In our opinion, this is one of the Lake District's better waterfalls (although not as good as High Force in the Durham. What a beautiful walk in the Langdale valley, whatever the weather the views are breathtaking. Best wild swimming in the Lake District for plunging into a lagoon pool from rocky ledges. A brilliant place to explore. There are some uphill sections, but also plenty of flat track. Wastwater One of the most dramatic of all wild swimming spots, the impossibly photogenic Wastwater is England's deepest lake. If you come here for a dip its worth exploring further up the valley. From the SE corner of Hodge Close quarry (itself an amazing place), a path leads up through woods to old mine ruins 300m. Surrounded by hilly woodlands crisscrossed with jogging tracks, Rydal Water is the perfect place to get active in nature. The car park has toilets which come with a 50p fee. If you are looking for freedom, stunning scenery, and the opportunity to explore the very best in wild swimming spots, then the only place to visit is the Lake District. Swimming is a fantastic exercise and when you can do it out in the open with such stunning scenery, it enhances the experience immensely. We used to talk about travelling the world together, and in 2012 we finally made that happen. # # 2 3 2 # # # # # 0909897810 . The tarn is a 5-minute walk from the car park. Hi! The pretty waterfall cascades into an emerald pool and its hard to believe such a lovely spot is both free to visit, and a mere five minute easy stroll. Always take precautions like wearing a bright swimming cap, towing a bright buoy or float behind you and by swimming as a group where possible. At Westwater, you can park right where you swim. These are ideal places for enjoying a peaceful wild swim. I defy anyone not to be wowed by the sight of this beautiful ribbon of water tumbling down the huge gorge walls. Wild Swimming Walks South Wales : 28 lake, river, waterfall and coastal days out in the Brecon Beacons, Gower and Wye Valley. This is a super fun and magnificent stretch of water. Swimmers transferring invasive, non-native weeds to some of the Lake Districts most pristine lakes is becoming a problem. Park at the White Moss Cas Park on the A591, then walk for 20 minutes anti-clockwise around the lake. Discover more great hidden places to go in the Lake District with The Wild Guide to the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales by Daniel Start. This lake is better suited to more experienced or confident wild swimmers due to the steep drop offs near the edge of the lake but that shouldnt stop it being a lake to aim for. Walk length: 1.4 miles (2.2km) return Difficulty: Easy. Surrounded by some of the most breath-taking walks and nature trails, the view from the water is just as good, if not better. Heres everything you need to know about visiting Scale Force. Youll reach it after a couple of hundred metres. You can read more in our Whorneyside Force guide. Find local news and events in your area, water campaigns that might interest you or join a group or a meeting of like-minded people. The Lake District is an excellent destination for open water swimming. This makes Eskdale a therapeutic isolated place for wild swimming in the Lake District. While on a cold day the setting might look a little forbidding, find a warm sunny afternoon and youre in for a treat. The views however, are sublime, looking out to Crummock Water and the surrounding fells. We're Cat Smith and Joe Bird, two travel fanatics from the U.K. We both caught the travel bug on solo trips in 2003 and have been hopelessly addicted ever since. Combine the swim with one of the best walks in the Lake District and youre in for a treat. Follow the track upstream for mile. Buttermere is a 30 minute drive from Keswick, 30 minutes from Cockermouth and 1 hour from Ambleside. Following the Langstrath Valley in the Borrowdale area of the Lake District, Langstrath Beck curves through steep woodlands and grassy fields before forming a small dramatic gorge pool cut into a rock ledge. So if you plan to take a dip in multiple lakes please rinse both yourself, your swimwearand any other equipment thoroughly between each swim. Daniel Start On the water May 31, 2016 10 mins. Kailpot Crag 17. Wild Swimming Walks Lake District: 28 Lake, River & Waterfall Days Out 216. by Pete Kelly. Although you cant see a waterfall, this is where Scale Force is located, and the place you want to head towards. The Lake District is one of the most. Very easy walks in the Lake District - 7 of the best. If you are worried about powerboats and other larger vessels, then you can choose one of the lakes where they are not allowed. This is Lake District swimming at its best, demanding swimmers put in the effort to get to the water before delivering superb views and a chance to feel the searing high of slipping into the. To help you find these 6 hidden gems, simply click the links below for each one, and use OS Maps to find a direct route to the spot. The closest parking is all paid parking, try and snag a spot beside the church which is cheaper than at Rydal Mount (but is right beside the entry gates). As well as the main lakes, pools, and waterfalls there are also other stunning places to swim in wild in the Lake District. The currents under the surface can be significantly stronger than above and can catch you unawares. The trail to the falls follows yet another bracken lined path, but this time it is really overgrown. 