Aira Force and Ullswater Viewpoints
Cumbria
Aira Force is the 65-foot waterfall that tumbles through ancient oak and beech woodland above the northern shore of Ullswater. The National Trust trails link the waterfall to Gowbarrow Park, with its 481m top and sweeping views down the length of Ullswater to the Helvellyn skyline. The walk is dog friendly through and through, with three pawprints on the Trust's own rating, water bowls in the car park, and a welcome at the tearoom.
Park at the main Aira Force NT car park on the A592 (free for members, charge otherwise) or at Park Brow or High Cascades car parks along the road. The site is grazed by sheep and has ground-nesting birds in the parkland above the falls, so dogs must be on a lead throughout. The waymarked routes range from half a mile to two miles with optional climbs up Gowbarrow for bigger views, on woodland steps, compacted path and open hill track. There is a dog friendly tearoom, a new visitor area with water bowls, and public toilets at the main car park.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 5.0 km (3.1 miles)
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Duration
- 2 hr
- Walk Type
- Waterfall, Woodland, Lake
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- None
- Livestock Risk
- High
- Facilities
- Dog friendly tearoom, shop, visitor area with dog water bowls, and public toilets at the main car park.
- Parking
- NT pay and display car park at Aira Force; free for members, fills before 11am on busy days.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Aira Force and Ullswater Viewpoints, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
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What’s Nearby?
Side Farm Campsite
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A dog friendly campsite on the shores of Ullswater with direct lake access and trails including Helvellyn and Glenridding, with dogs allowed everywhere on site.
Walk2.6 mi awayGrisedale Tarn and Helvellyn from Patterdale
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A long, wild Helvellyn day via the secret valley of Grisedale, a serious dog friendly mountain outing for fit hounds and owners.
Walk2.7 mi awayUllswater Lakeshore: Howtown to Patterdale
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The most beautiful lakeshore walk in England, a gentle point to point along Ullswater made for dog friendly wanderers.
4.3 mi awayWaterside House Campsite
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A family-run, dog friendly lakeside campsite on Ullswater with private shoreline access, perfect for dogs who love to swim and paddle.
Walk4.4 mi awayHigh Street from Hartsop
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A big, quiet fell day along the Romans' ridge road, a serious dog friendly hill walk for owners with lead-trained mountain dogs.
4.5 mi awaySykeside Camping Park
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A dog friendly walker's paradise near Brothers Water with dogs welcome throughout the campsite, shop, bar and on-site pub (The Brotherswater Inn).