High Force and Low Force Waterfall Loop

This easy loop in Upper Teesdale packs a lot into roughly 7 km / 4.3 miles, with only about 100 m / 330 ft of climbing, making it a very manageable outing for families, casual walkers, and anyone wanting a short day in one of northern England’s most dramatic river landscapes. The route is usually started from Bowlees Visitor Centre, Bowlees, Newbiggin-in-Teesdale, Barnard Castle, County Durham, DL12 0XE, a well-known trailhead between Middleton-in-Teesdale and High Force. Bowlees sits in the North Pennines National Landscape and UNESCO Global Geopark, and the walk links two of the River Tees’ best-known waterfalls: the broad, stepped cascades of Low Force and the much taller plunge of High Force. (northpennines.org.uk)

From Bowlees, the opening stretch is gentle and straightforward, with a good path leading toward the river. Within about 0.5 km / 0.3 miles, you reach the area around Low Force, where the Tees spreads and tumbles over dark rock shelves rather than dropping in one single vertical fall. This section is especially attractive after rain, when the river is louder and fuller, but the same conditions can make rock edges, steps, and exposed roots slick. The path here is popular and generally easy to follow, though it is worth slowing down near viewpoints and riverbanks, especially with children. Bowlees’ official visitor information notes that the path to Low Force is about 500 m one way and that there is a road crossing on the way, so extra care is needed early in the walk. (northpennines.org.uk)

Along the River Tees

Beyond Low Force, the route continues upstream on the riverside path, often following the line of the Pennine Way, through a mix of open dale scenery and pockets of woodland. This middle section is where the walk feels most varied: one moment you are beside rushing water and rock ledges, the next you are moving through trees with glimpses into the gorge. Expect uneven ground in places, short flights of steps, and some muddy patches after wet weather, but nothing especially strenuous given the overall easy grading. If using a navigation app, HiiKER is the best tool to keep the loop clear, especially where field paths and return tracks diverge from the river. The total ascent is modest, but the route does include a few short rises as it leaves and regains the riverside. (gps-routes.co.uk)

The star landmark is High Force, where the River Tees drops about 21 m / 70 ft into a plunge pool below. Geologically, this is one of the signature sights of the North Pennines: the waterfall exists because the river crosses the Whin Sill, a hard igneous rock layer that resists erosion more effectively than the softer rocks around it. That contrast has created both High Force and the stepped ledges at Low Force, and it is a major reason Upper Teesdale is so important as a landscape and geosite. The gorge around High Force can feel surprisingly wild for such a short walk, with spray in the air, steep wooded sides, and a constant roar from the falls when water levels are high. (northpennines.org.uk)

Wildlife, Plants, and Landscape Character

Although many walkers come mainly for the waterfalls, the surrounding landscape is just as significant. Upper Teesdale is known for its rare flora, glacial legacy, and upland habitats, and the wider North Pennines supports extensive hay meadows, heath, blanket bog, breeding waders, black grouse, and species such as otter and red squirrel. Around Bowlees itself, there are also wildflower-rich areas and invertebrate habitats, particularly near Bowlees Quarry and the beck-side trails. On the loop, hikers are most likely to notice woodland birds, riverside plant life, meadow flowers in season, and the changing textures of the dale as pasture gives way to rock, scrub, and moorland edge. (visitmiddleton.co.uk)

Historically, this part of Teesdale is shaped by both geology and industry. The same tough rock that forms the waterfalls helped define the dale’s dramatic landforms, while the wider area has a long history of farming, routeways, and lead mining. Near Bowlees, Wynch Bridge is one of the notable local landmarks tied to that past; the first bridge here was built in 1741 to improve crossing of the upper river during the period when lead mining was expanding in the