Scale Force

Scale Force: The Lake District's Highest Waterfall

You hear the roar before you see it. Then the gorge opens, the trees close in from above, and a single white ribbon of water drops 120 feet in one clean plunge before gathering itself again and falling further into the mossy, dark-walled chasm below. This is Scale Force — the highest waterfall in the Lake District, hidden on the northern flank of Red Pike above Crummock Water, and one of the most dramatic and least-visited sights in Lakeland.

William Wordsworth described it as "a fine chasm, with a lofty, though but slender, fall of water." Samuel Taylor Coleridge, who had a gift for the perfectly unexpected image, called it "the white downfall of which glimmered through the trees, that hang before it like the bushy hair over a madman's eyes." Both were right. Scale Force is lofty, slender, and just slightly unnerving — a place where the light changes and the sound fills the gorge and you feel, suddenly, a long way from anywhere.

Here is everything you need to plan a visit.

About Scale Force

Scale Force tumbles down the hillside in three drops, with a total height normally given as 170 feet (51.8 metres). The main, central fall — a clean single plunge of around 120 feet — is the one that takes your breath away, dropping vertically into a narrow chasm of moss-covered Lakeland rock. Two smaller drops of around 20 feet each complete the cascade. Sources differ slightly on the precise total — some say 172 feet — because measuring a waterfall hidden in a deep, irregular gorge is not straightforward. Whatever the exact figure, the consensus is clear: Scale Force is the highest waterfall in the English Lake District.

The force is fed by Scale Beck, which drains the high ground of Red Pike and flows into Crummock Water. The gorge it occupies is unusually deep and narrow, the walls thickly clothed in ferns, mosses and ancient trees, which give it a permanently shadowed, cathedral-like quality. Even on a bright summer day, the light inside the gorge is dim and green. The whole site is National Trust land, part of the Buttermere Valley estate.

Getting there

By car, follow the B5289 into the Buttermere Valley — from Keswick, heading south through Borrowdale and over Honister Pass; from Cockermouth, via the B5292 and then forking right on to the B5289 at Lorton. The National Trust car park in Buttermere village (CA13 9XA) is the starting point for the walk. Keswick is around 11 miles away and Cockermouth about the same; allow around 30 minutes from either. The roads into the valley are narrow, winding and genuinely spectacular — take them steadily, especially Honister Pass.

By public transport, the Honister Rambler (Stagecoach 77/77A) runs a seasonal circular service from Keswick, via Borrowdale and Honister Pass, to Buttermere's Court Hotel stop. It runs daily from Easter to October; check the current timetable before relying on it, as it does not operate in winter. From the Court Hotel stop, the car park and trailhead are a short walk.

If you're arriving from further afield and would rather not tackle the mountain roads, a local transfer is available.

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Where does the name come from?

Force is straightforward — the Norse word fors for waterfall, used across northern England and still heard in Cumbrian place names today. Scale is rather more interesting: it most likely derives from the Old Norse skáli, meaning a shieling or shepherd's hut — a temporary shelter used when driving cattle to high summer pastures. The Scandinavian settlers who farmed these valleys left traces of their language across every ridge and valley, and the name Scale Force is a quiet reminder that people have worked and sheltered in this landscape for a thousand years.

The walk and the trails

From the Buttermere village car park, the route to Scale Force is around 2.5 miles each way — a five-mile round trip. There are two main approaches, and it is worth knowing the character of each.

The shorter, direct route follows a clear path alongside Crummock Water to Scale Bridge, then climbs steadily alongside Scale Beck to the foot of the falls. The terrain is mixed: good paths along the lakeshore, but boggy, uneven and sometimes trackless ground on the approach to the gorge. The final section requires a short scramble over loose, wet rock — genuinely tricky in wet weather and not suitable for young children or anyone unsteady on their feet. Allow around two hours return, more if the ground is wet.

The circular route (7.5 miles, 4–5 hours, moderate) adds the walk around Buttermere lake, passing through the famous Hassness tunnel — a short, narrow rock passage carved through the cliff beside the lakeshore. This is a classic Lakeland day out, combining the lake circuit with the detour to Scale Force, and returning via higher paths with views over both Buttermere and Crummock Water.

