It wasnt horrendous on our visit, but it was more extensive than the first part of the circuit and had the potential to be pretty nasty in wetter times. Largewatersprovide gorgeous spots foran early morning workout, while tinytarns (ponds formed by glaciers)provide refreshing afternoon dips following long hikes in the high mountains. This pool and rocky gorge with its beautiful waterfall is an excellent place for a wild swim and to enjoy the scenery. Given this is a pool on top of a huge waterfall, you need to be very careful about when you visit, please read all the details, including the safety warning in this guide. After a few minutes youll pass through a kissing gate, which is signposted for Scale Force. There are 4 larger islands on the lake making great targets to head for, as well as numerous smaller islands. The Pools Swimming and Health Centre James Street, Carlisle, CA2 5AH Not one, not two, but three swimming pools are located within The Pools Swimming and Health Centre. 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. Several little beaches are sprinkled around the shore where you can launch for a long swim, lay in the shallows or just soak up the views from the bank. The only hard decision you will have to make, is which one to visit first! Huge craggy mountains surround the water creating a dramatic atmosphere for a refreshing Lake District wild swim. At a massive length of over 10 miles and 1 mile in width it can seem scary to the newer wild swimmers out there, but please do not be disheartened. Walk length: 2.6 miles (4.3km) returnDifficulty: Easy. There are plenty of hand and footholds to get down the steep dirt track, as well as tree roots for stability. The more its rained, the more impressive the waterfall will be. But, with craggy mountains rising all around and icy water framed by wild grasses, its an experience that will literally leave you breathless. Theres a shelving beach for easy access plus plenty of grassy banks to while away a few idyllic hours. 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. Its an easy track that is flat for the majority of the way. The brave can descend down to the pool for a dip in the cool waters. Very easy walks in the Lake District - 7 of the best. It makes for incredibly easy and safe access into the water, just right for young kids. You can read more, including details on a second swimming spot, in this guide. Its the perfect spot for a rejuvenating wake-up swim. Rydal Grot is a magical little spot and one of the easiest to get to on this list. Tucked away in the stunning landscape, you can find some amazing natural swimming holes to explore and enjoy. The upper pool is more for the daredevils among you. 22 Swim-Friendly Waterfalls Across America and Around the World Its a popular location with hikers heading up to the summit of Helvellyn or boat lovers cruising on the Ullswater Steamer. All the details on the walk, as well as another waterfall nearby (not on this list) are in this guide. Lower down from Buckstones Jum, you will find an amazing swim location with a majestic waterfall. Top secret wild swimming holes in the Lake District This high, craggy cliff beneath Hallin Fell plummets into deep water. Surrounded by some of the most breath-taking walks and nature trails, the view from the water is just as good, if not better. In terms of majesty it has to be one of the most incredible waterfalls in England. If the weather has been wet I would recommend heading back the way you came. Accessing the pool is easy as you can just walk straight in, but just watch for slippery stones underfoot. Best Wild Swimming In The Lake District | Anywhere We Roam As the valley is difficult to get to, few people venture to this beautiful destination. The walk to get there is also gorgeous, taking you alongside multiple cascades and through fabulous mossy woodland. If I was randomly dropped at Scale Force and asked where I thought I was, Id say New Zealand (or maybe Iceland). Yet, despite its central location, its often overlooked by the throngs who bypass it on the way from a day exploring the mountains, back to their hotel. All the details on the walk and what its like to swim there are in this guide. Walk length: 0.7 miles (1.2km) returnDifficulty: Easy. Gill Force More Wild Places To Swim Outdoors 15. Whatever your motive, the UK has some stunning spots for wild swimming, from secluded rocky pools to unspoiled hillside lakes. There is little more satisfying than jumping into a pool of cool water on a hot summer's day or if you're brave enough - all year round! The long narrow pool is just wide enough to swim up and down for about 50 meters. Youll be walking on a flat gravel path, past farmland, but with wonderful views out to the fells. With stunning photography this book reveals the best crystal mountain lakes, secluded lake-side beaches, and turquoise pools hidden deep in waterfall- One-hour driver. 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. Around one hours walk away from Eskdale, you will find this beauty. All Rights Reserved. 