Your Ultimate Guide to exploring off-the-beaten track waterfalls scattered across the Peak District.
It's no surprise to say that the Peak District National Park is full of waterfalls! For all you waterfall lovers; hearing the water crash into pools and seeing the water cascade over the rocks can be somewhat therapeutic as the water flows.
Peak District waterfalls are becoming more and more popular as the years go on, however some of these are still *hidden* to majority of the tourists, so we recommend visiting these ASAP before they got hold of them!
In this article, we share our top 11 hidden waterfalls in the Peak District and what to expect from them. So sit back and take some notes for your next Peak District adventure!
1) Padley Gorge
Padley Gorge is known for being a very tranquil place to visit, and it's no surprise why! There are plenty of small and wonderful waterfalls to admire, however the trail can be quite difficult for some so we recommend appropriate footwear. For all you wild swimming fans; take your swimwear for a warm peaceful dip in these rivers!
Padley Gorge is an intriguing and interesting gem located in the Peak District. You'll be walking through a moss covered boulder strewn woodland surrounded by enchanted trees and a picturesque brook running through it.
You'll discover many waterfalls amongst Padley Gorge, but our favourite is the one pictured above as not many people know about it. Good luck finding it!
FAQs/Things to know before visiting Padley Gorge
1) Where is Padley Gorge located?
Padley Gorge is located in the Peak District National Park, near the village of Grindleford in Derbyshire, England.
2) What makes Padley Gorge a hidden gem?
Padley Gorge is considered a hidden gem due to its picturesque woodland scenery, enchanting stream, and tranquil atmosphere, offering visitors a peaceful escape into nature.
3) How do I get to Padley Gorge?
Visitors can access Padley Gorge by car or public transportation. There are parking areas near the gorge, and it is also accessible by train from Sheffield or Manchester, with Grindleford Station located nearby. From the parking areas or the station, visitors can follow footpaths into Padley Gorge.
Places to stay near Padley Gorge
This beautiful walk in the Peak District will reward you with amazing waterfalls to explore and pools to swim in! It's sometimes described as an enchanting watery place to hike, especially being situated on the border of Derbyshire, Staffordshire and Cheshire.
Described as an awesome hidden gem, Three Shires Head has risen to fame since the pandemic but you'll still find it relatively quiet! It's only 35-40 minutes walk from the main walk, in which you'll be greeted with stunning views as well as wildlife.
The pools at Three Shires Head are deep enough for a little swim however we strongly advise diving in. It's a great day out when the sun is shining however after a day of heavy rain it looks absolutely amazing!
FAQs/Things to know before visiting Three Shires Head
1) Where is Three Shires Head located?
Three Shires Head is located at the meeting point of three counties: Cheshire, Derbyshire, and Staffordshire, in the Peak District National Park, England.
2) What makes Three Shires Head a hidden gem?
Three Shires Head is considered a hidden gem due to its remote location, stunning natural beauty, and the unique geological feature of three counties converging at one spot. The area offers visitors picturesque scenery, cascading waterfalls, and peaceful surroundings away from more heavily trafficked tourist destinations.
3) How do I get to Three Shires Head?
Visitors can access Three Shires Head by foot from various nearby villages, including Flash in Staffordshire and Wildboarclough in Cheshire. There are footpaths and trails leading to the site, offering scenic views of the surrounding countryside.
Places to stay near Three Shires Head
Visitors will have the lucky choice of multiple waterfalls to see when visiting Birchen Clough. It's located in the Chew Valley (on the edge of the Peak District), and does include some scrambling to get to the falls!
For those wanting to make a day off it, you can also take a visit to Dovestones Reservoir which isn't that difficult to reach (although a bit of scrambling is required!). Although if it has rained a massive amount, we strongly advise not doing this due to it being nearly impossible to scramble.
We'd say it's definitely worth visiting Birchen Clough Waterfall after a heavy amount of rainfall to admire it's true beauty, however it's just as nice on a fair-weather day. The falls can be quite all over the place after a big downpour, none-the-less it's still breath-taking!
FAQs/Things to know before visiting Birchen Clough Waterfall
1) Where is Birchen Clough Waterfall located?
Birchen Clough Waterfall is located in the Peak District National Park, near the village of Hayfield in Derbyshire, England.
2) What makes Birchen Clough Waterfall a hidden gem?
Birchen Clough Waterfall is considered a hidden gem due to its secluded location, stunning natural beauty, and the picturesque cascade of water as it tumbles down the rocky cliffs, offering visitors a serene and enchanting experience.
3) How do I get to Birchen Clough Waterfall?
Visitors can access Birchen Clough Waterfall by foot from the village of Hayfield. There are footpaths leading from the village into the surrounding countryside, including the Pennine Way and the Sett Valley Trail, which pass by Birchen Clough. The waterfall can be reached by following these footpaths and then taking a short detour off-trail to reach the waterfall.
Places to stay near Birchen Clough Waterfall
This little gem of a waterfall is located on the north side of Kinder Downfall, and can be very tricky to get too. There is a rough path to follow, but you have to pick your own route when going uphill, so please do wear appropriate footwear and be careful! However, once completed you'll be rewarded with this stunning waterfall.
