Aira Force, Aysgarth, High Force and Sgwd yr Eira - the best dog-friendly waterfalls in the UK, with safety tips.
Updated
By Rob Griffiths12 July 2026 · 9 min read
A waterfall makes one of the most rewarding short walks you can take with a dog: a clear destination, the sound and spray of falling water, and usually a wooded or riverside path to get there. Britain is full of them, from the Lakeland cascades to the show-stoppers of Welsh waterfall country, and the great majority welcome dogs on a lead. The catch is always the same: wet rock and sudden drops, so the lead stays on near the falls themselves. Here are some of the best dog-friendly waterfalls in the UK, region by region.
Are dogs allowed at UK waterfalls?
In the great majority of cases, yes, on a lead. Most of Britain's famous waterfalls sit on open-access land, National Trust property or waymarked trails where dogs are welcome, and the walks to reach them are some of the best short dog outings in the country. A handful of privately managed sites charge an entry fee or have specific rules, so it is always worth checking before a long drive.
The universal rule is the lead. Waterfalls combine wet rock, fast water and steep drops, so even a reliable dog should be on a lead near the falls and the viewpoints. Keep dogs out of plunge pools, where the currents are far stronger than they look, and on a lead near the sheep and cattle that graze much of the surrounding country.
Which are the best dog-friendly waterfalls in the UK?
LAKE DISTRICT · CUMBRIA
Aira Force Editor's pick
A National Trust cascade above Ullswater
Woodland falls walk
Easy NT trails
Ullswater views
📍RegionLake District
🐾Dog accessOn-lead, welcome on NT land
🥾TerrainWoodland path, stone steps
⭐HighlightThe packhorse bridge view
Aira Force, a 20-metre cascade tumbling through a wooded National Trust glen above Ullswater, is one of the most popular and accessible waterfall walks in the Lake District. Well-made paths and stone bridges lead up through oak and pine to a series of viewpoints, with the classic photo from the little stone bridge at the lip of the fall. It is an easy, shaded dog walk that can be extended along Ullswater. Keep your dog on a lead on the bridges and the steep steps near the fall.
YORKSHIRE DALES · WENSLEYDALE
Aysgarth Falls
Three broad falls on the River Ure
Riverside falls walk
Family-friendly
Wooded trails
📍RegionYorkshire Dales
🐾Dog accessOn-lead near the river
🥾TerrainRiverside path, woodland
⭐HighlightThe triple-tier falls
Aysgarth Falls, a famous triple flight of broad limestone steps on the River Ure in Wensleydale, is a gentle and beautiful dog walk with viewpoints over the upper, middle and lower falls. A wooded circular path links them, with a visitor centre and cafe and easy access for all. It is at its most dramatic after rain, when the whole river thunders over the rock shelves. Keep your dog on a lead near the slippery riverside rocks and through the grazing fields on the wider loop.
YORKSHIRE DALES · WENSLEYDALE
Hardraw Force
England's highest single-drop waterfall
Single-drop fall
Short easy walk
Pub access
📍RegionYorkshire Dales
🐾Dog accessOn-lead (private access via the inn)
🥾TerrainShort level path
⭐HighlightThe 30-metre single drop
Hardraw Force, reached on a short walk through the grounds of the Green Dragon Inn at Hardraw near Hawes, is the highest unbroken single-drop waterfall in England, plunging around 30 metres into a natural amphitheatre. The walk in is easy and level, and dogs on a lead are welcome (there is a small entry fee paid at the dog-friendly inn). It is a wonderful spot, and you can finish with a drink at the pub. Keep your dog on a lead on the wet rock near the base of the fall.
TEESDALE · COUNTY DURHAM
High Force
The mighty fall on the River Tees
Powerful waterfall
Riverside walk
Big volume after rain
📍RegionNorth Pennines
🐾Dog accessOn-lead on the trails
🥾TerrainWoodland path, riverside
⭐HighlightThe thundering main fall
High Force, where the River Tees drops some 21 metres over the hard dolerite of the Whin Sill, is one of the most powerful waterfalls in England, an awesome sight in spate. A short woodland path from the car park leads to the viewpoint, with longer walks along the Pennine Way for more. Dogs on a lead are welcome on the trails. It is a dramatic, easy stop in the North Pennines; keep your dog firmly on a lead near the powerful water and the steep riverbank.
