The Grey Panthers

A delightful walk which can be enjoyed at just about any time of the year.
The walk starts from the Bowlees Visitor Centre, where there is plenty of (free) car parking and a visitor centre with cafe.
From the Visitor Centre the footpath takes you to the waterfalls at Low Force.
The Pennine Way footpath is then followed, keeping to the South bank of the River Tees, to overlook High Force waterfall.
Crossing over the river, High Force can then be viewed on the North side from the "Waterfalls Walk" maintained by the Raby Estate.
From High force there is an easy to follow footpath and track back to Bowlees.
The final treat is to visit Gibson's Cave and Summerhill Force, - a short walk North form the Bowlees Visitor Centre.

A map of the route followed has been plotted on the Ordinance Survey mapping website, By selecting the ink below you will be taken to this map, - complete with distances and heights marked on the route.

The route shown is on a standard map. To view the route on an Ordinance Survey map, select the icon in the lower right of the screen. If the route is displayed on a 1:50 OS map, zoom in to see the details on a 1:25 OS map.
There is also the option to view the route in a satellite image.

Start from the car park at the Bowlees Visitor Centre. (NY908 203).
From Bowlees head South across the B6277 road, taking the footpath to the waterfalls at Low Force.
Cross the River Tees using the Wynch Bridge, then turn right and follow the Pennine Way footpath to the footbridge over the river.
Do not cross this bridge at this point, but continue on the Pennine Way footpath to the point which overlooks High Force waterfall.
Now retrace your steps to the footbridge over the River Tees. Turn left and follow the footpath to the High Force Hotel.
Here you will find the entrance to the "Waterfalls Walk" (administered by the Raby Estate) for a view of the High Force waterfall from the North side of the river. Fee payable.
Return to the High Force Hotel and visitor car park.
Cross the car park for the signposted footpath which takes you to Dirt Pit.
From Dirt Pit take the farm road back to Bowlees.
To complete your day out, there is an enjoyable, - and easy, hike up the trail that runs alongside the Bow Lee Beck to Gibson's Cave. At the end of this trail is the waterfall that tumbles down above the actual cave.