There is a rough path to follow, but you have to pick your own route when going uphill, so please do wear appropriate footwear and be careful! However, once completed you'll be rewarded with this stunning waterfall.
Once you've parked up on the Snakes Pass and are following the signs to Blackden Brook, you'll notice the path gets very narrow. Although it's not the easiest route along the brook, it does provide you with some great scenery (including this gem of a waterfall!
FAQs/Things to know before visiting Blackden Brook Waterfall
1) Where is Blackden Brook Waterfall located?
Blackden Brook Waterfall is located in the Peak District National Park, near the village of Whitehough in Derbyshire, England.
2) What makes Blackden Brook Waterfall a hidden gem?
Blackden Brook Waterfall is considered a hidden gem due to its secluded location, pristine natural beauty, and the picturesque cascade of water as it descends through the rugged landscape, offering visitors a tranquil and enchanting experience.
3) How do I get to Blackden Brook Waterfall?
Visitors can access Blackden Brook Waterfall by foot from the nearby village of Whitehough. There are footpaths leading from the village into the surrounding countryside, including the Pennine Bridleway, which passes by Blackden Brook. The waterfall can be reached by following these footpaths and then taking a short detour off-trail to reach the waterfall.
Places to stay near Blackden Brook Waterfall
Kinder Downfall is an absolute stunning and imposing waterfall located in the Peak District. The sheer rock faces and cascading water make it one hell of a natural beauty. It's the largest waterfall in the Peak District, and the views at the top are truly breath-taking!
We recommend visiting Kinder Downfall after heavy rain as majority of the time you'll only see a trickle of water coming down. However that doesnt change the fact that it's still very impressive and the views you'll be rewarded with are amazing!
It's worth noting the route is slightly challenging and you'll need a few spells of energetic waves to get you through it as it's very steep terrain up the mountain. However it's definitely worth the trek as the landscape view is lovely as well as refreshing (say hi to the friendly sheep for us too!).
FAQs/Things to know before visiting Kinder Downfall
1) Where is Kinder Downfall located?
Kinder Downfall is located in the Peak District National Park, near the village of Edale in Derbyshire, England.
2) What makes Kinder Downfall a hidden gem?
Kinder Downfall is considered a hidden gem due to its rugged beauty, the spectacular sight of water cascading over the edge of the Kinder Scout plateau, and its significance as one of the tallest waterfalls in England, offering visitors a breathtaking and memorable experience.
3) How do I get to Kinder Downfall?
Visitors can access Kinder Downfall by foot from the nearby village of Edale. There are footpaths leading from Edale into the surrounding countryside, including the Pennine Way, which passes near Kinder Downfall. The waterfall can be reached by following these footpaths and then taking a short detour off-trail to reach the waterfall.
Places to stay near Kinder Downfall
Jacob's Ladder is a moderate to difficult hike in the Peak District, and can be done when setting off for Kinder Scout from Edale. If you're not used to hill walking, get some practise in before attempting this hike.
However, you'll come across this gem of a waterfall which you can stop at and admire, before you continue your adventure.
The Jacob's Ladder hike is moderate to difficult, so if you're a first timer you might want to try a different route for your first hike. Just before the climb you'll be greeted by this little waterfall to boost your morale!
FAQs/Things to know before visiting Jacob's Ladder Waterfall
1) Where is Jacob's Ladder Waterfall located?
Jacob's Ladder Waterfall is located in the Peak District National Park, near the village of Edale in Derbyshire, England.
2) What makes Jacob's Ladder Waterfall a hidden gem?
Jacob's Ladder Waterfall is considered a hidden gem due to its secluded location, stunning natural beauty, and the picturesque cascade of water as it descends down the rocky cliffs, offering visitors a serene and enchanting experience.
3) How do I get to Jacob's Ladder Waterfall?
Visitors can access Jacob's Ladder Waterfall by foot from the village of Edale. There are footpaths leading from Edale into the surrounding countryside, including the Pennine Way, which passes near Jacob's Ladder. The waterfall can be reached by following these footpaths and then taking a short detour off-trail to reach the waterfall.
Places to stay near Jacob's Ladder Waterfall
An amazing place to visit in the Peak District with one of the best hidden waterfalls to see! You have to do a little exploring to find it; follow the river upstream and you'll eventually hear it before you see it. If there's been heavy rainfall the night before, you may even be lucky enough to have a quick dip!
Middle Black Clough Waterfall really is something out of a fairy tale! The main waterfall however which you see in the photos requires a bit of scrambling down as it is very steep and quite dangerous so please take extra care. It's definitely worth the scramble once you get to the bottom as you can see!
FAQs/Things to know before visiting Middle Black Clough Waterfall
1) Where is Middle Black Clough Waterfall located?
Middle Black Clough Waterfall is located in the Peak District National Park, near the village of Glossop in Derbyshire, England.
2) What makes Middle Black Clough Waterfall a hidden gem?
Middle Black Clough Waterfall is considered a hidden gem due to its remote location, pristine natural beauty, and the picturesque cascade of water as it descends down the rugged cliffs, offering visitors a peaceful and enchanting experience amidst the wilderness of the Peak District.
