Eel Beck Waterfall (Holwick)

Looking for a peaceful little Teesdale adventure away from the crowds. This short out and back from Holwick leads you to a hidden waterfall on Eel Beck with wide open views to Holwick Scars. It is a simple route that feels properly wild once you are up on the moor. We use the most direct line from the closest parking near Holwick, then follow the beck to the falls. Expect rough pasture, a few wet patches, and that brilliant Teesdale sense of space.

Quick facts

  • Distance: 2.14 miles out and back

  • Time: about 49 minutes walking, around 1 hour with photo stops

  • Ascent: roughly 259 feet in total

  • Route type: out and back from Holwick

  • Start: Holwick, postcode DL12 0JN (very limited space on the lane)

  • Alternative parking: Bowlees Visitor Centre (easier parking, adds a little extra)

  • OS map: Explorer OL31 North Pennines

  • Terrain: farm lane, rough pasture, open moor, faint trods, short scrambly bits near the beck

  • Dog friendly: yes with care near livestock and steep wet rocks

  • See the route: Route preview

  • Best after: a bit of recent rain for a livelier waterfall

Eel Beck Waterfall flowing into a rocky pool on the open moorland above Holwick, Teesdale
Stone cottages and farm buildings in Holwick village at the start of the Eel Beck Waterfall walk

Parking and respect for the area

Holwick is a tiny hamlet reached by a narrow lane that passes working farms. Please arrive slowly and park with care. Do not block gates. Leave plenty of room for tractors and stock to pass, and keep engine noise and doors closing to a minimum early and late. If it is busy or you are unsure about space, use Bowlees Visitor Centre instead and enjoy a slightly longer warm up to the moor. This simple courtesy keeps access positive for everyone who loves Teesdale.

Hidden section of Eel Beck Waterfall on the high moors with natural rock steps and clear running water

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.)

Holwick Scars rising above the moorland path with dramatic rock formations marking the start of the walk

The walk

From Holwick, head out along the lane and begin the steady climb straight up through the natural gap in Holwick Scars. Follow the faint trod as it winds between the rocky outcrops, gaining height quickly. Once you reach the top of the scars, the landscape opens out dramatically with wide, wild views across the moor.

From here, follow the wall line straight ahead as it leads gently uphill over rough pasture. Keep the wall on your right-hand side. After a short while, cut left towards Eel Beck and follow the beck downstream. The waterfall is tucked just ahead, dropping into a rocky pool in a quiet hollow on the moor.

This is a peaceful hidden spot that feels a world away from the busier Teesdale trails. Take care near the edge as the rocks can be slippery, especially after rain. When you are ready, simply retrace your steps back along the wall and down through Holwick Scars to the starting point.

Open access moorland above Holwick with sweeping views back to Holwick Scars and the Teesdale valley
Expansive Teesdale moorland stretching towards Holwick Scars under open sky on the Eel Beck walking route

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 shapes the lips of High Force and Cauldron Snout, giving Teesdale its dramatic crags and waterfalls. Around Holwick you will notice 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 notes long running boundaries 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, 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 2.14 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.

Eel Beck Waterfall 1 Gpx
Geographical data – 12.8 KB 13 downloads

Nearby waterfalls and walks

Teesdale is full of hidden gems. If you have made the trip to Holwick it is well worth exploring a few more spots close by: