Aira Force

Sunday 24th February 

A short waterfall walk near Ullswater 

Distance: 2.5km; Ascent: 110m; Dry & cold; with Lynsey & Isabel

See tracked route in new window

Our planned ascent of Little Mell Fell was abandoned before we had even reached the bottom of the hill due to snow covered roads!  Therefore we instead went for a low level stroll near Ullswater to take a look at Aira Force.  After parking in the National Trust carpark we set off walking at around midday on a good path.  Soon we crossed to the east side of the beck and a few hundred metres later we reached the bridge at the bottom of the falls.

Aira Force

This spot was quite dramatic, with the very impressive waterfall and the spray having frozen on the the surrounding rocks.  After admiring the falls we continued along the path up the east side of the beck (as the steps up to the path on the west side were closed due to a landslide).  We ascended up to the top of the falls to reach another bridge, from where you could look directly down on the main fall.

Aira Force

Above Aira Force we continued following the rocky path on the east side of the beck, with good views down to the beck itself, to reach the bridge at High Force where the beck ran through a narrow gorge.

Aira Beck above Aira Force

After a quick break at High Force we crossed to the west side of the beck and followed the good path back southwards towards the carpark with good views down to Ullswater and the surrounding fells.  We returned to the car at around 1:30pm and after a picnic lunch we headed home after a good weekend in the Lakes; stopping at Tebay services on the way home for tea and cake :-)

Looking south over Ullswater

N.B. 02/06/13 - Post date updated to actual date of walk, i.e. 24/02/13 (from 27/02/13)