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 · Loweswater
Scale Force
Scale Force is considered the highest waterfall in the English Lake District. Opinions vary about how its precise height is calculated, but the total height is normally stated as 170 feet .
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.
Scale Force drops 52 metres (171 ft). It is a cascade-type fall, and the nearest base for a visit is Loweswater, 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 Scale Force itself — the experience is the approach and the view. Guided day trips from Loweswater 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 Loweswater, United Kingdom
- Country United Kingdom
- Region Loweswater, British Isles, Europe
- Access Moderate — a real walk — expect stairs, uneven ground or an hour on the trail
How it compares
This waterfall
Scale Force
United Kingdom
Height52 mWidth—
Most similar
Gluggafoss
Iceland
Height52 mWidth—
Also a cascade waterfall, of similar height and in Iceland
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
Gluggafoss
Iceland
Height52 mWidth—
Also a cascade waterfall, of similar height and in Iceland
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
52 m
52 m
108 m
330 m
979 m
Scale ForceGluggafossVictoria FallsEiffel TowerAngel Falls
Khone Phapheng Falls
10,783 m
Victoria Falls
1,708 m
Angel Falls is 19× taller than Scale Force. Victoria Falls is 2.1× taller. We don't have a reliable crest width for Scale 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
54.5432, -3.3135
Quick answers
Where is Scale Force?
Scale Force is in United Kingdom (Loweswater). The nearest base is Loweswater, United Kingdom. Its coordinates are 54.5432, -3.3135.
How tall is Scale Force?
Scale Force drops 52 metres (171 feet). It is a cascade-type waterfall.
When is the best time to visit Scale 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 Scale Force?
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 Scale Force?
The usual base is Loweswater, United Kingdom. A real walk — expect stairs, uneven ground or an hour on the trail from there.
Nearby
Closest to Scale Force
Moss Force
United Kingdom · 4 km away
Moss Force is a waterfall situated within the Lake District National Park in the English county of Cumbria.…
Lodore Falls
United Kingdom · 30 m · 11 km away
Lodore Falls is a waterfall in Cumbria, England, close to Derwentwater and downstream from Watendlath. The…
UNESCO Aira Force
United Kingdom · 20 m · 20 km away
A Lake District landmark tied to Wordsworth
Cautley Spout
United Kingdom · 198 m · 60 km away
Cautley Spout is England's highest waterfall above ground. . The broken cascade of falls tumbles a total of…