For the serious fell walker, Scale Force sits at the foot of the Red Pike — High Stile ridge, one of the finest high-level ridges in the western Lakes. An ascent of Red Pike from the force gives the full mountain experience.

Parking

The National Trust car park in Buttermere village (CA13 9XA) is the main option — pay-and-display for non-members, free for National Trust members. There is also a National Trust car park at Lanthwaite Wood, closer to Crummock Water, which is another starting point for the walk. Check the National Trust website for current charges and any updates. Both car parks fill quickly on summer weekends; arriving early in the morning is essential.

The car park has toilets, though a small charge applies. Limited parking also exists at Gatesgarth at the southern end of Buttermere — useful if the main car park is full.

Facilities

Buttermere village is small — a handful of farms, a chapel and very little else — but what it has is genuinely useful. Syke Farm Tea Room, run by the National Trust tenants, serves hot drinks, sandwiches, cakes and ice cream and is a welcome reward before or after the walk. There are toilets at the National Trust car park.

Beyond that, Buttermere is unsupported: there are no facilities on the trail to Scale Force, and the gorge itself is National Trust land with no staffed presence. Come fully self-sufficient for the walk, with water, food and appropriate kit.

For a wider range of shops, cafés and facilities, Keswick is around half an hour's drive away.

Things to know before you go

Best time to visit. After heavy rain for the most dramatic flow — Scale Force in full spate is a genuinely thundering sight. Spring brings fresh green to the gorge, summer fills the woodland with birdsong, and autumn turns the lakeside trees gold. Winter visits require proper fell-walking kit and caution on the boggy, potentially icy approach.

Dogs. Dogs are welcome but should be kept on leads near livestock, which graze freely on the surrounding fells, and close to the steep, slippery rocks in the gorge.

Accessibility. The gorge and the approach to Scale Force are not accessible for wheelchairs or pushchairs — the terrain is rough, boggy, and involves a scramble over loose rock. The lakeshore path beside Crummock Water is more accessible, and an accessible path has been created at Lanthwaite Wood.

Families and safety. The lakeshore walk is excellent for families. The final approach to the falls is a different matter — scrambling over loose, wet rock with a sheer drop into the gorge. Keep children close, and be honest about conditions on the day.

Swimming. The plunge pool at the base of the falls is very small and very cold — more of an ice-bath than a swimming spot. Some do dip here in summer, but the cold water, the remote location and the difficult approach mean it should only be attempted by those who know what they are doing.

Where to stay

The natural base for exploring the Buttermere Valley is Keswick, the largest town in this part of the Lake District, around 11 miles away via Honister Pass with the widest range of accommodation, shops, cafés and transport links. The Honister Rambler bus makes it easy to reach Buttermere from Keswick without a car in season.

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What to pack

The boggy, uneven approach to Scale Force and the scramble into the gorge make this one of the few Lake District waterfall walks where kit genuinely matters.

• A pair of waterproof walking boots with solid ankle support — the boggy sections will wet any lesser footwear, and the gorge scramble needs grip.
• A waterproof jacket and warm layers; Lakeland weather is notorious, and the gorge is cold and damp even in summer.
• A set of walking poles for the boggy approach and the loose-rock scramble in and out of the gorge.
• A travel tripod for long-exposure shots in the shaded gorge.

An OS Explorer OL4 map, a power bank, food and water, and a first-aid kit are all worth packing for the longer fell routes.

Nearby attractions and making a day of it

The Buttermere Valley is a compact, self-contained world of three lakes and a ring of fells, and there is more than enough here for a full day.

