High Force Circular Walk Teesdale
The High Force circular walk is one of the best ways to experience the changing landscape of Upper Teesdale in a single route.
Starting from Bowlees Visitor Centre, this 6.9-mile circular walk first leads to Low Force and Wynch Bridge before climbing onto the open ground beneath Holwick Scar. From there, the route swings back towards the River Tees and follows the water downstream past Bleabeck Force and High Force.
What makes this walk so rewarding is the contrast along the way. One moment you are crossing quiet, exposed moorland with wide views across the valley, and the next you are back beside the river, listening to the water gather strength as you approach High Force.
There are smaller details to notice too, including the carved stone sheep on the moor, the dark Whin Sill rock beneath the waterfalls and the changing views across Upper Teesdale.
This guide includes the full step-by-step route, parking at Bowlees Visitor Centre, terrain, access information, GPX files and everything you need to follow the High Force circular walk with confidence.
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Quick Facts
Distance: Around 6.9 miles
Time: Around 3.5 to 4.5 hours
Route type: Circular
Start point: Bowlees Visitor Centre DL12 0XE
Parking: Bowlees Visitor Centre car park
Terrain: Moorland, riverside paths and uneven ground
Difficulty: Moderate
Dog friendly: Yes, on a lead
Child friendly: Suitable for older children
Toilets and café: Available during Bowlees Visitor Centre opening hours
OS Map: Explorer OL31 North Pennines*
Digital route guide: View on Hiiker*
GPX files: Free download here
Parking and Access
Parking for this walk is at Bowlees Visitor Centre, DL12 0XE, where there is a large donation based car park with plenty of space compared with many of the smaller parking spots around Upper Teesdale.
Contributions help support the upkeep of the site and surrounding countryside.
Bowlees Visitor Centre also has toilets and a café serving hot drinks, food and cakes during opening hours, making it a handy place to start or finish the walk.
The route begins directly from the visitor centre and follows a mixture of public rights of way and open access land.
Route Guide Step by Step
Start at Bowlees Visitor Centre car park and follow the clear path across the field towards the sound of the river. Within a few minutes, you reach Low Force, a wide cascade flowing over dark Whin Sill rock and a good place to pause before continuing.
From here, head towards Wynch Bridge and cross carefully, one person at a time. As you step onto the bridge, the walk begins to feel different, leaving the busier valley behind and moving towards more open ground.
After crossing, follow the path left as it rises steadily away from the river. The landscape opens out and Holwick Scar begins to appear ahead, with its dark rock face stretching along the hillside.
The route continues out onto open moorland where the path becomes less defined but still easy to follow in clear conditions. This is one of the quietest parts of the walk, with wide views across Upper Teesdale and very little to interrupt the landscape.
As you continue, look out for the carved stone sheep set into the ground. They are easy to miss at first, but once spotted they add a small but memorable detail to this section of the walk.
The route gradually begins to curve and descend back towards the valley. The sound of the River Tees returns as you drop down towards the riverside path.
As you reach the riverside path, turn right and follow the River Tees downstream. After a short distance, look out on your right for Bleabeck Force. It sits tucked into a rocky gully just off the main path and is often missed, but well worth taking a short detour to see.
Continue along the riverside path and the sound of High Force builds ahead. From the western bank, you get a powerful view of the waterfall as the River Tees drops in a single surge over the Whin Sill rock.
From here, follow the clear path downstream. The route becomes easier again, passing through woodland and alongside the river before bringing you back to Low Force.
From Low Force, retrace your steps across the field to return to Bowlees Visitor Centre.
What You’ll See
This circular walk brings together waterfalls, open moorland and wide River Tees views, showing the full contrast of Upper Teesdale in one route.
Stone Sheep
Carved stone sheep placed across the moorland. Easy to miss at first, but a unique feature that reflects Teesdale’s farming history.
Open Moorland Views
Wide, open ground with big skies and very few people. This section feels calm and remote, a contrast to the river below.
River Tees Valley Views
Views from above the river show the landscape opening out across Upper Teesdale. The winding river adds a different perspective to the walk.
Bleabeck Force
A quieter waterfall tucked into a rocky gully just off the main path. Often missed, but worth taking a short detour to see.
High Force Waterfall
One of England’s most dramatic waterfalls, where the River Tees plunges over the Whin Sill, dropping in a single surge. From this side of the river, it feels wild, open and untouched.
Low Force Waterfall
A wide cascade where the River Tees spreads across dark Whin Sill rock. It is one of the most accessible waterfalls in Teesdale and a strong start to the walk.
Why This Walk Feels Different
Most people visit High Force as a short stop.
This walk turns it into something much bigger.
You leave the busy paths behind, step out onto open moorland, and experience a quieter side of Teesdale before returning to one of its most powerful natural features.
It is not just about reaching High Force, but about everything you pass along the way.
The contrast between wild open space and the energy of the river is what makes this route feel complete.
Is This Walk Right for You
This is a longer walk with a real mix of terrain.
The riverside sections are generally easy to follow, but once you head onto the moor the paths become less obvious and there are fewer signs to rely on. Take a map or GPX route and be comfortable using it, especially if cloud or poor visibility comes in.
The ground is uneven in places and Upper Teesdale weather can change surprisingly quickly, so decent footwear and an extra layer are always worth carrying.
Around High Force, give the river and cliff edges plenty of room. Some edges are unfenced and can be hidden by vegetation, while River Tees levels can rise quickly after rain. If conditions look worse than expected, there is nothing wrong with turning back and saving the walk for another day.
We would class this as suitable for older children who are comfortable with longer walks and uneven ground, with close supervision beside the river and around High Force. It is not suitable for pushchairs.
Dogs can join you, but keep them on a lead around livestock and follow any temporary access signs or restrictions on the open moorland.
A Moment of Calm
Somewhere between the cliffs of Holwick Scar and the sound of the river below, the walk begins to slow you down.
Out on the moor, it is just wind, space and sky.
Then gradually, the river returns, the sound of water building again as you move back towards the valley.
By the time you reach High Force, it feels earned.
Take a moment before moving on. Stand back, listen to the water, and take in the scale of it.
It is not just about seeing the waterfall, but about the journey that brought you there.
Explore More from Bowlees
Bowlees is one of the best starting points for exploring Upper Teesdale.
From here, you can visit Low Force and Wynch Bridge, continue along the river to High Force, or follow woodland paths to Summerhill Force and Gibson’s Cave.
If you want something quieter, routes like Flushiemere Beck lead out into the fields and hidden corners above the woodland.
The former Bowlees Quarry is also just a short walk from the car park and shows another side of the landscape.
Each route starts in the same place, but they all feel completely different once you set off.
Explore More in Teesdale
High Force is just one part of what makes this area special.
If you are looking to explore further, these guides will help you discover more waterfalls, walks and hidden places across Teesdale:
Teesdale Waterfalls
Teesdale Walks and Hiking Routes
Teesdale History and Heritage
Reservoirs of Teesdale
Dark Sky Locations in Teesdale