Hardraw Force is in Hardraw, near to Hawes, and is one of the tallest single-drop waterfalls in England. The walk to the falls starts behind the Green Dragon Inn, which is well worth a visit in its own right for food and its regular Wednesday music night. There is a small entrance fee to enter the waterfall walk, but it is lovely, particularly if there has been rain. The walk is fairly flat and well laid out, with pathways, some seating and lovely views as well as the waterfall itself. Film fans may recognise it as the setting for the famous waterfall scene in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. Most waterfalls nearby are free to visit, but Hardraw's modest fee preserves the path and the unbroken view, which is the better deal of the two.
Hardraw Force
The Hawes Waterfalls Walk
This walk from Hawes visits three of the Yorkshire Dales' waterfalls - Hardraw Force, Cotter Force and Aysgill Force - following the River Ure and the Pennine Way through Wensleydale. Hardraw Force is England's highest single-drop waterfall, a reputed 100-foot drop that you reach through the grounds of the Green Dragon Inn at Hardraw. Aysgill Force is a narrower, quieter fall further up the valley, reached via a path from Gayle.
The route uses the Pennine Way and other public footpaths, starting and ending in Hawes, which has the White Hart Inn, The Chippie and Caffe Curva for food and drink before or after. The Dales Countryside Museum and the Wensleydale Creamery are both in Hawes if you want to make a full day of it. Hawes is about 30 minutes' drive from Garsdale.
- Start point: Hawes (Market Place, DL8 3QX)
- Distance: 7 miles/11.3km, around 5 hours, moderate
- Parking: Market Place or SPAR Hawes car park
- Route description: Countryfile - Hawes, Aysgill Force and Hardraw Force

Stay Near Hardraw Force
We have three holiday cottages in Garsdale you can use as a base for visiting Hardraw Force.
Farrier's Cottage
A three bedroom stone cottage dating back to 1675
Roger Pot
A three bedroom property ideal for families
The Old Cart House
A cosy one-bedroom cottage perfect for couples and small families
See Also
- The Green Dragon at Hardraw - the pub you walk through to reach the force
- Cautley Spout
- Cotter Force - an easy roadside waterfall on the way into Hawes
- Aysgarth Falls
- Aysgill Force
- Walks
- Things To Do


