Walks in Cotterdale
From easy city strolls to challenging trails, discover the best of Cotterdale on foot.
Hardraw Force Walk
Falling 100ft, Hardraw Force is England's highest single single drop waterfall. The Route Start Point: The Green Dragon Inn, Hardraw Hawes, DL8 3LZ Finish Point: Hardraw Force Distance: 1 GPX Route Map hardrawforceDownload Walk Description what3words for start point: ///footsteps.onlookers.fund Hardraw Force is the Yorkshire Dales and is the single highest drop waterfall in England. The walk starts at the 13th century Green Dragon Inn for a small fee. The fee is worth it as you wind through the ancient woodland and along Hardraw Beck to the falls which are set in the stunning narrow gorge of Hardraw Scaur. There are few words to describe the variety of senses which are delighted when you first make your way up to this special place. Sight, sound, smells, and the feeling of the water roaring over this mighty cliff are all alive. It's a special place, and you can understand why Wordsworth stopped to write and Turner paused to paint here. It's worth the small price of entry, which keeps the waterfall and its surrounds looked after, preserved for future generations of artists and experience-seekers alike. Plus, the walking around here is top notch, too!
Walk: Great Shunner Fell
As the third highest peak in the Yorkshire Dales, Shunner Fell is a great peak to get in the bag whilst in the Yorkshire Dales. This scenic walk starts from the small village of Hardraw, near the impressive Hardraw Force waterfall, the highest unbroken waterfall in England. Follow the well-marked Pennine Way as it winds through rolling hills and rugged terrain, offering an invigorating hike of around 8 miles. The Route what3words for start point: ///baroness.drop.rebounder Start Point: Hardraw, Hawes DL8 3LZ Finish Point: Hardraw, Hawes DL8 3LZ Distance: 8 Miles GPX Route Map Great-Shunner-FellDownload Walk Description As you ascend, the path becomes steeper, rewarding walkers with increasingly spectacular views of the surrounding Wensleydale landscape. Upon reaching the summit of Great Shunner Fell, you are greeted with breath-taking panoramic views that extend across the Dales. On a clear day, you can see as far as the Lake District and the distant hills of Northumberland. The route is composed of a mixture of well-trodden paths and some more challenging sections, making it suitable for walkers with a reasonable level of fitness. Along the way, the area's natural beauty is complemented by rich wildlife, including curlews and plovers. Ensure you are prepared with appropriate footwear, weather-appropriate clothing, and sufficient water, as the weather can change quickly in the area. The walk back to Hardraw retraces the path taken to the summit.
Walk: Cotter Force
A secluded walk to the fierce Cotter Force. This woodland walk will take you to the valley of waterfalls which is series of six beautiful waterfalls. The Route what3words for start point: ///scream.angry.snores Start / Finish Point: A684, Hawes DL8 3LR Distance: 0.6 Miles GPX Route Map drawaroute-12Download Walk Description Known as ‘the valley of the waterfalls’, Wensleydale harbours many delights for the visitor. Cotter Force, west of Hawes, is a lovely secluded waterfall in a wooded setting. It is a series of about six waterfalls with the largest single drop being about 1.5m. This 490m level footpath alongside the beck is constructed of compact stone with a general width of 100cm. There are three benches evenly spaced along the footpath. Whilst walking the route look out for dippers, grey wagtails, redstarts, long tailed tits and kingfishers.