BRECON BEACONS · WATERFALL COUNTRY
Sgwd yr Eira
The waterfall you can walk behind
Walk behind the fall
Woodland gorge
Waterfall Country trails
📍RegionBannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons)
🐾Dog accessOn-lead, rough riverside path
🥾TerrainWoodland gorge, rocky steps
⭐HighlightThe path behind the curtain of water
Sgwd yr Eira, in the famous Waterfall Country around Ystradfellte in the southern Brecon Beacons, is the one where a path runs behind the curtain of falling water, a magical and slightly damp experience. It is part of a network of woodland gorge walks linking several falls on the rivers Mellte and Hepste. The going is rough, rocky and steep in places, so it suits a sure-footed dog kept firmly on a lead. These wooded ravines are at their best after rain; wear good boots and watch your footing on the wet rock.
BERWYN MOUNTAINS · WALES
Pistyll Rhaeadr
The tallest waterfall in Wales
Tallest Welsh fall
Mountain setting
Dog-friendly cafe
📍RegionPowys, North Wales
🐾Dog accessOn-lead near the falls
🥾TerrainValley path, steep climb option
⭐HighlightThe 73-metre cataract
Pistyll Rhaeadr, tucked into the Berwyn Mountains above Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant, is the tallest waterfall in Wales, dropping around 73 metres in two dramatic stages through a rocky cleft. A short walk from the car park reaches the base, and a steeper path climbs to a viewpoint at the top for the energetic. There is a dog-friendly tea room at the foot. It is a magnificent, slightly out-of-the-way spot; keep your dog on a lead on the steep upper path and near the plunge pool.
GLEN NEVIS · SCOTLAND
Steall Falls
A Highland fall below Ben Nevis
Highland gorge walk
Wire bridge
Mountain scenery
📍RegionLochaber, Highlands
🐾Dog accessOn-lead, rugged path
🥾TerrainRocky gorge path, river
⭐HighlightThe 120-metre fall and the glen
Steall Falls, at the head of Glen Nevis in the shadow of Ben Nevis, is one of the highest waterfalls in Scotland, a 120-metre ribbon dropping into a wild mountain meadow. The walk in follows a spectacular rocky path through the Nevis gorge with the river crashing below, opening into the meadow with the fall beyond. It is a rugged but unforgettable Highland dog walk. Keep your dog on a lead on the exposed gorge path, and note the famous three-wire bridge across the river is for confident heads only.
Can dogs swim at waterfalls?
It is best not to let them. The plunge pools below waterfalls look inviting but hide strong currents, undertows and cold-water shock, and the smooth rock around them is treacherous when wet. Keep your dog on a lead near any fall and choose a calm, shallow stretch of river well downstream if you want them to cool off. The same caution applies to you: every year people get into difficulty in waterfall pools that look gentler than they are.
Tips for visiting waterfalls with a dog
01
Keep the lead on near the falls
Wet rock and sudden drops make waterfalls one of the few places to keep even a reliable dog on a lead, however good their recall.
02
Go after rain for the drama
Waterfalls are at their most spectacular in spate. Visit after a wet spell, but expect slippery paths and wear proper boots.
03
Avoid the plunge pools
Never let a dog swim below a waterfall. The currents and cold are dangerous. Pick a calm, shallow river stretch downstream instead.
04
Check access and fees
A few sites, like Hardraw Force and Pistyll Rhaeadr, are privately managed with a small fee. Check rules and parking before a long drive.
05
Mind the livestock
Most waterfall walks cross or border grazing land. Keep your dog on a lead near sheep and cattle, especially in the hills.
Frequently asked questions
Q01Are dogs allowed at Aira Force?▾
Yes, on a lead. Aira Force, the National Trust cascade above Ullswater in the Lake District, welcomes dogs on its woodland trails, and it is one of the most accessible waterfall walks in the Lakes. Keep your dog on a lead on the bridges and the steep steps near the fall, and under control near any grazing land.
Q02Can you take a dog behind the waterfall at Sgwd yr Eira?▾
Yes, on a lead, if your dog is sure-footed. Sgwd yr Eira in the Brecon Beacons' Waterfall Country is famous for the path that runs behind the curtain of water. The route is rough, rocky and wet, so keep your dog firmly on a lead and wear good boots, especially after rain.
Q03Which is the tallest dog-friendly waterfall in the UK?▾
Among dog-friendly sites, Pistyll Rhaeadr in Powys is the tallest waterfall in Wales at around 73 metres, and Steall Falls in Glen Nevis is one of the highest in Scotland at around 120 metres. Both welcome dogs on a lead, with England's highest single drop being Hardraw Force in the Yorkshire Dales.
Q04Should I let my dog swim in a waterfall pool?▾
No. The plunge pools below waterfalls have strong currents, undertows and dangerously cold water, and the surrounding rock is slippery. Keep your dog on a lead near any fall, and choose a calm, shallow stretch of river well downstream if you want them to cool off safely.
Live prices and availability for stays that genuinely welcome dogs.
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