High Force waterfall walk - the best short route from Bowlees via Low Force, County Durham

High Force waterfall walk route map best view car park bowlees

The spectacular High Force waterfall in Autumn - read on to discover the best High Force waterfall walk with the best views

A short walk to High Force waterfall via Low Force from Bowlees

The best way to see High Force Waterfall and Low Force waterfall in my humble opinion is a short 4 mile circular walk from Bowless Visitor Centre. Most first-time visitors to High Force park in the costly car park which is close to High Force and then pay into the Raby Estate to walk to High Force to see it from the bottom. The best (and cheapest) way for me is to park at Bowlees Visitor Centre (donation car park) and do this short walk. You get to see much more of the area, including Low Force and also get the better views of High Force from up above.

Walk distance: 4 mile circular
Walk time: 2-2.5 hours
Walk difficulty: Easy

Map of the High Force waterfall walk from Bowlees

This is the best way to see High Force Waterfall and Low Force waterfall in my humble opinion on this short walk. It starts from Bowlees Visitor Centre, then is 2 miles from there via Low Force Waterfall and the River Tees to High Force Waterfall along a clearly marked path. You then just retrace your steps back to the start from High Force - really simple route and great for all the family.

If you don't have a Phone Map App - I really recommend the one by Ordnance Survey. You can download route maps to your phone such as this one and the app will show you exactly where you are on the route even when you have no signal - so no more taking a wrong turn :-)

As you can see the distance on this High Force walking route is 4 miles exactly and there isn't much up or downhill so perfect for a leisurely stroll or with kids!

A few photos from a stunning autumn walk to High Force waterfall

Low Force waterfall walk route map best view car park bowlees

After 5 mins or so from the Bowlees Car Park you are soon at Low Force - a nice set of waterfalls in themselves and many visitors to High Force don't even venture down this way

There's plenty of waterfall to catch your attention on this High Force walk

Look at those autumn colours!

The footpath on this walk tracks the River Tees all the way to High Force, and you'll stope plenty of times to admire the views

This is my favourite viewpoint of High Force which you'll come across on this walk, just swing a right at the path as soon as you hear the roar of High Force waterfall

I get the drone out when close to High Force to take a birds-eye look at those superb autumnal colours. You can see the location of the viewpoint on the photo above here to the left of centre and down a bit, where someone has a blue coat on! Make sure you visit this viewpoint it's the best around here

The spectacular High Force waterfall in it's Autumn coat (photo taken from my drone)

Standing right at the top of High Force and looking down the River Tees- what a view! From here you can explore upstream from High Force, or just simply retrace your steps - and it will be abut 45-60mins back to the car at Bowlees

I hope this has inspired you to want to visit High Force in Upper Teessdale, County Durham - it's a really good short-ish walk than can be made longer if you wish and it's greta for all the family and all abilities!

Happy Hiking!

Post by Stuart Hodgson
'The Hiking Photographer'

I share my adventures as I love the outdoors and it's spectacular natural landscapes. Being outside can also bring many benefits to us, including improvements to our physical & mental health and I want to help others reap these benefits too. I hope you enjoy the blog and it inspires you to plan a trip or two!

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