3) How do I get to Middle Black Clough Waterfall?
Visitors can access Middle Black Clough Waterfall by foot from the nearby village of Glossop. There are footpaths leading from Glossop into the surrounding countryside, including the Pennine Way and the Longdendale Trail, which pass near Middle Black Clough. The waterfall can be reached by following these footpaths and then taking a short detour off-trail to reach the waterfall.
Places to stay near Middle Black Clough Waterfall
If you're in the Dark Peak area (not too far from the Pennine Way National Trail) you should definitely check out this waterfall. Issue Clough Waterfall is off the beaten track and does require some tricky scrambling to get too, but once you make your way up the clough you're rewarded with the sight of this beauty.
FAQs/Things to know before visiting Issue Clough Waterfall
1) Where is Issue Clough Waterfall located?
Issue Clough Waterfall is located in the Peak District National Park, near the village of Glossop in Derbyshire, England.
2) What makes Issue Clough Waterfall a hidden gem?
Issue Clough Waterfall is considered a hidden gem due to its secluded location, pristine natural beauty, and the picturesque cascade of water as it descends down the rocky cliffs, offering visitors a peaceful and enchanting experience amidst the wilderness of the Peak District.
3) How do I get to Issue Clough Waterfall?
Visitors can access Issue Clough Waterfall by foot from the nearby village of Glossop. There are footpaths leading from Glossop into the surrounding countryside, including the Pennine Way and the Longdendale Trail, which pass near Issue Clough. The waterfall can be reached by following these footpaths and then taking a short detour off-trail to reach the waterfall.
Places to stay near Issue Clough Waterfall
Crowden Brook Waterfall is a gorgeous gem located on one of the less popular routes up to Kinder Scout plateau. The route you'll need to take is the Crowden Clough (many guides on how to hike this can be found online) which can be quite tricky, but it's worth the challenge to see this hidden waterfall.
The waterfall is at the start of the Crowden Clough access in which the walk will take you alongside the brook. It's easy to reach if you're used to this kind of hiking!
FAQs/Things to know before visiting Crowden Brook Waterfall
1) Where is Crowden Brook Waterfall located?
Crowden Brook Waterfall is located in the Peak District National Park, near the village of Edale in Derbyshire, England.
2) What makes Crowden Brook Waterfall a hidden gem?
Crowden Brook Waterfall is considered a hidden gem due to its secluded location, pristine natural beauty, and the picturesque cascade of water as it descends down the rocky cliffs, offering visitors a tranquil and enchanting experience amidst the wilderness of the Peak District.
3) How do I get to Crowden Brook Waterfall?
Visitors can access Crowden Brook Waterfall by foot from the nearby village of Edale. There are footpaths leading from Edale into the surrounding countryside, including the Pennine Way, which passes near Crowden Brook. The waterfall can be reached by following these footpaths and then taking a short detour off-trail to reach the waterfall.
Places to stay near Crowden Brook Waterfall
10) Wessenden Head
If you're doing the route to Pennine Way as mentioned previously in this article, then this waterfall is another one to visit. The waterfall isn't far from Wessenden Reservoir, and it can be spotted from the footpath.
You'll have to descend down if you want a close up, and it can be quite muddy and slippery so it's up to you whether to see it properly or not!
Wessenden Head can be reached by a faint path, but is definitely worth the visit if you're in the area! The waterfall is most impressive after heavy rainfall, with the views of water cascading down and cutting through the hillside.
FAQs/Things to know before visiting Wessenden Head
1) Where is Wessenden Head Waterfall located?
Wessenden Head Waterfall is located in the Peak District National Park, near the village of Marsden in West Yorkshire, England.
2) What makes Wessenden Head Waterfall a hidden gem?
Wessenden Head Waterfall is considered a hidden gem due to its secluded location, pristine natural beauty, and the picturesque cascade of water as it tumbles down the rocky cliffs, offering visitors a serene and enchanting experience amidst the wilderness of the Peak District.
3) How do I get to Wessenden Head Waterfall?
Visitors can access Wessenden Head Waterfall by foot from the nearby village of Marsden. There are footpaths leading from Marsden into the surrounding countryside, including the Pennine Way and the Kirklees Way, which pass near Wessenden Head. The waterfall can be reached by following these footpaths and then taking a short detour off-trail to reach the waterfall.
Places to stay near Wessenden Head
Another waterfall which can be admired by hikers who are doing the Kinder Scout route. The Fairbrook Waterfall is a series of gorgeous cascades located on the lower slopes of Kinder Scout.
However it isn't the easiest to access, due to a bit of scrambling being required! You'll have to scramble across the valley sides in order to get to the Fairbrook Waterfall, but it's well worth it as per the photos.
Wild swimmers will be pleased to know there's also a selection of natural pools at Fairbrook Waterfall. For those that want to make the day off it, you can visit this as part of the Nether Red Brook to Kinder Downfall walk.
We hoped you enjoyed discovering the less known waterfalls which are scattered around the Peak District. We are confident that visiting some of these hidden gems will make your Peak District trip even more memorable!
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