9.25 miles.

Expolorer Map OL31, - North Pennines

A well tried and tested walk that can be made at any time of year. The moorland walking involved is fairly straightforward, and providing you have a compass and decent footwear there should be no problems.

The walk as described here includes a detour to view High Force waterfall from the North bank of the River Tees, where a small fee is required to enter the grounds on this side of the river. The view of the waterfall is spectacular from this side, but you may choose to shorten the walk or not pay the fee and omit this part of the walk. Please be aware that the rocks on top of High Force can be extremely slippery.

From the Bowlees Picnic Area, the walk takes the Pennine Way from Low Force to High Force and then up towards Cronkley Scar. However, before reaching Cronkley Scar, the footpath heads back East over Holwick Fell, to return to Low Force by Holwick Scar.

For a Memory Map overlay of the walk described, please select the above link.
(Overlay made with Version 4 of Memory Map)

Start from the Bowlees Picnic Area (NY90816 28370).
Take the path past the Visitor Information Centre down to the B6277, cross the road, and then take the waymarked footpath down to Low Force.
At Low Force, cross the River Tees by the Wynch Bridge.
Once on the South Bank of the Tees, turn right and follow the footpath beside the river to the footbridge at NY888 283.
Here you may cross the river and take the waymarked footpath to High Force (small fee required).
Alternatively, do NOT cross the river but continue along the waymarked Pennine Way. You will pass High Force on the South Bank, where there is an excellent view of the waterfall. Continue past High Force, Blea Beck, and a pair of footbridges over Dry Beck and Skyer Beck. The footpath now rises gently.
At NY861 283 the Pennine Way continues Northwards, but at this point you want to take the footpath to join another footpath running West-East at NY860 280.
Follow this latter path, - well marked by cairns and a green track, until it joins a farm track leading towards Holwick Scar.
At NY898 272 there is a gate marked by a pair of stone sheep. Pass through this gate (DO NOT take the track down to Holwick Lodge). Continue down through Holwick Scar to the hamlet of Holwick.
Take the minor road on your left, followed by the waymarked footpath, back to Low Force.
From Low Force return to the Bowlees Picnic Area.