To get there from the M6 at Penrith follow the A66 towards Keswick. Look out for the A592 Ullswater road. Follow this to reach the Aira Force car park and teashop, which is well signed.

Map: OS OL5

Grid reference: 396 211

Distance: 3.5 miles

A note of caution: the route up to and around the waterfalls is steep but well worth the effort. Take care also as parts of the route are very close to often fast moving water. The track can be slippery after rain but on the day of my visit it was both dry and hot.

Route

1 At the car park cross a field to reach a woodland area on the right. In the wood I had a clear view of a green woodpecker. A few years ago I was given a drawing of this bird by the Lancashire artist Carol Pugh. Turn right over a small footbridge and then left to follow Aira Beck which in almost all weathers is tumbling down towards Ullswater.

2 This is a steep climb and so time should be taken ‘to enjoy the view.’ High Force is soon reached on the left and the 70-feet high and wide cascade is one of the finest in Britain. It is worthwhile at this point to spend time at the footbridge with white foaming water beneath.

3 Follow the obvious path to reach yet another little woodland and for once the sun was so hot that I welcomed its shade. After the wood the path leads between fields and leads to a junction. Turn left into the little hamlet of Dockray. At the hamlet follow a minor road for a short distance.

4 When an old quarry is reached where there is also a little car park turn left to reach High Force. Here turn sharp right and now follow Aira Beck on the left.

5 The going gets easier now as it descends towards Aira Force which is another wonderful waterfall. Here I was really lucky as the sunlight filtered through the trees and the water produced not one but two rainbows. This is a great stroll because the path is always obvious and easy to follow. I had to ‘force’ my way to leave Aira Force and return to the car park and my starting point.

NB: Restrictions on space mean that this article provides a general summary of the route. It is advisable for anyone who plans to follow the walk to take a copy of the relevant Ordnance Survey map.