Best wild swimming in the Lake District for plunging into a lagoon pool from rocky ledges. Come with cobwebs and leave with clarity. If you are planning to swim in the colder months such as spring or autumn, or even in the summer months, then a wetsuit is an advisable purchase. 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. 15. St Patricks boatyard rents kayaks and canoes, so you can take to the water for your own mini-adventure. The walk to get there is on a well formed track, although its cobbled in parts in typical Lake District fashion. Swimming from the boats is allowed, providing you can pull yourself back in! 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. Its really picturesque, especially if you luck out with nice conditions. There are two pools here, and the lower ones are often overlooked. Park at Coniston Hall (LA21 8AS) and walk south, or disembark at Hoathwaite Landing and walk north (or walk from Torver, LA21 8AX). Best wild swimming in the Lake District for exploring this most beautiful and remote valley. For the more experienced there are different routes you can try as well as some brilliant guided swim tours that cover the full length of this great lake. Click on the top right corner of the map to open a larger version in a new tab or the star to save to your Google Maps. 2 Never jump in unless your heart and body have already become acclimatised, you know whats below the surface and have a plan on how to get out again. After buying a one way ticket to Istanbul we spent a year making our way through Asia before arriving in Australia, where we have been living ever since. Its deep enough to dive in from the old dam wall, and small enough that it warms up nicely in the sunshine. All Rights Reserved. 6 If you are swimming on a river or lake with lots of boats, wear a colourful hat or take a visibility float. Wild Swimming Walks Lake District (Wild Things Publishing, 14.99) is available from Swim the Lakes in Ambleside and online at swimthelakes.co.uk, as well from other local stockists including . 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. 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. However, reaching the most spectacular part of the falls, the upper falls, does require a scramble - which is probably why even in the busy summer holidays we got the entire thing to ourselves. 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. The Eskdale Valley is known for its pools and waterfalls and Tongue Pot is possibly the best of them all. Swim upstream first because you dont want to leave the more tiring work till the end. Its unclear whether it will reopen, but even if it doesnt, a trip to the upper falls is still very much worthwhile. There are 4 larger islands on the lake making great targets to head for, as well as numerous smaller islands. 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. Situated only a stones throw from the picturesque town of Keswick, Derwentwater is a lake you can swim in the wild any time during the day and get spectacular views while enjoying the water. From here you retrace your steps for 1.4 miles (2.2km) along the flat path to the car park. Great for jumps and snorkelling. 12.99 . ( in my opinion). Another reason for its popularity is that it can be reached via such an easy well maintained trail. Youll have to walk up a bit more slanted rock before crossing the water and walking up some boulders. Youll see another wooden bridge just ahead of you, after crossing, youll take a left. Sunbathe, swim, plunge and enjoy your surroundings up at Galleny Force. The Lake District is an excellent destination for open water swimming. 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. For finding the best locations to explore, a guide such as Suzanna Swims in the north-west Lakes or Colin Hill at Ullswater can offer invaluable advice and brilliant guidance. The waterfall flows into a crystal clear pool and swimming here feels very special. Ullswater at Glenridding isnt exactly the wild swimming location in the Lake District for getting away from the crowds, but on most days, you can find a decent spot to call your own. If I was randomly dropped at Scale Force and asked where I thought I was, Id say New Zealand (or maybe Iceland). Looking up to Great Gable mountain at the head of the lake, or across at the spine of rocky scree as you swim, is a great way to while away an afternoon. With swims and areas to suit the newest wild swimmer in open water, through to the hardened veteran, we have looked at the 17 best swimming spots in the Lake District to visit to save you the hard work. Wastwater One of the most dramatic of all wild swimming spots, the impossibly photogenic Wastwater is England's deepest lake. Not suitable for jumping. The water is clear, peaty and cold, flowing straight off the hills. The water during the summer months is usually warmer than