Attraction	Why Visit	Distance
Buttermere Lake	A classic 4-mile circular walk around the lake, including the famous Hassness tunnel — one of the most popular and rewarding short walks in the Lake District	Adjacent
Crummock Water	The largest of the three Buttermere Valley lakes, quieter than Buttermere itself, with a shingle beach at Lanthwaite Wood and wide fell views	Adjacent
Haystacks	Alfred Wainwright's favourite fell — a rough, satisfying summit at 597m, where his ashes were scattered, with unforgettable views	~2 miles
Honister Slate Mine	The last working slate mine in England, at the top of the dramatic Honister Pass, with underground tours and a visitor centre	~4 miles
Loweswater	A peaceful, smaller lake away from the main crowds, with accessible woodland paths and the serene Holme Force waterfall hidden in the trees	~3 miles

For a classic Buttermere day, walk to Scale Force, continue around the lake circuit via the Hassness tunnel, and climb Haystacks before coming down for tea at Syke Farm. The valley offers views that Wainwright returned to all his life.

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Photography tips

Scale Force rewards patience and preparation. The gorge is dark, the walls are close, and the light is dim — this is a natural studio for moody, atmospheric photography rather than bright-and-breezy Lake District landscapes.

A tripod is essential: the shaded conditions demand a slow shutter speed, and a long exposure will render the falling water as a silky white thread against the dark rock. Visit after rain for the fullest flow and the richest colour on the wet stone. Early morning mist in the gorge is spectacular — and you may have the place entirely to yourself.

For the classic wide shot of the full height, the footbridge below the main fall gives you the best angle; from there, look up to the top of the drop with the mossy walls framing the water above. The lakeshore walk also offers fine reflections on Crummock Water on still mornings.

Conclusion

Scale Force is the most secretive of the Lake District's great waterfalls — harder to reach than Aira Force, far less visited than Stock Ghyll, and utterly unlike anything else in the Lakes. The gorge does something that wider, sunnier waterfalls never quite manage: it makes you feel genuinely remote, genuinely in the wild, even though Buttermere village is only two and a half miles away. Come after rain, give yourself time to stand inside that dark, roaring chasm, and you will understand exactly why Coleridge reached for the image of a madman's hair.

FAQs

How tall is Scale Force?

The total height is normally given as 170 feet (51.8 metres), making it widely regarded as the highest waterfall in the English Lake District. It comprises a principal single drop of around 120 feet and two smaller falls of around 20 feet each. Exact measurements vary slightly between sources, as the falls are hidden in an irregular gorge.

Is there a fee to visit Scale Force?

The falls are free to visit. The National Trust car park in Buttermere village charges for parking (free for National Trust members); check the current rates on site or the National Trust website.

What is the best time to visit Scale Force?

After heavy rain for the most powerful and dramatic cascade. Spring and autumn are lovely for colour and lighter crowds. Summer brings the fullest foliage and the richest green in the gorge.

Are dogs allowed at Scale Force?

Yes, but keep dogs on leads near the livestock on the open fell, and close by in the gorge itself, where the terrain is steep and slippery.

Is Scale Force accessible for wheelchairs?

No. The approach is boggy and uneven, and the gorge requires a scramble over loose, wet rock. The accessible path along Crummock Water at Lanthwaite Wood is a good alternative for those with mobility difficulties.

What are the parking options at Scale Force?

The National Trust car park at Buttermere village (CA13 9XA) is the main option. There is also a car park at Lanthwaite Wood near Crummock Water. Both charge for non-members and fill quickly in summer — arrive early.

Can I swim at Scale Force?

The plunge pool is very small and extremely cold, even in summer — more of an ice-bath than a bathing spot. Wild dippers do visit, but the cold water, the difficult access and the remote location mean it suits only confident, experienced cold-water swimmers.

What should I wear when visiting Scale Force?

Sturdy waterproof boots with ankle support, a waterproof jacket and warm layers. The approach involves boggy ground and the gorge is cold and damp year-round.

How long is the walk to Scale Force?

Around 2.5 miles each way from the Buttermere car park, so roughly five miles return — allow two to three hours, more in wet conditions. The full circular via Buttermere lake is 7.5 miles and takes four to five hours.

What's nearby?

The Buttermere lake circular walk, Crummock Water, Haystacks (Wainwright's favourite fell), Honister Slate Mine, and the peaceful lake of Loweswater are all within easy reach.