are highlighted below) - I then like to walk to the Upper Falls first from here (5 min walk) then retrace my steps back to the visitor centre and then take the path to the Middle and then Lower Falls. When at the lower falls I like to view them from the top and also bottom, which requires taking the path further down the river and then dropping down right onto the rocky river bank, which requires using your hands a little, and then follow the river back up to the bottom of the lower falls.

Here you can see the 3 sections of Aysgarth Falls, and I really do recommend you visit all 3. The full walk is only about 1.3 miles and can be done in 30-45mins.

Aysgarth Falls circular walk to West Burton

Most visitors to Aysgarth Falls only go to do a short walk to see all three sections of Aysgarth Falls, however if you want a longer walk to make more of a day of it, then I highly recommend this 4.4 mile circular route to West Burton. This walk doesn't cover the northern edge of the River Ure where you get the classic views of Aysgarth Falls themselves - so I do recommend tagging the above short 1.3 mile route onto this walk (either at the start or at the end)

Map route Aysgarth Falls walk waterfall Yorkshire Dales West Burton

This walk again starts from the Aysgarth Falls visitor centre, and heads straight to Aysgarth Church and then follows the southern bank of the River Ure to Hestholme bridge. From there it's onto West Burton, to see another delightful waterfall and chance to explore this idyllic Yorkshire village. You then head back to Aysgarth visitor centre.

Cauldron Falls in the village of West Burton is an superb little waterfall set in it's own amipheatre like setting and is actually really easy to walk too via a short path from West Burton village. It's also a great place for wild swimming if your into that sort of thing!

Happy Exploring!

Post by Stuart Hodgson
'The Hiking Photographer'

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