you would expect. This is an avid favourite among wild swimmers and you are sure to meet others here who are enjoying the water. This is one of those rare waterfalls where it actually benefits to visit when there are lower water levels. Dash Falls. Wild Things - Wild Swimming Walks - Lake DistrictThe best-selling Wild Swimming Walks series visits the delights of The Lake District with 28 lake, river and waterfall days out.Combining stunning photography, engaging stories and natural history, with all The water flows through a narrow mossy chasm which creates a bubbling mass of white water, its mesmerising to watch. Wild Swims Lake District - guided swimming and walking by a qualified Open Water Swim Coach and Mountain Leader, for one-to-one and small group adventures in lakes, tarns and fells.. Reaching the bottom of the falls is easy, and the walk is mainly flat and along a good path - almost to the pool itself. The brave can descend down to the pool for a dip in the cool waters. Its so dramatic and feels like youve entered a secret world - you just cant believe that metres away lies an open landscape of lakes and fells. There is no shortage of choice when looking at swimming spots in the wild in the Lake District. Sitting under the shadow of Crinkle Crags, in one of the Lake Districts most spectacular valleys, youll find a secluded waterfall. 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. Read Next Conquering ridges on Blencathra. It doesnt get much more remote than this. Park at the Blea Tarn car park between Little and Great Langdale Valleys. Ritson's Force is one of those magical places that makes you instantly grateful to be alive! It gets its name from a stone pack horse bridge that traverses the stream which you can swim underneath. The waterfall is easily accessible by trail and road. Discover the best wild swim locations in the Lake District and Cumbria - river swims, lakes and waterfalls galore. Situated only a stones throw from the picturesque town of Keswick, Derwentwater is a lake you can swim in the wild any time during the day and get spectacular views while enjoying the water. Although lakes and rivers can look calm and beautiful on the surface there can be underlying dangers. Its also the warmest swimming spot Ive been to in the Lakes so far! Almost all the rocks are wet up in the gorge so you need to tread carefully. The tarn is a 5-minute walk from the car park. This is a super fun and magnificent stretch of water. While on a cold day the setting might look a little forbidding, find a warm sunny afternoon and you're in for a treat. The reward for your efforts is staring up at one of the most magnificent waterfalls in the Lake District and probably the whole of the UK! The lower portion is perfect for swimming and relaxing for all the family, either in the water or around the shoreline. You wouldnt want to do this after heavy rainfall (or during rain). Stanley Ghyll Waterfall is one of the most atmospheric in the Lake District. There are some uphill sections, but also plenty of flat track. Whatever your motive, the UK has some stunning spots for wild swimming, from secluded rocky pools to unspoiled hillside lakes. The picturesque double drop waterfall is set in pretty woodland, and flows through a striking ravine. Its undeniably glorious and the view is one to remember. 1. The lovely thing about this part of the walk is you are now following the shore of Crummock Water. The crossing is approximately 2km, though shorter swims along the shoreline are possible. Its the perfect spot for a rejuvenating wake-up swim. You can read more about the falls, as well as several other stunning waterfalls along the same track (which we havent listed in this article) here. Walk length: 100m each way (via the quickest route)Difficulty: Easy. For more information about swimming responsibly in the Lake District, catch up on the rules at the Outdoor Swimming Society. Walk length: 0.75 miles (1.2km) circuit - plus 750m each way if walking from the villageDifficulty: Easy. If you appreciate our content, here are some ways you can support us. Make the Moat House Your Wild Swimming Base Although reaching the top of the falls is easy and on a well maintained track, getting to the base does involve a short scramble. Youll reach it after a couple of hundred metres. Kail and Pillar pots are beautiful pools to sit and be massaged by the relaxing flow of the water. Swimmers transferring invasive, non-native weeds to some of the Lake Districts most pristine lakes is becoming a problem. I say brave because the water is ice cold even in summer. This makes Eskdale a therapeutic isolated place for wild swimming in the Lake District. You can access your free e-book by clicking on this link. The walk to Scale Force is largely flat, but there is a climb towards the end. In this video I find the most beautiful wild swimming spot, visit 