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Looking for an adventure in the Lakes? Then this itinerary will be perfect for you!
The Lake District National Park is home to some of the best waterfalls in England. In this article, I’ll tell you everything you need to know to plan your waterfall road trip around the Lake District.
Please note that you will need at least 2 days to complete the entire trip so you should plan for a weekend.
Of course, there are many more things you can do in the Lake District so you may want to stay longer than 2 days but that’s the time necessary to see the waterfalls on this itinerary.
How to get around the Lake District
As a general thing, you always need a car in the Lake District and this is definitely the case for this road trip.
Since there are a lot of narrow and bendy roads in this area, cars tend to be more practical than motorhomes but it can be done in a motorhome as well.
Where to stay in the Lake District
The most central location on this road trip is the small town of Keswick. It’s located by Derwentwater and is one of the best places to visit in the Lakes.
This will be the ideal base to spend the night. Here are some recommendations of places to stay in Keswick:
- Royal Oak: local pub just outside Keswick – perfect for mid-budget
- YHA Keswick: ideal for budget travellers who want to stay in town
Lake District Waterfalls Road Trip Itinerary
Now that we’ve covered the logistics, it’s time to discover the itinerary and the waterfalls!
For this one, we will assume that you start your trip from Ambleside.
📍Stop 1: Stock Ghyll Force
Start your day in Ambleside. This is a very quaint town and a great place to grab breakfast if you haven’t already.
Please note that while there are several car parks, they can be very busy so it’s best to start early.
The walk to the waterfall starts from the tourist information centre where you can take Stockghyll Lane until you reach the woods.
It takes about 30 minutes to get to the waterfall which means you should plan for a bit over an hour.
Once you’re done, it’s time to head back to your car and drive to Aira Force.
PRO TIP: While the road via Windermere is a bit longer, it’s a much easier road to drive as it avoids the mountain passes. If you are driving a large vehicle, that’s the one you should opt for.
It should take you around 40 minutes to get there.
📍Stop 2: Aira Force
Aira Force is a National Trust site. It’s free to visit but there are car park charges (unless you are a National Trust member, in which case you just need to scan your card).
There are several trails that take you to the waterfall but I highly recommend one of these two:
- Waterfall trail: 1.5km – 45 minutes
- High Force trail: 2.3km – 1hr 15 minutes
If you are visiting on a Saturday or Sunday, you will notice that there are some activities organised by the National Trust. These are particularly good if you are visiting with kids.
Once you are done, it will be time to make your way towards Keswick where you can spend the night.
📍 Stop 3: Moss Force
From Keswick, it will take you about 30 minutes to get to Moss Force. This is one of the lesser known waterfalls in the Lake District but it’s well worth a visit.
You can park your vehicle on the side of the road near the Newlands Pass. This isn’t an official car park but there is enough space for quite a few vehicles.
PRO TIP: While you can probably fit around 15 cars, I’d still recommend getting there fairly early so you’re sure you’ll be able to walk.
From there, it’s an easy 200 metres walk to the cascade. This is one of the easiest waterfall walks and it will take less than 30 minutes altogether.
📍Stop 4: Scale Force
Once you’re done at Moss Force, drive another 10 minutes to Buttermere where you can park your vehicle and start the hike to Scale Force.
This is the most challenging waterfall hike of the road trip but it’s well worth it!
With a single drop of 170 ft, Scale Force is the highest waterfall in the Lake District.
To get there, there is a 7.2-km out-and-back trail that takes about 2 hrs 15 minutes to complete.
It’s a moderate hike so I would say it’s easy but it’s definitely achievable for most.
Once you’re done, you can head back to your car and start driving to your last stop, Stanley Ghyll.
This is a 1hr 15 minutes drive so I’d recommend getting lunch in Buttermere before you go.
📍Stop 5: Stanley Ghyll
Located in the Eskdale Valley, Stanley Ghyll is lesser known than the other waterfalls mentioned here but it’s also well worth a visit.
There are a few trails that you can take but this one is a great option. It’s a 4.5 km hike that takes about 1 hr 20 minutes to complete.
You can park your car at Dalegarth train station and start from there.
Lake District Waterfalls Road Trip Summary
🗓 Duration: 2 Days
🚗 Starting Point: Ambleside
🏡 Recommended Base: Keswick
Day 1
📍 Stop 1: Stock Ghyll Force (Ambleside)
- Car Park: Various car parks in Ambleside (start early to secure a spot).
- Walk: 30 min each way (1-hour round trip).
- Distance: ~1.6 km total.
- Difficulty: Easy.
- Drive to Next Stop: ~40 min via Windermere (easier route).
📍 Stop 2: Aira Force (National Trust Site)
- Car Park: National Trust car park (fees apply unless a member).
- Walk Options:
- Waterfall Trail: 1.5 km, ~45 min.
- High Force Trail: 2.3 km, ~1 hr 15 min.
- Difficulty: Easy to moderate.
- Drive to Keswick: ~20 min (overnight stay).
🏡 Accommodation in Keswick
- Mid-Budget: Royal Oak (local pub just outside Keswick).
- Budget: YHA Keswick (central, affordable).
Day 2
📍 Stop 3: Moss Force (Newlands Pass)
- Car Park: Roadside parking (limited, ~15 spots).
- Walk: 200m, ~15 min round trip.
- Difficulty: Very easy.
- Drive to Next Stop: ~10 min.
📍 Stop 4: Scale Force (Buttermere)
- Car Park: Buttermere village car park.
- Walk: 7.2 km round trip, ~2 hrs 15 min.
- Difficulty: Moderate.
- Drive to Next Stop: ~1 hr 15 min. (recommend lunch in Buttermere first).
📍 Stop 5: Stanley Ghyll (Eskdale Valley)
- Car Park: Dalegarth train station.
- Walk: 4.5 km, ~1 hr 20 min.
- Difficulty: Moderate.
Key Notes
✔️ Total Driving Time: ~3.5 hrs over 2 days.
✔️ Walking Distances: Ranges from 200m (easy) to 7.2 km (moderate).
✔️ Best for: Nature lovers, hikers, and photographers.
✔️ Alternative Routes: Avoid mountain passes if in a large vehicle.
✔️ Other Tips: Pack waterproof gear, sturdy walking shoes, and bring snacks.
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