Yorkshire is absolutely teeming with outdoor wonder.
Having lived close to the border of âGods own countyâ throughout most of my life, safe to say Iâve spent countless hours exploring the region’s vast & varied beauty.
From scenic trails and crystal-clear reservoirs, to ancient woodlands and gruelling hill climbs; during my outings Iâve also been fortunate to visit a plethora of Yorkshire’s jaw-dropping waterfalls.
Separating the wheat from the chaff so you donât have to, Iâve worked hard to compile what I consider 10 of the very best waterfalls on offer in the county of Yorkshire.
Iâve even gone and thrown a few hidden gems in there for good measure.
Concentrating on the regions of West & North Yorkshire (where most of the countyâs best waterfalls are clustered), many of these falls are also in close proximity to one another – perfect if you’re planning on visiting more than one on your next excursion!
Interested? Letâs get to it đđ
Best waterfalls in Yorkshire
Best waterfalls in North Yorkshire
Famed as being home to the legendary Yorkshire Dales National Park, safe to say North Yorkshire is a haven for outdoorsy folks.
Also host to a whole variety of epic waterfalls to discover, pay a visit to any of these spots and I guarantee you wonât be disappointed by the cascading views on offer.
Gordale Scar
Situated just near the famed Malham Cove in Malham, Gordale Scar truly is a marvel to behold.
A gigantic 100-metre high limestone ravine with two epic waterfalls, itâs speculated Gordale Scar could have been created by either water from melting glaciers or a cavern collapse.
Famed 18th Century painter Edward Dayes best describes the sheer magnitude of the scar as
The rock dart their bold and rugged fronts to the heavens, and impending fearfully over the head of the spectactor, seem to threaten his immediate destruction.
With the first waterfall visible from the bottom of Gordale Scar, daring hikers are able to scramble upwards via a public right of way to check out the second waterfall.
From here, youâll be rewarded with an even more picturesque cascading fall from up top, as you can see Gordale Beck plunging straight out of the limestone cliff face.
Please note however, itâs recommended to only attempt the scramble in dry conditions. The terrain gets notoriously slippery after rainfall!
Did you know? â Gordale Scar made an appearance in Netflixâs fantasy hit âThe Witcherâ (Season 2, Episode 3: âWhat is Lostâ). For other Witcher Filming locations, be sure to check out our Lake District Witcher Guide!
If the weather permits and your ability allows, after scrambling up top you could even make your way towards Malham Tarn â another picturesque natural wonder worth your attention.
The water that pours out of the scar is full of lime and this is deposited on the rocks as browny spongy tufa, so please take care to not damage the tufa when visiting.
Janetâs Foss
With Gordale Beck flowing onwards from Gordale Scar, the fast moving water soon makes it way towards & over Janetâs Foss, another nearby waterfall shrouded in fascinating folklore.
Itâs not surprising really, the waterfall is incredibly atmospheric, nestled within fairytale-like woodlands and engulfed by tranquil Yorkshire countryside.
While the waterfall & plunge pool may be small, itâs certainly big in character and has featured in a plethora of walking books through the years.
Itâs fabled that Janet Foss derives its name from Jennet, Queen of the Fairies, whoâs said to reside in one of the small caves behind the waterfall.
Foss is the Nordic word for waterfall, still used in Scandinavia today and often titled in England as âforceâ.
Keep your eyes peeled for the coin studded tree barks during your visit and even make a wish to the Queen of the Fairies for yourself.
Having long been used as a natural sheep dip for local farmers and a popular paddling spot amongst wild swimmers, Janetâs Foss – along with Gordale Scar – is best found via a fantastic circular walk around the local area that also includes a visit to the jaw-dropping wonder that is Malham Cove.
For all you need to about this hike, be sure to head over to our Ultimate Malham Cove Walk Guide!
Hull Pot
Best tied in with a hike up Pen-y-ghent, Hull Pot truly is a sight to behold.
