Lake District

Aira Force and Gowbarrow Park trail

View from the Gowbarrow trail on an autumn day with path winding its way down from the fell and Ullswater stretching through the valley below. — Return views from Gowbarrow summit | © National Trust / Becci Senior

Experience Aira Force at its best as you head towards the thunderous roar of the waterfalls. Pass through woodland with lush green ferns and evergreen specimen conifers that tower over open glades. Then, emerge from the confines of the gorge to enjoy expansive views over Ullswater from the summit of Gowbarrow.

Near to

Aira Force and Gowbarrow Park

Start point

Aira Force National Trust car park, grid ref: NY400200

Prepare for unpredictable weather

A map and compass, waterproofs, and a whistle and torch are all essential for this walk. The weather can be very changeable and the higher elevations are exposed.

Address
Near Watermillock, Penrith, Cumbria, CA11 0JS
Directions via Google Maps
By train
Penrith station 10 miles (16km) where you can connect to the 508 bus service.
National Rail
By bus
Take the 508 Stagecoach bus service from Penrith to Patterdale. This service terminates at the Patterdale Hotel bus stop during the winter months, and the service extends to Windermere from the start of the Easter holidays until the end of the autumn half-term.
Stagecoach
Take the 509 seasonal bus service from Keswick to Glenridding.
Cycling
National Cycle Network Route 71 passes within 2 miles (3.2km). The A592 is undulating, narrow and can be busy during the summer months.
Sustrans
By ferry
Enjoy a 20-minute cruise from Glenridding to Aira Force on the Aira Force shuttle boat from the end of March until the end of October.
Ullswater Steamers
On foot
Aira Force is on the Ullswater Way, a 22-mile (35-km) route that circumnavigates the lake, mostly traffic-free. The distance to Pooley Bridge is 6.6 miles (10.7km), and to Glenridding is 3 miles (4.6km).
Friends of the Ullswater Way
By road
From the M6, J40, take the A66, then A592 to Ullswater. Just before the junction with the A5091 is the main car park. If the car park is busy, there are two smaller car parks, Park Brow and High Cascades, just off the A5091.
From Kewsick the A66 towards Penrith then the A5091 at Troutbeck and follow this to A592 junction. Turn left at the junction, and the main car park is approx 218 yards (200m) on the left. You will pass two smaller car parks, High Cascades and Park Brow on the A5091.
From Windermere, take the A592 over the Kirkstone Pass, going through the villages of Patterdale and Glenridding. Aira Force main car park is approximately 3 miles from Glenridding, just after the junction for the A5091. If the car park is busy, there are two smaller car parks, Park Brow and High Cascades, just off the A5091.
Car park
The main car park can become busy during peak times. Some accessible parking spaces. There are two additional smaller car parks, Park Brow and High Cascades. Use public transport where possible.
Toilet
Small toilet block close to the main car park entrance and are open 24 hours a day. All the toilets have baby-changing facilities. Portaloos provided in summer when site is busy, situated next to permanent toilets. Next closest public toilets situated in Glenridding village (3 miles south on the A592).
Tea-room
Tea-room serving hot and cold drinks, light bites and sweet treats with indoor and outdoor seating. Takeaway available. Additional seasonal outlet open near the Welcome Building during busy times. Drinking water taps around the car park and tea-room for people to refill drinking bottles (switched off during cold weather).
From the main car park are well-surfaced paths, but beyond the Glade, the path narrows with steep drops and several flights of steps to negotiate. Once out onto the open fell, the path is distinct with signage but can be muddy in places and partially obscured by bracken. Much of Aira Force and Gowbarrow Park is steep and rugged. The waterfall is inaccessible by wheelchairs, and baby carriers rather than pushchairs are recommended.
Aira Force and Ullswater access statement
Accessible toilet
The accessible toilet is next to the men's, adjacent to the car park entrance. The toilet is part of the National Key Scheme and is accessed with a radar key. If you need to borrow a key, please speak to one of the team.
Steps/uneven terrain
Much of Aira Force and the countryside is steep and rugged. Waterfall not accessible by wheelchair.
Total stages: 8
Total stages: 8
Start point
Aira Force National Trust car park, grid ref: NY400200
Stage 1
From the car park, walk past the wooden Welcome Building and follow the path through the picnic field until you reach a gap in a stone wall. After passing through the gap, you will come to a grassy area in the woodland called the Glade.
Stage 2
Once in the Glade, bear left, keeping Aira Beck on your right. Follow the path through the pinetum, where the path steepens. Here, you get your first glimpse of Aira Force. As the ground levels out, look to your left for grand views across the Ullswater Valley. Continue on the path as it bends to the right, leading to the upper waterfall bridge. You can take an optional detour to the lower waterfall bridge and viewing platform by following the steps that lead down, crossing over the stone bridge at the bottom of the falls and heading up the steep stone steps to the upper waterfall bridge, crossing over to resume your walk with the river still on your right.
Creating a rainbow | © National Trust / Anne Clarke
Stage 3
After leaving the waterfall's upper bridge, follow the path and river upstream for a third of a mile (0.6km), passing the High Force bridge and falls until you come to the High Cascades. Cross over the wooden bridge, and when you reach the path junction, turn left, following the path for another third of a mile (0.6km) as it leads you out of the woodland and onto the open fell.
Red Squirrels
The mixture of coniferous and broadleaf woodland found around Aira Force provides a suitable habitat for one of the UK's favourite mammals, the red squirrel. Once widespread throughout the UK, only a few pockets remain. With careful woodland management, additional feeding, and the help of the Penrith & District Red Squirrel Group, red squirrels can be seen scampering about Aira, busily collecting the nuts from the feeding stations and trees. The best time to see these special residents is early morning and late afternoon when the site is quieter.
Red squirrel in a feeder | © National Trust / Becci Senior
Stage 4
Once the woodland thins and the views of the surrounding landscape expand, you'll come to a junction and path that will take you up to the summit of Gowbarrow Fell, which is two-thirds of a mile (1km) distance. An excellent feature to look for is the dry stone wall running up the hill with an adjoining pine tree plantation. Once you reach the junction, turn right up the hill, keeping the wall on your left.
Fix the Fells
The Gowbarrow Fell trail is maintained by the Fix the Fells, a team of skilled rangers and volunteers who repair and maintain the mountain paths in the Lake District. A combination of millions of pairs of walking boots, the weather and gradient means erosion is a constant problem. Their path work reduces erosion scars and helps protect the beautiful landscape's ecology and archaeological heritage. You can admire their stone-pitched path and the breathtaking views as you pause for a breather on the steepest part of the walk.
Stage 5
Once the path flattens out and moves away from the wall, follow the path until you see a path branching off that will take you up to the concrete pillar called a trig point on the summit of Gowbarrow. From here, you have a 360° vista to enjoy. Next, retrace your steps to where you turned up to the trig point and continue your circular walk.
Gowbarrow trig point
Panoramic views all around can be enjoyed from the trig point at the summit of Gowbarrow Fell. To the south is Place Fell and beyond Red Screes that tower over the Kirkstone Pass, with St Sunday rising above the village of Glenridding. To the north west, you can see the Helvellyn ridgeline and, further away, Blencathra with its six fell tops. The spine of the Pennines to the north east. Martindale and High Street are to the south east. Snaking along the valley floor is Ullswater, looking dark and broody or shimmering in the sunlight, depending on the weather.
Gowbarrow Fell summit trig point | © National Trust / Becci Senior
Stage 6
Follow the path down, bearing right until you reach the ruin of an old shooting lodge. Keeping right at the junction for Pooley Bridge, continue around the eastern flank of Gowbarrow.
Stage 7
The footpath after the Pooley Bridge path junction takes you along the undulating landscape for almost a mile and down to a perfect spot for a breather. Go over a fence stile to the superb vantage point up the head of the lake from the point marked on the map as Memorial Seat. After admiring the views, go back over the stile and turn left, continuing on the path down towards the woodlands.
Stage 8
At the bottom of the slope you will see across the field a building known as Lyulph's Tower (private). It was built as a hunting lodge by the Howard family in the 18th century. It was designed to look like a grand castle from the lake - from the land it appears a little more modest. Just before the woodland take the left hand fork then go through a gate, bearing left to rejoin the footpath to return to the Glade and car park.
End point
Aira Force National Trust car park, grid ref: NY400200
Trail map
Follow the map the of the route to enjoy Aira Force and Gowbarrow Park | © Crown copyright and database rights 2024 Ordnance Survey
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View of Ullswater and surrounding hills just after sunrise on an early spring day above the Patterdale Circular walking path. The sky is light blue with wispy clouds, the lake is still, and the fell tops have a dusting of snow. The valley floor is still in the shadow of the hills above.

