Cautley Spout

From the parking, cross the footbridge over the River Rawthey and follow the clear, level path up the valley. It is about 4 km / 2.5 miles there and back, with some steps and little ascent over good paths. After roughly 1,200 m you reach an information board, and the waterfall is ahead of you. Many people stop around here, sit by the stream and skip the climb entirely, which is a perfectly good way to see it. Underfoot conditions and weather still matter, so judge the route against your own footing and stamina.

A rough, steep path runs up alongside the fall to the top. It gets you there, but it is taxing, and the descent is harder than the way up. A fall into the gill could be fatal, so keep well back from the edge and keep children and dogs close. Continuing over the fells for a circular return is remote and strenuous; the wider loop is about 7.3 miles with roughly 2,100 ft of ascent and takes most walkers 4.5 to 5 hours.

The valley holds an Iron Age settlement, including a stone-lined avenue running toward the falls. It may have been ritual in purpose, with the waterfall as the focus. The information board on the lower path explains what you are looking at, and it changes how the walk in feels.

Flow is everything here. In dry conditions it can drop to a trickle, and it is far more impressive after sustained rain. The lay-by is small and fills quickly, and the upper path is rough and strenuous rather than a casual scramble. Sheep graze freely, so dogs need proper control.