Hardraw Force Walk: Yorkshire Dales Waterfall Guide

Where Hardraw Force is

The fall lies just behind the Green Dragon Inn at Hardraw, in the dale of Wensleydale within the Yorkshire Dales National Park. The nearest town is Hawes, a market town about 2 miles (3 km) away along the Pennine Way, which makes either village or town a sensible base. Hardraw itself is a tiny settlement, so most walkers arrive from Hawes or by car.

The National Trail listing places the waterfall within the grounds of the Green Dragon Inn, at Hardraw near Hawes in North Yorkshire. It is one of several waterfalls scattered around Wensleydale, along with Aysgarth Falls and the smaller falls near Gayle and Cotter Force, so a visit here can anchor a waterfall-focused day in the dale.

Trailhead and parking

The walk starts from the car park behind the Green Dragon Inn, where a visitor centre and café sit at the entrance to the path. Parking here is free, and toilets are available at the visitor centre, which makes this the most practical starting point for a short outing with children or a picnic.

Access to the path itself is paid, because the waterfall stands on private land. You pay at the visitor centre behind the pub before walking through, and cards are accepted. The visitor centre also supplies a small map showing the low-level and upper routes, which is helpful on a first visit.

Distance, ascent and time

The low-level route is about 0.6 miles (1 km) round trip from the car park behind the pub, with roughly 50 ft (15 m) of total ascent and a walking time of around 45 minutes at an easy pace. That short distance and gentle gradient make it one of the most accessible waterfall walks in the dale.

The upper route adds a climb to the top of the fall, so allow more time and expect a steeper path than the riverside stroll. If you are combining the falls with the walk from Hawes, budget around half an hour from Hawes to Hardraw and about an hour for the return leg via Sedbusk.

The low-level route

From the visitor centre, the path runs alongside Hardraw Beck through light woodland, with three small footbridges that you can cross or skip as you choose. The ground is uneven in places and can be slippery after rain, so grippy footwear is a better choice than smooth trainers.

The path ends at the base of the fall, where the water drops in a single curtain about 100 ft (30 m) high. This is the more impressive view of the two, because you can stand close to the plunge pool and feel the spray.

The upper route

A higher path climbs to the top of the waterfall, giving a different perspective looking down the drop rather than up at it. The climb is short but steeper than the riverside path, and the reward is the view over the ravine and the dale beyond. Treat wet rock with care on the way up, and keep children close near the edge at the top.

The map issued at the visitor centre shows both routes clearly, so you can decide at the entrance whether to do the low-level walk alone or add the upper loop. On a short visit, the base of the fall gives the better photograph; the upper path is for those with a little more time and a head for the climb.

Access and entry rules

The waterfall and its paths sit on private land, and an admission fee is charged at the visitor centre to walk through. Current rates and opening hours are published by the Green Dragon Inn and its visitor centre, so confirm those before setting out, especially in winter when the site can close in bad weather.

Swimming is not allowed at the falls, so plan to enjoy the water from the bank rather than the pool. Dogs are welcome on leads, and cleaning up after them keeps the riverside path pleasant for everyone.

Facilities at the falls

The visitor centre by the Green Dragon has a café and toilets, so you can warm up or eat before and after the walk. Availability outside the main season varies, so treat these as convenient extras rather than a guarantee on a winter morning.

The Green Dragon itself is a classic dales pub next to the car park, which makes Hardraw a natural stop for lunch after a morning on the path. Bring a waterproof layer, because the falls sit in a shaded ravine that stays damp even on a bright day.

Hazards on the path

The rock at the base of the fall is wet and slick, and signs warn against walking behind the curtain of water because of falling rock. Stay on the marked path and keep to the viewing area rather than ducking behind the falls for a photo.

After heavy rain the beck rises quickly and the stones underfoot turn greasy, so take the low path slowly with young children. In icy conditions the upper path in particular becomes a poor choice without proper footwear.

Hawes to Hardraw Force on foot

From Hawes you can walk to the falls on the Pennine Way, a route of about 2 miles (3 km) that climbs gently out of town and crosses fields before dropping into Hardraw. Allow around half an hour for the walk in, which turns a five-minute drive into a half-day outing.

Walking in from Hawes means you arrive at the falls on foot and can stop at the Green Dragon before paying at the visitor centre. This is the better option if you are staying in Hawes without a car, since it needs no parking and no bus.

Returning via Sedbusk

For a loop rather than an out-and-back, return from Hardraw via Simonstone and Sedbusk, climbing out of the village before the path levels and turns east. The climb gives wide views over Wensleydale, and the return leg takes about an hour back to Hawes.

The Sedbusk return adds variety to a short day and is worth the extra effort for the views alone, but it makes the outing a proper half-day walk rather than a quick stop. Save it for when you have a few hours and decent weather.

When to go

The falls look their best after rain, when the beck runs full and the single drop carries real weight. Autumn is a particularly good time, with the woodland above Hardraw turning color and the water still lively.

In a dry summer the flow can drop to a thin ribbon, so if the waterfall is the main reason for your visit, watch the weather in the days before you go. Winter ice on the upper path and a shut visitor centre can make the low-level route the only sensible option.

Other waterfalls near Hawes

Aysgill Force, reached by a footpath from Gayle just outside Hawes, is a quieter fall and a good companion to Hardraw on the same day. Cotter Force lies about 2 miles (3 km) from Hawes, with a layby for a handful of cars and a short gravel path that suits wheelchairs.

Aysgarth Falls is the largest of the Wensleydale waterfalls and sits a short drive east of Hawes, so it pairs naturally with Hardraw if you want a full day of falling water. Treat these as add-ons rather than a single route, since each has its own short path from a separate car park.

If you want more of the national park's walking after the falls, the walks in yorkshire dales range from short waterfall strolls to long moorland days. The climbing and river scenery of the ingleton waterfalls trail make a fine contrast to Wensleydale's softer woodland falls for a second day out. If you are weighing up a longer trip, hiking in Northumberland offers a very different day of wild moorland and coast.

Where to base yourself

Hawes has pubs, cafés and guesthouses, plus the Wensleydale Creamery and the Dales Countryside Museum, which makes it the most practical base for the falls. Staying in town also means you can walk to Hardraw on the Pennine Way and leave the car parked.

Public transport in the dale is thin, with DalesBus services running to Hawes from rail stations such as Garsdale, Northallerton and Leeds but on limited schedules. Check the current timetables before you rely on a bus, and treat a car as the easier option for combining several waterfalls in one day.

Plan Your Visit

The Hardraw Force walk suits anyone with an hour to spare and a taste for easy waterfall scenery, with the low-level path along Hardraw Beck doing most of the work. Add the upper route if you want the view from the top, and extend the day from Hawes on foot via Sedbusk for a fuller loop.

Pay at the visitor centre, park behind the Green Dragon, and check with the inn for current opening days before a winter trip. With the falls as your anchor, the other waterfalls of Wensleydale make an easy second stop.