GPS Cycle and Walking Routes

Aira Force Walk

3 miles (5 km)

This walk visits the beautiful Aira Force waterfall next to Ullswater Lake in the Lake District National Park. The National Trust owned area is very popular and a must see if you're visiting this part of the National Park.
You start off in the car park by the lake and then head through ancient woodland to the spectacular 65ft high waterfall. You can cross a bridge over the falls for fantastic views. You then head through Gowbarrow Park before reaching the lakeside where you can follow a waterside path back to the start point.
As well as the splendid falls there's also a series of lovely woodland trails with Himalayan firs, red squirrels and views of the Aira Beck.
The walk can be extended by picking up the Ullswater Way which runs past the falls. You could reach the falls by following the waymarked trail from nearby Glenridding or Patterdale as an alternative start point. See the Glenridding to Aira Force Walk for full details of this route.
In Glenridding you can also pick up the Howtown to Glenridding Walk which is another major highlight of the area.
Gowbarrow Fell sits just above the falls and is a great place to continue your walk. You can try our circular walk through Gowbarrow Park where you can enjoy wonderful views over the lake and surrounding fells.

Postcode

CA11 0JY - Please note: Postcode may be approximate for some rural locations

Please click here for more information

Aira Force OS Map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking

Aira Force Open Street Map - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Pubs/Cafes

There's a tea room on site where you can enjoy some refreshments after your walk. It's run by the National Trust and located close to the car park. There's a good menu and nice outdoor seating for finer days.
Alternativley you could head into Glenridding where there's some great lakeside options. The Inn on the Lake does light lunches and afternoon teas and includes 15 acres of grounds with lawns sweeping to the shores of Lake Ullswater. It's a beautiful spot to sit out and enjoy a meal with wonderful views over the lake to the surrounding fells.
Inn on the Lake Hotel gardens and landing stage - geograph.org.uk - 371994 Inn on the Lake Hotel from their landing stage. - geograph.org.uk - 371987
Pictured above the splendid gardens of the Inn on the Lake in Glenridding.

Dog Walking

The falls and surrounding woods make for a fine dog walk though it's advised to please keep them on leads. The National Trust also provide water bowls around the car park and tea room.

Further Information and Other Local Ideas

If you head into Glenridding you could visit the Ullswater Information Centre. There's lots of good walking advice here with maps, guides and details of guided walks in the area. You can find the centre in the village at the Beckside Car Park with a postcode of CA11 0PD for your sat navs.
A few miles north of the falls there's the climb to Great Mell Fell to try. The fell is owned by the National Trust and inlcudes some pleasant woodland trails with fine views from the 537 metre high summit.
For more walking ideas in the area see the Lake District Walks page.

Photos

Entrance, National Trust Car Park at Aira Force - geograph.org.uk - 955543

Entrance, National Trust Car Park at Aira Force

Bridge over Aira Force - geograph.org.uk - 530570

Bridge over the falls. Lots of tourists looking down Aira force from this bridge above the drop.

Aira Force (Ullswater) - geograph.org.uk - 176899

The falls and vegetation. An athmospheric shot with the light shining through the ravine

Bridge below Aira Force - geograph.org.uk - 1340714

Bridge below the falls

Aira Force Viewing Area - geograph.org.uk - 1222795

Aira Force Viewing Area. Looking down on the viewing area from the bridge over the top of the waterfall.

Path to Aira Force up the eastern side of the ravine, Watermillock township, Matterdale CP - geograph.org.uk - 280234

Path to Aira Force up the eastern side of the ravine, Watermillock township, Matterdale CP. Here the path zigzags up onto the flank of Gowbarrow Park.

Rapids near Aira Force Waterfall, Ullswater - geograph.org.uk - 916233

Rapids near the falls

Aira Beck - geograph.org.uk - 724088

A long exposure shot of Aira Beck downstream from Aira Force.

Video

GPS Files

GPX File

Aira Force.gpx (On Desktop:Right Click>'Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold>Share>Save to Files')

Memory Map Route

Aira Force.mmo (On Desktop:Right Click>'Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold >Share>Save to Files)