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 · High Abbotside
Hardraw Force
Hardraw Force is a waterfall on Hardraw Beck in Hardraw Scar, a wooded ravine just outside the hamlet of Hardraw, 0.9 miles north of the town of Hawes, Wensleydale, in the Yorkshire Dales. The Pennine Way long distance footpath passes close by.
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.
Hardraw Force drops 91 metres (299 ft) on the Hardraw Beck. It is a plunge-type fall, and the nearest base for a visit is High Abbotside, United Kingdom. Access to the main viewpoint is rated easy.
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
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 High Abbotside, United Kingdom
- Country United Kingdom
- Region High Abbotside, British Isles, Europe
- Access Easy — a short walk or roadside viewpoint
How it compares
This waterfall
Hardraw Force
United Kingdom
Height91 mWidth—
Most similar
Devil's Appendix
United Kingdom
Height93 mWidth—
Also a plunge waterfall, of similar height and in the United Kingdom too
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
91 m
93 m
108 m
330 m
979 m
Hardraw ForceDevil's AppendixVictoria FallsEiffel TowerAngel Falls
Khone Phapheng Falls
10,783 m
Victoria Falls
1,708 m
Angel Falls is 11× taller than Hardraw Force. Victoria Falls is 1.2× taller. We don't have a reliable crest width for Hardraw 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
54.32111, -2.20222
Quick answers
Where is Hardraw Force?
Hardraw Force is in United Kingdom (High Abbotside). The nearest base is High Abbotside, United Kingdom. Its coordinates are 54.3211, -2.2022.
How tall is Hardraw Force?
Hardraw Force drops 91 metres (299 feet). It is a plunge-type waterfall on the Hardraw Beck.
When is the best time to visit Hardraw 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 Hardraw Force?
Beyond the viewpoints: swimming, hiking and photography. Access to the main viewpoint is rated easy — a short walk or roadside viewpoint.
Can you swim at Hardraw Force?
Yes — swimming is a normal part of a visit to Hardraw Force, in the pools away from the falling water. Only swim where it is permitted on the day, stay clear of the base of the falls where currents recirculate, and skip it after heavy rain.
How do you get to Hardraw Force?
The usual base is High Abbotside, United Kingdom. A short walk or roadside viewpoint from there.
Nearby
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Cautley Spout
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Caving