Hawes and Aysgill Force

A closed circular loop of 4 miles (6.5 km) starting and finishing at the Hawes National Park Centre and Dales Countryside Museum. The official leaflet gives a minimum of 1.5 hours, but allow around 2.5 hours if you want to manage the steps, stiles and the rocky ground near the falls without rushing.

• From the museum entrance, cross the road into Hawes and take the footpath opposite the White Hart.
• Follow the flagged path across Belah Bank to the Wensleydale Creamery, then turn toward Gayle, using the lane and cobbled footpath between the cottages.
• Take the signed path up through fields beside Gayle Beck to Aysgill Force, crossing stiles and descending steep steps to the water.
• The beck runs through a narrow wooded gorge, and the final approach to the falls is rocky and slippery.
• Continue beside the beck past a concrete bridge and through meadows, then past a field barn and a second concrete bridge onto a rough track.
• Return via a green lane and a walled lane, then follow the Pennine Way through fields back past the Creamery to Hawes.

Rated 6/10 and described officially as quite strenuous. Expect steep sections, narrow stiles, exposed tree roots and ledges near the waterfall, plus slippery rock at the falls themselves. Underfoot you get flagged path, village lane and cobbles, field paths, a rough track and walled lanes. The profile climbs from about 232 m at the start to a high point near 340 m, with roughly 130 m of ascent spread across the loop. Boots with grip are the sensible choice, and anyone uneasy on uneven ground or near drops should think carefully before committing to the gorge section.

The walk strings together Hawes and Gayle village character, open Wensleydale field patterns, walled lanes and the enclosed wooded gorge that holds the falls. Because Aysgill Force sits in a tight, shaded gorge, soft overcast light handles the contrast far better than bright midday sun. Give yourself time at the falls rather than shooting from the steps.

• Parking: Hawes National Park Centre, DL8 3NT (grid reference SD 87499 89821).
• Start point: the National Park Centre and Dales Countryside Museum entrance.
• Toilets: on Hawes main street and at the Dales Countryside Museum.
• Refreshments: pubs, shops and cafes in Hawes.

Dogs are welcome on this public rights of way route. Official guidance is to keep dogs on a lead on rights of way and in fields with livestock, and to use a short lead from March through July because ground-nesting birds are easily disturbed. Note that the stiles and steep steps make this a demanding outing for many dogs.

If you want the waterfall without the stiles, steps and slippery rock, head instead to Cotter Force, west of Hawes. It is a short, specially graded Miles without Stiles route suitable for pushchairs and wheelchair users, and a genuinely easier way to see falling water.