Aira Force Loop

Aira Force Loop

Aira Force Waterfall

Owned and maintained by the National Trust, the powerful waters of Aira Force and the surrounding landscaped grounds provide a delightful playground for young children to explore. There are boards with facts about red squirrels to spot, an arboretum with a variety of ancient trees, as well as wishing trees, where coins can be pushed into tree trunks, supposedly to bring good luck.

Most of the route is not accessible by pushchair, thanks a number of stepped sections of path, so if you are bringing a baby you will need a carrier. Young children will need help with some of the steeper sections. This loop takes you to the base of the waterfall that stands just under 20 metres high, and then back down to the car park. In the summer, steamers stop at the Aira Force pier on Ullswater, making this is great walk for combining with a boat trip.

Quick Facts

Distance: 1 mile

Time: 1 hour

Terrain: Mixture of stepped and level pathways, unsuitable for pushchairs. Steep drops to one side of the path in places.

Suitable For: Older Children, Younger Children with Assistance, Babies and Toddlers in Carriers

Parking: National Trust pay and display car park at Grid Ref NY 400 200, located off the A592 that runs along the shore of Ullswater, adjacent to the junction with the A5091.

Facilities: Toilets, tea room serving light lunches, cakes and hot drinks, and an information kiosk selling snacks and cold drinks, all located within the car park.

The Start of the Walk

The Car Park & Information Kiosk

The Car Park & Information Kiosk

The walk begins at the opposite end of the car park to its entrance, on the right hand side of the information kiosk. National Trust volunteers are usually available here to give advice on the route and points of interest. Follow the path past a number of picnic benches, and go past a turning on the left, continuing until you reach a wall with a gate.

Following the Boundary

The Path Along The Boundary

The Path along the Boundary

Go through the gate and follow the path that leads along the boundary wall and fence. You will come to fork in the path, with a turning off to the left that leads up to the arboretum. Take the right hand fork that follows the boundary fence. At the end of the fence there is another gap to go through on your right hand side.

A Wooden Bridge

The Wooden Bridge

The Wooden Bridge

Go through the gap and down a few steps that lead onto a wooden bridge crossing a steam. This is great place for a game of pooh sticks. Continue over the bridge and go straight up a set of stone steps.

Following the Path

Following the Path

Following the Path

At the top of the steps, continue to follow the path, being aware of the steep drop to one side. Go past a turning on the right that leads up, remaining on the main path instead. Along this path you will see a wishing tree trunk where you can leave a coin for luck, and various information signs about the red squirrels that inhabit the woods.

The Foot of Aira Force

Aira Force Waterfall

Aira Force Waterfall

The path follows the stream and winds through the woodland, before dropping down to a stone bridge. Go over the bridge and there is a viewpoint for the base of the waterfall. Aira Force is just under 20 metres tall.

Up to the Top

The Path at the Top of the Steps

The Path at the Top of the Steps

To the left of the view point there is another set of steep stone steps. Go up these steps (there is another view point half way up) and at the top of the steps you can choose to turn left or right. There are some benches here where you can take a rest. To take a small detour up to the top of the waterfall, turn right. However, if you want go straight back to the car park, turn left.

The Top of Aira Force

Looking Down from the Top of Aira Force

Looking Down from the Top of Aira Force

If you decide to go to the top of the waterfall, keep following the path after turning right. This will lead you to a set of steps down to another stone bridge that goes over the top of the waterfall. There are a number of paths that lead off from the other side of this bridge that will take you on longer walks into the nearby fells. To continue on this route, however, turn around at this point and retrace your steps back to the top of the stone steps that led up from the bottom of the waterfall. Continue straight past the steps to return to the car park.

A View of Ullswater

Looking out toward Ullswater

Looking out toward Ullswater

The path leads to field boundary that offers a glimpse of Ullswater in the distance. A signpost points the way. Turn left here to follow the path down some more steps (signposted for the tea room) to continue.

A Fork in the Path

The Fork in the Path

The Fork in the Path

Keep following the path through the woodland. You will come to a fork in the path. You can take either, as the left path does re-join the right path a little way ahead, but the right path features slightly more even ground and takes in more of the arboretum.

The Arboretum

Trees in the Arboretum

Trees in the Arboretum

Various species of tree can be found along the route at this point, planted by the Howard Family of Greystoke Castle during the eighteen century. They include various pines, spruces, cedars, and a monkey puzzle tree. At the end of the path you will find yourself back at the boundary fence that you left at point three. Turn right here to follow the boundary fence and go back through the gate at the end that takes you back onto the path leading to the car park.