15. Wastwater is the deepest lake in the Lake District. Thanks for your support! There are plenty of hand and footholds to get down the steep dirt track, as well as tree roots for stability. 2 Never jump in unless your heart and body have already become acclimatised, you know whats below the surface and have a plan on how to get out again. Just dont attempt it if theres been a lot of rain and the flow is really strong as it could be dangerous. There are no facilities at Blea Tarn, so pack your own picnic and thermos of coffee. This should take around 20 mins. Maybe you're a seasoned open-water swimmer, or maybe you're looking to dip your toe in this thrilling activity during the warmer months. The prices are: up to 2 hours: 3.50, up to 4 hours: 6, up to 12 hours: 8, or weekly: 28 and payable every day 9am to 6pm including Sundays and bank holidays. 7 Avoid areas of blue-green algae, wading in muddy areas or swimming with an open cut. This post may contain affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, we will earn a small commission if you click through and decide to make a purchase. The tarn is located along one of the best hiking paths to Scafell Pike the highest peak in the Lake District. This will help to maintain the pristine conditions of the English Lakes. Swimming from the boats is allowed, providing you can pull yourself back in! You can read more, including details on a second swimming spot, in this guide. Overlooking Lake Ullswater, Aira Force waterfall is one of the most widely known of the waterfalls in the Lake District. Our favourite spot was the cave falls, but to be honest every cascade was breathtaking. Walk length: 3.7 miles (6km) returnDifficulty: Moderate. The walk to get there is also gorgeous, taking you alongside multiple cascades and through fabulous mossy woodland. The walk itself is pretty straightforward, but accessing the pool requires a scramble. Make sure that you are always aware of your surroundings. Some of the spots on our list are not signposted, so carry directions with you and check our individual guides for details on track conditions. Hardknott Pass, Lake District National Park, Cumbria, UK. Birks Bridge What to Consider When Wild Swimming Dangers of swimming in lakes and rivers A crucial question is always, what is the water temperature? Swimming there: At the head of a wild glen a tall, slender waterfall falls into a high basin, flows through a circular hole and drops into a plunge pool . In general, the pools are deep and good for swimming in the wild while you enjoy the water flowing down from above. This high, craggy cliff beneath Hallin Fell plummets into deep water. Companies like Head for the Hills also do beginners and advanced courses in open water swimming. Were Cat & Joe, two Brits, now living in Australia, with a passion for the outdoors and adventure travel. You can find out more details in our Ritsons Force guide. This stream has beautiful water to swim in wild through a breath-taking gorge. If you feel the current is fine stay near the bank, as the water is usually slower moving. Its deep enough to dive in from the old dam wall, and small enough that it warms up nicely in the sunshine. If youre feeling brave you can take a dip in the icy waters beneath Scale Force. Reaching the bottom of the falls is easy, and the walk is mainly flat and along a good path - almost to the pool itself. The lakes which do not have power boats or ferries include; Wastwater, Crummock Water, Buttermere and Rydal Water. River Barle, Simonsbath, Somerset, England. The magical sound and sight of the water cascading down delights us all and it would be rude not to share with you some of the most stunning swims that have embraced the magnificence of a waterfall or two. As we venture down the rocky trail, dew clings to the long grasses either side of the path like shards of tiny crystals catching the early morning light. Litter tends to breed litter, so if you do spot any and are able to pick it up and dispose of it outside the park, it will go a long way to keeping the area clean. 