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. In this explorer's compendium, you will discover the most exciting and lesser-known places to visit in the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales, with magical places to stay and where to find the very It sits underneath an old stone bridge and flows into a fern covered rocky chasm. A pebble beach shelves down on one side of the pool into the crystal clear water and an oak tree overhangs. Wild Swimming The Lake District, Cumbria is one of the best places in the world for wild swimming. Next time you're in the Lake District, why not take a vitalising dip in one of these beautiful wild swimming spots. Add to Wishlist. An unforgettable wild swim. 3-5 business days . Walk length: 1 mile (1.6km) for the lower loop and walk to the top of the waterfall Difficulty: Easy. Located in the shadows of Langdale Pikes, Loughrigg Tarn is another natural swimming hole that is too good to resist. I say brave because the water is ice cold even in summer. For longer swims in summer or any swims in winter wear a wetsuit and make sure you have warm clothes to change back into when you are finished. At 61m deep it is the deepest tarn in the Lakes and is as deep as most of our larger lakes; all this in a tarn barely 400m across. The Best Wild Swimming Waterfall in The Lake District- Revealed The weather in the Lake District can change very quickly and it is always beneficial to be aware of any upcoming storms or fluctuations. This is not as well known as some of our other pools and waterfalls which makes it such a special and tranquil place to be, deep in the middle of the forest. Walk length: 1.7 mile (2.7km) loopDifficulty: Easy. Park at one of the many Glenridding car parks or beside the road. Find nearby walking routes below. Huge craggy mountains surround the water creating a dramatic atmosphere for a refreshing Lake District wild swim. 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 UK's secret wild swimming spots you didn't know existed Wild Swimming simply means swimming in natural bodies of water such as lakes and rivers. Wild Swimming Spain: Discover the Most Beautiful Rivers, Lakes and Waterfalls of Spain Discover over 150 magical places to swim and explore in Spain. Information can be found on the Lake District website specifically for swimmers and users of the lakes. Why not combine it with one of these ideas for screen free holidays? As one of the smallest lakes in the Lake District, Rydal Water is a peaceful and serene place to go for a wild swim. Looking up at the falls and the surrounding mossy cliff walls was just mesmerising. One of which is yet another dramatic Lake District infinity pool. Holme Fell lake - Image: Daniel Start//WildSwimming.com. Breathtaking Waterfalls in the Lake District - Hot Tub Hideaways Park at the bottom of Hardknott Pass near Brotherinkeld Farm then walk up the Eskdale Valley. Its a beautiful place simply to sit and relax by the water. Buttermere is a 30 minute drive from Keswick, 30 minutes from Cockermouth and 1 hour from Ambleside. 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. You can also swim in the deep pools beneath Dalegarth Bridge on the way up to the parking area some jump from the bridge, and there are rope swings too. If you appreciate our content, here are some ways you can support us. Its truly wild. However, early morning and sunset are personal favourites especially setting out from places like Ashness Jetty. Park at the car park at the top of the Foulstep Road just above Skelwith Bridge, then walk for 5 minutes down to the tarn. Best wild swimming in the Lake District near a great local pub. If you look ahead youll see two wooden bridges: one close to the lake and one off to the left. The famous poet's favourite Lake District viewpoint is at this very lake, aptly named 'Wordsworth's Seat'. Be aware that boats do use the lake as well so always swim with care. It will help to keep your body temperature up and to help you with buoyancy. 4 Be aware of the cold, hypothermia can come to you quickly. Black Moss Pot can get a little busy in the summer holidays and on weekends. 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. Go to Basket/Checkout | Sign In | +44 (0)1455 611185 You can read more in our Whorneyside Force guide. On each side sheer rock walls rise up, making the place famous for jumps. Walk length: 2 miles (3.2km) returnDifficulty: Moderate. The Sava Bohinjka River provides a chilly thrill for flow-swimming fans. Wild Swimming Walks Lake District: 28 Lake, River & Waterfall Days Out 216. by Pete Kelly . Hardknott Pass, Lake District National Park, Cumbria, UK. With rivers forming picturesque canyons,delightful babbling brooks and natural lagoon plunge pools,theres a wild swim in the Lake District for all tastes. Walk length: 0.75 miles (1.2km) circuit - plus 750m each way if walking from the villageDifficulty: Easy. Sign up to our mailing list to get our free mini guide! But there is usually plenty of coming and going to find a spot. The pool has a beautiful peridot colour water, which was very striking in the late afternoon sunshine. However, the infinity pool is the lowest pool, if you venture a little higher up the cliff side then youll find a series of other swimming holes. 