Starting point: Swindale Head  (NY 504125)  Distance: 2.17 miles  Ascent: 524'

An exploration of the waterfalls at the head of Swindale.  Wainwright named the waterfalls, The Forces.  The falls in spate are a spectacular sight.  Note:  Parking is restricted in Swindale beyond a pull-off area at NY521142.  I was fortunate that my companion was local and knew the tenant at Swindale Head!  We parked with permission.

Route: From Swindale Head walk up the bridleway to a distinctive right-angled bend in the beck in an area of drumlins.  A faint path leads to a wooden bridge that crosses Swindale Beck just below the first of the falls.  Do not cross the bridge but from here an exploration of the falls may be made by climbing up beside the beck.  There is no path and care should be taken when the river is in spate.  Beyond the highest of the falls walk in a westerly direction across open fell to find the bridleway and descend the fell back to the starting point.

First view of the falls

Swindale Beck lower falls

Looking back to the bridge across Swindale Beck

These falls are impressive

The view looking back

Nabs Crag in cloud

A picture of misery!  Oh wet pet!

The middle section of falls

And another view

Some lovely autumn colours despite the rain
In the valley below can be seen an area of drumlins

Looking towards the upper ravine

My companion for the walk

The spectacular upper falls

Above the falls this fast flowing cataract

On the descent looking across to Swindale Common

The head of Swindale
The delightfully named Hobgrumble Gill is right of centre

Hobgrumble Gill

Swindale Head farm and the and of the walk

 

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Comment from Gary
Great photos Derek - a completely new set of waterfalls to me, I must go and pay them a visit. The conditions you had looked very similar to those we had down in Wales last week, very very wet!!!  Gary, Thanks for the comments derek

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Photographs taken with a Fuji MX-2900 Zoom or a Canon EOS 20D
Copyright © 2009 Derek Cockell     All Rights Reserved