From your base at Karnten Cottage, it’s a lovely 25-minute drive east into Swaledale to reach one of the Dales’ best-kept secrets: a double waterfall walk that’ll have you questioning why more people don’t know about this gem. Catrake Force and Wain Wath Force sit within easy walking distance of each other along the River Swale, creating the perfect excuse for a proper Yorkshire ramble.<\/p>\n
Park up in Keld \u2013 there’s a small car park near the village, though it fills quickly on sunny weekends. The beauty of this walk is that you can tackle it as a gentle there-and-back stroll or incorporate it into a longer circular route, depending on how your legs are feeling and whether you’ve packed enough sandwiches.<\/p>\n
Start with Catrake Force, the more dramatic of the pair. Follow the Pennine Way south from Keld for about ten minutes, and you’ll hear it before you see it \u2013 that distinctive rumble of water hitting rock that makes your heart skip a beat. The force drops in a series of stepped cascades, creating natural pools that catch the light beautifully when the sun hits just right.<\/p>\n
The path can be a bit boggy after rain (and let’s be honest, when isn’t it a bit boggy in the Dales?), so proper walking boots are essential. There’s a lovely viewpoint from the footbridge where you can watch the water tumble down the limestone steps, each pool reflecting the sky like nature’s own mirror.<\/p>\n
Wain Wath Force is the gentler cousin \u2013 a broader, more sedate waterfall that spreads across the full width of the river. It’s another ten-minute walk downstream, and the path follows the river closely, giving you glimpses of the water through the trees. This one’s particularly stunning in autumn when the surrounding woodland turns amber and gold, creating a natural frame for the falling water.<\/p>\n
What strikes you most about both falls is the sound \u2013 not the thunderous roar you get at somewhere like Hardraw Force, but a more conversational babble, as if the river’s telling you stories about all the places it’s been. It’s the kind of sound that makes you want to find a flat rock and sit for longer than you planned.<\/p>\n
The full walk between both forces and back to Keld takes about an hour and a half if you’re stopping to admire the views (and why wouldn’t you?). The terrain is fairly straightforward \u2013 mostly level walking with a few gentle ups and downs \u2013 making it perfect for a morning constitutional before settling in somewhere cosy for lunch.<\/p>\n
Speaking of which, after working up an appetite, Muker is just five minutes down the road and has a couple of good spots for a proper brew and a bite. The village itself is worth a wander \u2013 all grey stone cottages and that particular Swaledale charm that makes you understand why people fall in love with this part of Yorkshire.<\/p>\n
If you’re feeling energetic, the walk connects beautifully with other paths in the area. You can extend it up to Kisdon Force (another corker of a waterfall) or make it part of a longer circular route back to Keld via the hillside paths. The OS map will be your friend here, and the views across upper Swaledale are worth the extra effort.<\/p>\n
Pack layers \u2013 the valley can be surprisingly sheltered and warm, but step out of the tree cover and the wind reminds you exactly which county you’re in. A thermos never goes amiss either. There’s something deeply satisfying about hot tea drunk while sitting beside a Yorkshire waterfall, watching the world go by at river-speed.<\/p>\n
This is the kind of walk that sends you back to Karnten Cottage with muddy boots, rosy cheeks, and that particular satisfaction that comes from discovering somewhere genuinely special. The double falls of upper Swaledale aren’t trying to impress anyone \u2013 they’re just getting on with being beautiful, which somehow makes them all the more remarkable.<\/p>\n
*Images are for illustration purposes only and may not represent exact locations or conditions*<\/p>\n
—<\/p>\n
\nDisclaimer:<\/strong> Featured images are for illustration purposes only and may not represent exact locations, conditions, or seasons. Weather, lighting, and scenery vary throughout the year. Always check current conditions before planning your visit.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The Double Delight: Catrake Force and Wain Wath Force From your base at Karnten Cottage, it’s a lovely 25-minute drive east into Swaledale to reach one of the Dales’ best-kept…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":6882,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_yoast_wpseo_focuskw":"","_yoast_wpseo_title":"","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-6883","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-the-dales-blog"},"yoast_head":"\n