Lonely Planet EnglandLonely Planet
Guidebook
Lonely Planet England
Lonely Planet · 2025
Current Lonely Planet England covering Teesdale and Ullswater, the settings of High Force and Aira Force.
United Kingdom · Muker
Catrake Force
Catrake Force is a waterfall on the River Swale in North Yorkshire, England. It is not visible from the road but is accessible via a campsite in Keld.
Essentials guide
Facts from Wikidata and Wikipedia, compiled September 2026; season and access are our estimate, not a visit report. How we build these pages.
Catrake Force drops 6 metres (20 ft). It is a plunge-type fall, and the nearest base for a visit is Muker, United Kingdom. Access to the main viewpoint is rated moderate.
Summary adapted from the Wikipedia article (CC BY-SA 4.0).
As a plunge waterfall, water leaves the rock entirely and falls free through the air.
What you can do here
A walk-in-and-look waterfall
No commercial adventures run at Catrake Force itself — the experience is the approach and the view. Guided day trips from Muker are the easiest way to combine it with the area around it.
Also good forCampingHikingPhotography
When to go
Spring snowmelt and rain make April to June the fullest months; October adds colour, and a hard winter can freeze the face.
Getting there
- Base town Muker, United Kingdom
- Country United Kingdom
- Region Muker, British Isles, Europe
- Access Moderate — a real walk — expect stairs, uneven ground or an hour on the trail
How it compares
This waterfall
Catrake Force
United Kingdom
Height6 mWidth—
Most similar
Keila Falls
Estonia
Height6 mWidth—
Of similar height and in Estonia
Largest curtain
Victoria Falls
Zimbabwe · Zambia
Height108 mWidth1,708 m
Largest single sheet of falling water
Tallest on earth
Angel Falls
Venezuela
Height979 mWidth—
Widest on earth
Khone Phapheng Falls
Laos
Height21 mWidth10,783 m
Measured across the whole multi-channel system
Most similar
Keila Falls
Estonia
Height6 mWidth—
Of similar height and in Estonia
Largest curtain
Victoria Falls
Zimbabwe · Zambia
Height108 mWidth1,708 m
Largest single sheet of falling water
Tallest on earth
Angel Falls
Venezuela
Height979 mWidth—
Widest on earth
Khone Phapheng Falls
Laos
Height21 mWidth10,783 m
Measured across the whole multi-channel system
6 m
6 m
108 m
330 m
979 m
Catrake ForceKeila FallsVictoria FallsEiffel TowerAngel Falls
Khone Phapheng Falls
10,783 m
Victoria Falls
1,708 m
Angel Falls is 163× taller than Catrake Force. Victoria Falls is 18× taller. We don't have a reliable crest width for Catrake Force yet, so it is left off the width chart. Tallest · widest lists.
Watch and read
Books worth packing
Lonely Planet ScotlandLonely Planet
Guidebook
Lonely Planet Scotland
Lonely Planet · 2025
Current Lonely Planet Scotland covering Glen Nevis, Kintail and the Moffat area.
The Rough Guide to ScotlandRough Guides
Guidebook
The Rough Guide to Scotland
Rough Guides · 2025
Current Rough Guide with Highland and Borders detail for Steall, Glomach and Grey Mare's Tail trips.
Lonely Planet WalesLonely Planet
Guidebook
Lonely Planet Wales
Lonely Planet · 2025
Current Lonely Planet Wales covering the Brecon Beacons (Bannau Brycheiniog) and its waterfall country.
On the map
54.40111, -2.16667
Quick answers
Where is Catrake Force?
Catrake Force is in United Kingdom (Muker). The nearest base is Muker, United Kingdom. Its coordinates are 54.4011, -2.1667.
How tall is Catrake Force?
Catrake Force drops 6 metres (20 feet). It is a plunge-type waterfall.
When is the best time to visit Catrake Force?
Peak flow is April to June and October. Spring snowmelt and rain make April to June the fullest months; October adds colour, and a hard winter can freeze the face.
What can you do at Catrake Force?
Beyond the viewpoints: camping, hiking and photography. Access to the main viewpoint is rated moderate — a real walk — expect stairs, uneven ground or an hour on the trail.
How do you get to Catrake Force?
The usual base is Muker, United Kingdom. A real walk — expect stairs, uneven ground or an hour on the trail from there.
Nearby
Closest to Catrake Force
Kisdon Force
United Kingdom · 500 m · 1 km away
Kisdon Force is a series of waterfalls on the River Swale in Swaledale, England. The falls are situated…
Hardraw Force
United Kingdom · 91 m · 9 km away
Hardraw Force is a waterfall on Hardraw Beck in Hardraw Scar, a wooded ravine just outside the hamlet of…
Swimming
Aysgarth Falls
United Kingdom · 17 km away
Aysgarth Falls are a triple flight of waterfalls, surrounded by woodland and farmland, carved out by the…
Cautley Spout
United Kingdom · 198 m · 20 km away
Cautley Spout is England's highest waterfall above ground. . The broken cascade of falls tumbles a total of…