7 must visit tarns in the Lake District. If you are less confident or experienced, practice in some of the other lakes or pools on our list. 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. Dont swim if water has become discoloured, as this can indicate flooding and can present dangerous currents. All rights reserved, Best spots for an invigorating wild swim in the Lake District, favourite things to do in the Lake District, Great things to do in the Yorkshire Dales. High up in the mountains, the still water perfectly reflecting the impressive Langdale Pikes is one of the best views in the Lake District. The perfect place for a plunge in natures Jacuzzi. 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. It must be one of the best wild swimming walks in the world. The Best Wild Swimming Spots in The Lakes ONE LAKE DISTRICT The waterfall can be accessed via an easy walking trail, or you can make a circuit, which has a small amount of climbing and some muddy patches. Follow the track upstream for mile. The Blog Walk My World A stunning waterfall flows down into a long pool making it an idyllic place to spend your time. You can then rock hop or walk through the water to the base of the falls. Reaching the bottom of the falls is easy, and the walk is mainly flat and along a good path - almost to the pool itself. Some car parks may charge and always check the specific lake before you swim. 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. In the sunshine, it would rival the prettiest turquoise water weve seen anywhere in the world. Wild swimming: the UK's best outdoor swim spots - The Week UK Expect the water to be cold and go in bit by bit if youre not used to cold water swimming. Its a scenic remote spot and one of our favourite wild swimming locations in the Lake District. Cordee - Wild Swimming Walks Lake District 28 lake, river and waterfall Tongue Pot 13. 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. Best wild swimming in Italy | Lakes and rivers to swim in - CN Traveller Wastwater One of the most dramatic of all wild swimming spots, the impossibly photogenic Wastwater is England's deepest lake. Wild Swimming - Visit Lake District Discover a whispering waterfall, beyond an ancient stone bridge, tumbling amongst ferny rocks. Rydal Water is next to the road and is not as remote as some of the other wild swimming spots in the Lake District. The water is cold and fresh and there's even places where it's deep enough to jump in, sit in a natural . The brave can descend down to the pool for a dip in the cool waters. Tongue Pot is a deep pool with high walls perfect for leaping into for a more expansive swim. Prefer an infinity pool perched on top of a huge cliffside waterfall? They do a mean pint and have an environmentally friendly menu that explains the carbon footprint for each dish. After crossing the bridge the track continues along a bracken lined path and youll arrive at a gate 150m later. Combine the swim with one of the best walks in the Lake District and youre in for a treat. This post may contain affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, that we will earn a small commission if you click through and decide to make a purchase. Its one of our favourite pubs in the Lake District and a great way to end a day of wild swimming. Wild swimming Peak District: The 6 best spots - Red Bull The only downside to this spectacular spot is that its not the easiest to reach. Discover the elegant splendour of Stanley Gill Force, one of Lakelands most graceful falls, once revered by Victorian traveller but now well off the beaten track. After Rosthwaite, turn L at crossroads with post box in wall signed Langstrath Country Inn (carry on along lane beyond CA12 5XG) and follow lane to Stonethwaite. This takes around 15 mins. Wild Guide Lake District and Yorkshire Dales Paperback Guide Book You could easily spend a day here swimming at various spots and enjoying the amazing countryside. If you only want to see the lower falls (not the best view) then the walk doesnt involve any scrambling. Tell them where you are going to swim and the time you are going to start. The pot is a 45-minute stroll up the valley from the village of Stonethwaite, which also provides one of the best views in the area without any climbing. Look at the websites for the Lake District and for Cumbria, for any information and guidelines before you set out. Buy your copy today and get over 30% off with free P&P go to Wild Things Publishing and use discount coupon 'OS' at checkout. Home > Places > Wild Swim > Waterfall or Gorge. Always research the lake or river that you are looking at wild swimming in. Entry is easy, via gently shelving ledges. We should know, we grew up there. Thanks for your support. [3] Best wild swimming in the Lake District for wading amongst high, picturesque views. Best wild swimming in the Lake District for putting some laps under your belt in a scenic lake. UK's best waterfalls for wild swimming