2023 Anywhere We Roam. All we ask is that you swim safely. After a while, the bite of the initial cold dissipates and all that remains is themagic of wild swimming in the Lake District on such a beautiful morning. The Julian Alps offer top-class swimming, including the lovely (but costly) Lake Bled lido. High up in the Lake District, Burnmoor Tarn will leave you speechless. It has a pebble shore and soon gets quite deep for a perfect wild swim. If you are less confident or experienced, practice in some of the other lakes or pools on our list. But its worth the trip and one of our favourite things to do in the Lake District. We couldnt believe it either, and yet even when we visited and the waterfall was in shadow, the water was still undeniably turquoise and absolutely exquisite. I say brave because the water is ice cold even in summer. Its so dramatic and feels like youve entered a secret world - you just cant believe that metres away lies an open landscape of lakes and fells. Always research the lake or river that you are looking at wild swimming in. The only disappointment is that unlike on our previous visit, you can no longer access the base of the falls, and therefore there is no swimming to be had! It sits underneath an old stone bridge and flows into a fern covered rocky chasm. For finding the best locations to explore, a guide such as Suzanna Swims in the north-west Lakes or Colin Hill at Ullswater can offer invaluable advice and brilliant guidance. Huge craggy mountains surround the water creating a dramatic atmosphere for a refreshing Lake District wild swim. As one of the smallest lakes in the Lake District, Rydal Water is a peaceful and serene place to go for a wild swim. Its cold already. The only thing to watch out for is a little bit of boggy terrain, not to reach every pool, but to reach a couple of goodies. That makes it an ideal spot to head to if youre in the Lakes on a wet day, but still want to get outside. Wild Swimming Walks Lake District; Wild Swimming Walks Lake District - 28 lake, river and waterfall days out. 5 If you plan on swimming across deep water then do not go on your own, its safer and more fun with others. In terms of the walk, its very easy and barely has any uphill whatsoever. You can reach the falls via several different tracks, most of which are very quick and easy. All the details on the walk, as well as another waterfall nearby (not on this list) are in this guide. The temperature may be cold, especially so in deeper areas. Tongue Pot - Image: Daniel Start//WildSwimming.com, The legendary Tongue Pot forms a long emerald pool beneath a roaring waterfall in a cleft of the mountain stream, just beneath a mountain packhorse bridge. Read Next Great things to do in the Yorkshire Dales. From river swims and lake dips to a good soak under a waterfall, have plenty of spots spread right across the county that are ideal for a truly immersive Lake District experience! Beckenham Place Park Swimming Lake, London, England. At its deepest point the lakebed is over 250 feet below the surface whilst Scafell Pike, England's highest mountain, towers above Wastwater at over 3,200 feet high. It's an activity that has gained popularity over the last few years and the Lake District is top on the list of places to go for many wild swimmers. Its not run by the National Trust, so members wont park free here. Thanks for your support. The closest car park to the trail head for Scale Force Waterfall is at the Buttermere Court Hotel - postcode CA13 9XA, its a pay and display car park. The water is clear, peaty and cold, flowing straight off the hills. The path above the campsite leads through the woods mile to find first set of pools, below on L, followed by the main pool after another 200m. The waterfall has a series of drops, each with its own unique beauty. The book takes you on magical journeys through Britain's most popular walking and swimming region, combining classic Lakes fell walking with . You can find out more about how to reach the higher pools here. 15 mins. You can sit in the window seat, which feels like youve stepped into the pages of a childrens storybook. Its gorgeous at any time of year, but if youre visiting in autumn, youll be treated to some wonderful fall colours. It takes just a few minutes, but would be slippery after rain, so it does require care. Litter tends to breed litter, so if you do spot any and are able to pick it up and dispose of it outside the park, it will go a long way to keeping the area clean. Tongue Pot is a deep pool with high walls perfect for leaping into for a more expansive swim. In terms of majesty it has to be one of the most incredible waterfalls in England. With rivers forming picturesque canyons,delightful babbling brooks and natural lagoon plunge pools,theres a wild swim in the Lake District for all tastes.