Offering visitors with spectacular cascading vistas & surrounded by classic Yorkshire 3 Peaks countryside, there’s good reason as to why its such a popular location with outdoor photographers.
Top tip â Why not tie in a visit to Hull Pot with an attempt at the Yorkshire 3 Peaks Challenge?
An impressively large collapsed cavern, the gaping hole measures 91 metres (300 feet) long by 18 metres (60 feet) wide by 18 metres (60 feet) deep.
If youâre not good with heights, safe to say you’ll have quaky legs when looking at this waterfall!
In wet conditions in particular, Hull Pot Beck violently cascades over into the ominous cavern which was described by an eighteenth century guidebook as looking
like the inside of an enormous old Gothic castle, the high ruinous walls of which were left standing after the roof was fallen in.
Planning on a visit? Then feel free to read through our Ultimate Pen-y-ghent Walk Guide for all the info you need.
Valley of Desolation Waterfall
Iâd argue that Valley of Desolation has the best name for a waterfall in the whole of the UK.
It sounds like something pulled straight out of a medieval fantasy novel.
Fun fact â A serene & picturesque valley linking the River Wharfe Corridor to Barden Fell, The Valley Of Desolation obtained its name after a vicious storm devastated much of the area in 1826.
The sights of the waterfall are just as epic as the name suggests and in my opinion is best combined with a hike up to the summit of Simonâs Seat.
Residing on the Bolton Abbey Estate, unfortnately the official car parks to access the grounds have become rather expensive as of late, costing a whopping ÂŁ15 per vehicle!
Thatâs why weâd recommend parking in a lesser-known secret spot which won’t cost you a penny!
Conveniently situated in walking distance of both Simonâs Seat & the Valley of Desolation, click through to our detailed Simonâs Seat & Valley Of Desolation Walk Guide for the full lowdown!
Ingleton Waterfalls Trail
One trail. Six waterfalls. Enough said!
Located at the base of Ingleborough, the Ingleton Falls Trail is a 4.3-mile circular loop hailed for having some of the most picturesque waterfall & woodland scenery in the UK.
With Ingleton long known for its natural wonder, newspaper articles detailing the areaâs beauty in the late 19th Century spurred on great public interest, eventually leading to the trail officially opening to the public in 1885.
Located on private land, entry does cost ÂŁ10 per adult and ÂŁ5 per child, though the money helps go towards the impressive upkeep required to keep the trail looking so well-kempt.
Located at the point where where the Rivers Twiss and River Doe meet, Ingleton is host to a variety of unique waterfall formations.
Home to a whopping six falls in total, this easy-to-follow route should take most around 3 hours to complete. Keep your eyes peeled and see if you can uncover all 6!
These are:
- Pecca Falls
- Hollybrush Sprout
- Thornton Force
- Beezley Falls
- Baxenghyll Gorge
- Snow Falls
Best waterfalls in West Yorkshire
A region I hold particularly close to my heart, West Yorkshire is pretty much on my doorstep so Iâve spent countless hours exploring whatâs on offer here throughout the years.
Home to charming villages such as Hebden Bridge, and even used as the filming location for the BBC hit series âHappy Valleyâ, hiding in the countryside you can find a number of picture-perfect waterfalls just waiting to be discovered.
You just need to know where to look for them!
Lumb Falls
Tucked away in the craggy landscape surrounding Hebden Bridge lies a hidden waterfall only few folks know aboutâŚ
Lumb Hole Falls, (also dubbed the Hebden Bridge Waterfall), this Yorkshire gem has been enjoyed by those in the know as a favourite hiking, picnic and wild swimming location for years.
Offering picture perfect views, you may even discover the moss-covered falls abundant with wild plant life such as blue bells and wild garlic during season.
While only a 10-minute drive from the centre of Hebden Bridge for those wanting direct access, to get the most out of your outing Iâd recommend seeing the waterfall via the Lumb Hole Falls Circular Trail, which also takes in much more of the valley.
