Aira Beck Waterfalls – Aira Force loop from Patterdale

Hiking trails & Routes

Aira Beck Waterfalls – Aira Force loop from Patterdale

Moderate

4.7

(40)

346

hikers

Aira Beck Waterfalls – Aira Force loop from Patterdale

02:50

10.6km

130m

Hiking

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.

Last updated: August 7, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through a protected area

Please check local regulations for:

Lake District National Park

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

553 m

Bench with a view of Ullswater

Highlight • Lake

Ullswater is the second largest lake in the Lake District. It formed in a glacial trough where the glacier scraped out the valley bottom and then dammed the end with sediment.
Glenridding is at the southern end and Pooley Bridge at the north. Both are great walking bases with plenty of facilities.
Stop here at the bench for great views.

Tip by

1.15 km

Glencoyne Wood and Ullswater View

Highlight • Lake

Wrapping itself around Glenridding Dodd's and Sheffield Pike's lower slopes, Glencoyne Wood is a lovely mixed woodland on the shores of Ullswater. It was here that William and Dorothy Wordsworth saw the beautiful daffodils that inspired the poem of the same name, one of Britain's favourites.

Tip by

1.17 km

View over Ullswater

Highlight • Lake

A very good point to look out over the lake.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

2.47 km

View of Ullswater

Highlight • Viewpoint

View across Ullswater

Tip by

4.52 km

Aire Beck Footbridge

Highlight • Forest

easier route than the stepping stones below

Tip by

4.87 km

View of Ullswater from the Aira Force–Hind Crag path

Highlight • Viewpoint

great view and perfect for a photo

Tip by

5.34 km

Aira Beck Waterfalls

Highlight • Waterfall

Aira Beck is most famous for its 66-foot (20 m) waterfall, Aira Force. It's a sight that has been popular since Victorian times and is surrounded by a landscaped park that is today managed by the National Trust.

Beyond Aira Force, you can follow Aira Beck upstream to High Force, another fine sight. The stream's source is high on the flanks of Stybarrow Dodd, a rounded Wainwright summit on the Helvellyn range.

Tip by

5.77 km

Aira Force

Highlight • Waterfall

Aira Force is probably Lakeland's most famous waterfall. It is a spectacular sight, as it thunders down a ravine in one, great 65-foot (19.8 m) leap.

A great way to visit to the falls is by taking the Ullswater Steamer from Glenridding to Aira Force Pier. Trails also follow the Aira Beck upstream, allowing you to add the Wainwright summit of Gowbarrow Fell to your day.

Tip by

10.6 km

End point

Parking

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

6.76 km

2.28 km

626 m

454 m

273 m

193 m

Surfaces

6.73 km

2.35 km

778 m

488 m

177 m

< 100 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Highest point (220 m)

Lowest point (150 m)

Weather

Monday 19 October

11°C

7°C

93 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 17.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

October 3, 2024,Ullswater Way (ish): Patterdale - Aira Force and return

Brilliant weather and views. Even though this part of the Ullswater Way follows the main A592 it's still a lovely walk as you're slightly away from it. This walk includes a bit of a loop in Glenridding as we looked for a suitable cafe for 'brunch'!