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Early spring view of Ullswater Lake with surrounding fells with Seldom Seen cottages to the left on a sunny day with a blue sky.

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near Watermillock, Penrith, Cumbria, CA11 0JS

01768482067

ullswater@nationaltrust.org.uk

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Two people viewing the waterfall from a stone bridge at Aira Force

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Exploring Aira Force and Gowbarrow Park

Get a glimpse of what Aira Force and Ullswater have to offer, including walks with far-reaching views, red squirrels, picnic spots, a natural play area and water sports.

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Visiting Aira Force with your dog

Aira Force is a three pawprint rated place, and well-behaved dogs on leads are welcome here. There are water bowls around the car park and tea-room area. Please read the Canine Code to make sure everyone has an enjoyable day.

Visitors in the tearoom at Aira Force, Ullswater, Cumbria

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Eating at Aira Force

Stop for refreshments at Aira Force tea-room for a delightful selection of hot and cold drinks, cakes and sandwiches. Perfect for refuelling during your Ullswater Way walk or waterfall adventure.

Visitors admiring the waterfall at Aira Force and Ullswater, Cumbria

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Group bookings at Aira Force

Booking is essential for coach parties. Please see Aira Force’s guidance on coach parking and access, then get your group booked in for a great day out.

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Near to

Start point

Trail information

Difficulty

Full trail

Prepare for unpredictable weather

Getting here

Facilities

Accessibility

Terrain and elevation

Trail route

Total stages: 8

Total stages: 8

Start point

Stage 1

Stage 2

Point of interest

Stage 3

Point of interest

Stage 4

Point of interest

Stage 5

Point of interest

Stage 6

Point of interest

Stage 7

Stage 8

Point of interest

End point

Trail map

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