Along the 15-kilometre route taking you through hardcastle crags youâll encounter a variety of terrain, such as enchanted woodlands, rolling open pastures and historic derelict ruins before dropping down the sheltered Lumb Falls location.
For the full guide on how to find the waterfall, be sure to check out our Lumb Hole Falls Guide!
Gibson Mill
If the Lumb Falls walk is sounding a little too much for you, then you can alternatively stick to staying within the boundaries of Hard Castle Crags and enjoying the waterfalls here instead.
The historic Gibson Mill has a picturesque waterfall beside it, and even comes kitted out with some nearby stepping stones.
A nice easy stroll from Hardcastle Crags Midgehole Car Park, there are also various other hidden waterfalls you can spot throughout the valley.
With numerous colour-coded trails on offer weaving through the scenic valley, keep alert during your stroll and see if you can spot any!
For example, on our last visit we discovered this little gem, located just to the right of the Estate Track shortly before reaching Gibson Mill.
If youâre planning on visiting the craggy valley, be sure to read through our Ultimate Hard Castle Crags Guide for more information!
Bronte Waterfall
No trip to Yorkshire would be complete without a stop off in Bronte Country.
Deriving its name from the BrontĂŤ sisters – three of Englandâs most iconic 19th Century poets and novelists â the most famed walk in the region by far is the BrontĂŤ Falls Waterfall Trail.
During their time living in the idyllic village of Haworth, the nearby BrontĂŤ Waterfall was a popular walking spot for the three sisters and clearly had a BIG influence on their writings.
For instance, the ruined farmhouse Top Withens – located close to the waterfall – is even said to be Heathcliffâs home in Wuthering Heights!
A sight to behold after rainy conditions, the waterfall is admittedly more of a trickle during dryer days!
Nevertheless, the iconic landscape here is breathtaking and by the waterfall youâll also spot the famous Bronte Bridge & Bronte Falls poem.
The poem reads:
O Lord
How Manifold
Are thy works!
In Wisdom Hast
Thou Made Them All:
The Earth Is Full
Of Thy Riches
Father Almighty wonderful Lord,
Wondrous Creator, be ever adored;
Wonders of nature
sing praises to you,
Wonder of wonders-
I may praise too!
A relatively easy walk suitable for all ages, this trail also finishes in Haworth which is well worth a mooch.
For all you need to know, donât forget to read through our Ultimate Bronte Waterfall Guide!
Gorpley Clough
A criminally underrated hike hiding just to the west of Todmorden, Gorpley Clough serves as a hidden paradise for the small minority in the know.
A great choice for those whoâd like to escape the crowds, this steep-sided wooded valley trail guides you right beside the river and offers dramatic views of the water cascading downstream throughout.
Even better, towards the top end of the footpath youâll be treated to glorious views of Gorpley Reservoir; a fantastic spot for nature watching and picnicking.
With parking options available at Gorpley Clough Car Park or along the A681, this trail can be comfortably completed by most in 1-2 hours, making it an ideal location for squeezing in a morning or afternoon stroll.
Ogden Waterfall
Finishing up our list with another lesser-known gem, Ogden Water Country Park lies between the towns of Halifax, Bradford and Keighley and provides visitors with plenty of splendid walking options.
Home to a 34-acre reservoir, plenty of woodland & moorlands to explore plus sublime panoramas of the surrounding Pennine Hills, thereâs also a belting waterfall here well worth a gander!
For seasoned ramblers wanting to prolong their hike, thereâs also the option to venture out from Ogden Water Country Park and pay a visit to Warley Moor Reservoir, located just to the west of the park.
Best waterfalls in Yorkshire map
More Yorkshire resources
While youâre hereâŚ
Why not explore more posts in the Yorkshire section of our little ol’ blog?
Full of outdoor adventure inspiration, for hiking fanatics Iâd particularly recommend trawling through our detailed post listing 11 Of The BEST Walks In Yorkshire!
Happy walking đśđś