Please note: due to recent storms access to the waterfall viewing platform is closed. Even though you can’t get as close to the waterfall as usual you can enjoy the best view possible from the other footpaths. For full up to date information please visit The National Trust website. 

Aira Force is a waterfall in Matterdale in the Lake District, 25 miles south of the City of Carlisle. Postcode CA11 0JY.

There are several car parks that you could make use of for this family friendly walk. High Cascades, where we usually park, is a National Trust pay & display car park and it is approximately a 1.7 mile loop from here. Crossing the road and entering the National Trust gate you will see the path leading down towards the main Aira Force path. The views from this route are beautiful. Once you make it down the hill you reach the main path where you can follow the signs for the waterfall. This route takes us approximately 1 hour 30 minutes to complete – baring in mind we have lots of little legs and explorers that do take up more time.

An alternative car park, Park Brow, is much closer to the waterfall but we do find this car park can get busy. At the bottom of this walk you will then find the main Aira Force National Trust car park. Here you will find a cafe and toilets.

The start, from High Cascades.

The path leading down to the waterfall.

The viewing platform, this is currently closed.

Aira Force is not pram accessible due to the amount of steps to get down to the waterfall however, it is an easy ish walk and very family friendly. My children adore this walk! In fact I have loved this walk since I was a child myself. There is so much to see and the excitement of the huge waterfall at the end keeps everyone going! You follow the water downstream and due to the amount of rain that we have had recently the water was gushing incredibly fast down the mountain – great excitement!

I would highly recommend this walk for a lovely family day out, especially if it has been raining. Please don’t ever be put off by the bad weather, often these places are better after a little bit of a rain.

hiking household