Easter Beck Waterfall (Holwick)

Open access land — how this route works

Once you are up by Holwick Scars you are on Open Access Land which gives you the freedom to roam on foot beyond public rights of way. There are no waymarks here, so you choose your best line. We have shown the most direct and doable route, but on the ground you may need to work around fences, wet ground, and small side streams. Take your time, look ahead, and pick the safest line that suits your group. The reward is a real sense of exploration and some great views.
(Open access here is designated under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000. It is for quiet recreation on foot. Always follow local signs for any temporary restrictions.)

The walk

From Holwick, head out along the lane then begin the steady climb up towards the open moor. Holwick Scars rise dramatically on your left, follow the faint trod that runs below them, gaining height as you go. Once you reach the top of the scars the landscape suddenly opens out with wide, sweeping views across the moor. From here the route becomes a simple straight line on open access land.

Continue walking gently uphill across the moor, keeping to the drier ground where possible. You will not see the waterfall immediately, it is tucked just beyond a wall to your right. As you get closer, listen for the sound of water. Follow the safest line parallel to the wall, then cross at the most obvious gap or stile.

Right on the other side the waterfall appears, dropping into a rocky channel with a clear small pool below. It feels wonderfully secluded, surrounded by moorland and open sky , a peaceful hidden spot that rewards the short climb. Take care near the edge as the rocks can be slippery, especially after rain.

When you are ready, simply retrace your steps back over the moor and enjoy the long views back towards Holwick Scars and the Teesdale valley.

📍 Waterfall location for mapping pin: 54.624400, -2.233420
📍 Start: Holwick lane area, DL12 0JN

History and geology

Holwick Scars form part of the Great Whin Sill, a thick near horizontal sheet of hard igneous rock that forced its way between older rocks around 295 million years ago. The same tough rock forms the lips of High Force and Cauldron Snout, giving Teesdale its dramatic crags and waterfalls. Around Holwick you can see striking columnar jointing in the Whin Sill and places where the dolerite has weathered deeply over time. The area is nationally important for both geology and habitats.

Holwick and the surrounding fell have seen centuries of farming, with traces of older field systems and boundaries up on the moor. Historic mapping and records note a long field boundary between the becks here, a reminder that people have shaped and navigated this landscape for a very long time.

You are also walking within the North Pennines National Landscape, which is recognised as a UNESCO Global Geopark for its world class earth heritage. It is one of the best places in England to see how rock, ice, water, and people have worked together to create this big open country.

Safety and seasonal notes

• Rocks beside the beck are often slippery. Keep back from edges in wet or icy weather.

• Expect livestock. Keep dogs close and leave gates as you find them.

• In mist or snow, open access navigation needs care. Carry a paper OS map and compass even if you are using GPS.

• Check for any temporary access restrictions on the fell if you plan to roam more widely.

GPX and map

We have uploaded a GPX for this direct out and back route at 2.42 miles. Add it to your phone, or pre plot it on your favourite app before you go. On the ground, remember this is open access country, so the exact line you take may vary a little as you pick the best ground.

Easter Beck Waterfall GPX