2 waterfalls, summit 5 mountains and find the most stunning wild camp location. There are always rocks to use as stepping stones and on our visit all but one was tiny and not really worth mentioning - however I know we were walking during an unusually dry spell. We've rounded up the area's most beautiful villages, towns and hamlets ahead of your next northern getaway. Don't forget your towel! Black Moss Pot 16. The trail to the falls follows yet another bracken lined path, but this time it is really overgrown. Head for the left one, the trail is indistinct, but you can see what youre heading for. Its a fabulous canyonesque waterfall that I never see anyone talk about which is pretty mind boggling. The water is cold and fresh and there's even places where it's deep enough to jump in, sit in a natural . The perfect place for a plunge in natures Jacuzzi. Although you cant see a waterfall, this is where Scale Force is located, and the place you want to head towards. With a shimmering chute falling 20m into a deep plunge pool, it's hidden in a mossy and verdant tropical-looking ravine reached by crossing several wooden bridges and some final scrambling along a slightly tricky path. At the southern end of Ullswater, in the town of Glenridding, gently sloping beaches descend into a beautiful part of the lake. Save 13% from RPP Save 13%. Please remember to take all rubbish with you and keep these places wild and pristine - as with anywhere in the outdoors. You can reach Whorneyside Force via a strenuous circuit hike taking in the fabulous Crinkle Crags, or using a direct route, which is a pretty easy walk. Are you allowed to swim in Lakes?The easy answer is yes. This is Waterfall Woods in the Brecon Beacons, a place where you'll find some of the most striking and awe-inspiring waterfall plunge pools. But we do it. West Beach, Berneray, Isles of Harris. And you can boast that you've swum in England's deepest lake! Best wild swimming in the Lake District for wading amongst high, picturesque views. Swimming in Lake District resources: These are what we used in deciding where and how to swim: Lake district national park swimming page: http://www.lakedistrict.gov.uk/visiting/thingstodo/water/swimming Explains what waters/lake you can and cannot swim in and additionally, which one have less boat traffic etc. Best wild swimming in the Lake District for young kids and families. Located in the peaceful western side of The Lake District, Cumbria, the Stanley Ghyll Force waterfall plummets 60 feet into a secluded gorge. But, its much more fun to jump off the perfectly formed ledge about 5 metres above the water. Best for Waterfalls: Cascata Plera, Tolmezzo, Friuli-Venezia Giulia A waterfall drops into a true blue pool over the this funnel of rock. You need to walk to the left of the lower falls and youll see a rocky slab. Just make sure if you do jump, you jump with care. Park at one of the many Glenridding car parks or beside the road. Park in the village of Stonethwaite and walk along the river for 45 minutes past the Langstrath Country Inn. How Many Lake District Lakes and Mountains. 4 Be aware of the cold, hypothermia can come to you quickly. Its more like an ice bucket challenge! The Half-Day Package can be made a completely bespoke and private experience for an additional cost. Thanks for your support! Exposure Kamm/D-Shaped Seatpost Silicone Insert and Band for Boost R 5.00 There are two separate pools, one higher than the other. To help you find these 6 hidden gems, simply click the links below for each one, and use OS Maps to find a direct route to the spot. Paperback . Walk length: 2 miles (3.2km) returnDifficulty: Moderate. Sign up to our mailing list to get our free mini guide! It's also one of the smallest lakes in the National Park, and is popular because of its Wordsworth connections. All the details are in our Stock Ghyll Force guide. Pass through it and youll see some steps down to a wooden bridge just ahead of you. In terms of the walk, its very easy and barely has any uphill whatsoever. If youre used to off track hiking and happy to scramble, read this guide for directions. Grasmere. It is easy to access, with numerous parking spots along the side so you can step out of your car and into the lovely welcoming waters. What a beautiful walk in the Langdale valley, whatever the weather the views are breathtaking. This will help to maintain the pristine conditions of the English Lakes. The path around the bridge is also boggy. A packed lunch can be purchased from the hotel for 14.95 and will be ready for you if it is ordered at least 24 hours before your activity. As well, Lubny is a major producer of meat and milk products, furniture and bread.Over 40 types of ice cream are made in the milk factor, and the Lubny bread is known across Ukraine. However, early morning and sunset are personal favourites especially setting out from