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 · South Lanarkshire
Falls of Clyde
The Falls of Clyde are a series of linns or waterfalls on the River Clyde, near Lanark, Scotland. They are renowned for their beauty and have frequently been painted by artists.
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.
Falls of Clyde drops 26 metres (85 ft). It is a cascade-type fall, and the nearest base for a visit is Lanark, United Kingdom. Access to the main viewpoint is rated moderate.
Summary adapted from the Wikipedia article (CC BY-SA 4.0).
As a cascade waterfall, water tumbles down a series of rock steps rather than falling free.
What you can do here
A walk-in-and-look waterfall
No commercial adventures run at Falls of Clyde itself — the experience is the approach and the view. Guided day trips from Lanark are the easiest way to combine it with the area around it.
Also good forHikingPhotography
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 Lanark, United Kingdom
- Country United Kingdom
- Region South Lanarkshire, British Isles, Europe
- Access Moderate — a real walk — expect stairs, uneven ground or an hour on the trail
How it compares
This waterfall
Falls of Clyde
United Kingdom
Height26 mWidth—
Most similar
Boyana Waterfall
Bulgaria
Height25 mWidth—
Also a cascade waterfall, of similar height and in Bulgaria
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
Boyana Waterfall
Bulgaria
Height25 mWidth—
Also a cascade waterfall, of similar height and in Bulgaria
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
25 m
26 m
108 m
330 m
979 m
Boyana WaterfallFalls of ClydeVictoria FallsEiffel TowerAngel Falls
Khone Phapheng Falls
10,783 m
Victoria Falls
1,708 m
Angel Falls is 38× taller than Falls of Clyde. Victoria Falls is 4.2× taller. We don't have a reliable crest width for Falls of Clyde 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
55.65468, -3.77149
Quick answers
Where is Falls of Clyde?
Falls of Clyde is in United Kingdom (South Lanarkshire). The nearest base is Lanark, United Kingdom. Its coordinates are 55.6547, -3.7715.
How tall is Falls of Clyde?
Falls of Clyde drops 26 metres (85 feet). It is a cascade-type waterfall.
When is the best time to visit Falls of Clyde?
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 Falls of Clyde?
Beyond the viewpoints: 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 Falls of Clyde?
The usual base is Lanark, United Kingdom. A real walk — expect stairs, uneven ground or an hour on the trail from there.
Nearby
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