Gill Force and Stanley Ghyll Waterfall Loop | 3 Miles
Sometimes a low level Lake District walk is just what you need, especially on a rainy day, and this Gill Force and Stanley Ghyll waterfall loop is perfect! This walk starts from the Dalegarth Station in Eskdale and explores the beautiful waterfalls of Stanley Ghyll.
Stanley Ghyll Waterfall
Stanley Ghyll is a magical hidden spot in Eskdale. The waterfall drops roughly 60 feet into a narrow ravine, surrounded by steep, fern-lined walls that feel almost secretive and like something from another world (or Jurassic Park!). The walk in is lovely too – you start near Dalegarth Station, follow a quiet lane for about 1.5 miles, then slip into the woods and up a series of steps to reach the gorge. The area is also designated as an SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) because of its rich mosses, liverworts and ferns that thrive in the sheltered, humid gorge.
Over recent years, parts of the lower path have been deemed unsafe due to rockfalls, so access to the base is restricted in places. But don’t let that stop you visiting the waterfall – there’s a cantilevered viewing platform now, built in Victorian style, which lets you peer into the gorge safely and see the falls from above.
What is Gill Force?
You might see “Gill Force” used interchangeably with Stanley Ghyll. “Gill” (or “Ghyll”) is an old word in Northern England for a narrow ravine or rocky stream valley. So Gill Force basically means “waterfall in a gill” – a waterfall in a steep, narrow gorge. Gill Force in Eskdale is known as a pretty wild swimming spot tucked into woodland, with crystal-clear water which has a bit of an emerald tint when sunlight filters through (but not when you visit after a period of heavy rain, because it’ll be flowing too fast!).
As mentioned above, our walk started from Dalegarth Station. We walked on the road a short distance until we reached the Brook House Inn and then, directly opposite this, is the start of the quiet lane. We followed this lane past a collection of cottages and then turned off along the path, signed Old Railway. This track leads into the woods to Gill Force. Some people wild swim here but when we visited it was flowing way too fast and strong!
We crossed the wooden bridge and headed up the river bank to join a footpath (spotting my first ever wild red squirrel in the process!). The path crosses Stanley Ghyll Beck and over another wooden bridge, and we turned left to follow the wall up towards Stanley Ghyll.
There is a sign advising that the path to the lower falls is closed due to a rock fall. You can still walk up through the gorge though to the viewing platform.
The gorge itself is beautiful! It’s packed with mosses and ferns and has a really other-worldly feel to it. The path climbs steadily, crossing the beck via one wooden bridge before recrossing after a short distance via another wooden bridge. There are some stone steps which lead up the hillside, and the route then crosses the stream again at the top before climbing up to the viewing platform.
From here we headed south-east to the top of the Ghyll (totally optional and I only did it for a photo over the top of the waterfall!) before we set off west to pick up a stony track which runs all the way back to the road. A quick right turn and we were soon back at the Dalegarth Station car park.
Stanley Ghyll Waterfall Walk Details
Walk Map (Opens in OS Maps): Gill Force and Stanley Ghyll Walk
Parking: We parked in a the car park for Dalegarth Station, Boot, Holmrook, Cumbria, CA19 1TG. It’s pay and display. What 3 Words is W3W:///burns.friend.browsers.
Facilities: There is a cafe and toilets at Dalegarth Station for customers.
Walk Time: 2-3 hours
Difficulty: ▲▲
Distance: 3.31 miles (5.33km)
For more walks in Eskdale you might like: Harter Fell and Hard Knott | 6 Miles
For more Lake District waterfall walks you might like: Holme Fell, Black Fell and Tarn Hows Waterfalls | 7 Miles
For more walks to do on a rainy day in the Lake District you might like:
Rydal Cave Walk, Ambleside | 2 Miles
Cathedral Cave and Hodge Close Quarry | 4 Miles
You might also like: Lake District Weekend Break – Eskdale