places like Ashness Jetty. Were slowly making our way around all the waterfalls in the Lake District, but I dont think well find any quite as captivating as Scale Force. Grasmere is situated in the heart of the Lake District National Park. All we ask is that you swim safely. The currents under the surface can be significantly stronger than above and can catch you unawares. Dont be fooled by these initial excellent trail conditions, it deteriorates quickly! On a long sweep of the majestic River Derwent, this swim is all about Chatsworth House . If you are an experienced swimmer then sink in and enjoy the resounding vista of the lake and its surroundings. Warning: There is a swimming section of this body of water known as the "nudists pool," as it is traditional to swim naked in the clear water that is naturally dammed above the falls. Park alongside the road just before the farm at Seathwaite, then walk for 1 hour and 45 minutes uphill. For more information about visiting the area, read our guide to the Langdale Valley. Having said that, we didnt have any boot sucking moments, it was more wet than actually muddy for the most part. Up in this beautiful place you may feel like you are the only person in the entire National Park. There is limited free parking around the village of Buttermere, but it fills up very quickly on weekends and school holidays. Please remember to take all rubbish with you and keep these places wild and pristine - as with anywhere in the outdoors. Mountain Goat Full Day Tour: Ten Lakes Tour of the Lake District (From 51.26) Ultimate Full-Day Lake District Tour: 10 Lakes, Amazing Scenery & Lake Cruise (From 125.64) 10 Lakes Winter Scenic Tour - Expert Guide - Photo Stops - Magnificent Locations (From 109.55) 8 Lakes and Magnificent Scenery - Afternoon Half Day Tour (From 55.28) Sign up to receive the very best of OS and its group of companies, straight to you by email. # # 2 3 2 # # # # # 0909897810 . The only difficult part of the track is negotiating the bog. Combining stunning photography, engaging stories and history, the book is packed with all the practical information you need, including detailed directions, route maps and . The southern end of the lake is the best place to swim and is only around a mile from the nearest car park. In terms of majesty it has to be one of the most incredible waterfalls in England. After making your way up to Scafell Pike via the corridor route, return via Esk Hause and make a small detour to Sprinkling Tarn. The atmosphere is other worldly. If you are planning to camp, continue on rough track for further 600m to park at Stonethwaite riverside campsite (0176 87 77234). From great lakes like Windermere, through to small hidden gems such as Tongue Pot, there is a swim out there to suit you all. Thank you for subscribing! However, travel down the road to Triglav National Park 's Lake Bohinj and discover wilder scenery for free. We have you covered. With all the beauty of the lakes and wild natural swimming holes, there is something special about swimming in the wild near to, or even under a waterfall. Obviously both swimming and spending time in nature both have proven health benefits, and proponents of wild swimming say it has unique mental health benefits as well.No major research into the topic has been undertaken, but the British Medical Journal (opens in new tab) published a study in 2018 suggesting it may be effective for . There are shallow spots on this list suitable for anyone, but others are very deep. If you are swimming alone ensure that someone knows of your plans before setting out. 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! We couldnt believe it either, and yet even when we visited and the waterfall was in shadow, the water was still undeniably turquoise and absolutely exquisite. Heres everything you need to know about visiting Scale Force. 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. Especially if they are owned by the National Trust. But, with craggy mountains rising all around and icy water framed by wild grasses, its an experience that will literally leave you breathless. The car park has toilets which come with a 50p fee. With misty lakes, meandering rivers and hidden tarns, there are hundreds of places to wild swim in the Lake District. Wood behind, beach alongside; its a great spot. 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. Although were sharing a few of the Lakes most famous falls, this list is biased towards our passion when it comes to waterfalls, and thats those you can swim under. Spend your summer spent swimming in mountain waterfalls, exploring lost ruins and caverns, and camping in ancient forests. Tongue Pot 13. But the shelving beach is on the far side (20 minute walk away from the car park), so it retains a slightly off-the-beaten-track feel. Follow the track upstream for mile. Thank you for subscribing!