My initial plan had been to walk along the Pennine Way from Low Force to High Force, unfortunately when I crossed the Wynch Bridge at Low Force I found the path has been closed until the summer to urgent repair work to be carried out. The route I followed above used the two alternative tracks that were shown as diversions on the notice board, even though I still got to see the waterfalls as planned this was a much inferior route to the one along the river.

Tim was as usual eager to be off and walking

This is the first set of waterfalls in Bowlees Beck that you come to after leaving the car park, its is a lovely double cascade which for some reason doesn't seemed to be named on any of the maps

As you approach Summerhill Force through the woods you are treated to a series of small cascades in the stream

Summerhill Force and Gibson's Cave (the dark area, to the right of the waterfalls)

Summerhill Force

From the Summerhill Force I headed back down to the car park, passing the Bowlees Visitor Centre, on my way to Low Force

The woods around Bowlees were full of snowdrops today

The river Tees at Low Force

Low Force from the Wynch Bridge

Another walker checking out the footpath closure notice at Low Force

Looking back across the fields to Low Force at I walked towards Holwick Lodge

From the lodge I followed this lane which would take me around the closed footpath and to High Force

Back on the Pennine Way, you can just make out the other end of the closed footpath beside the bridge

High Force, even when the water level is low, like today it's still a magnificent sight!

Heading up river from High Force towards my fourth waterfall of the day, there was still some snow left on Noon Hill

Bleabeck Force, my fourth but not last waterfall of the day!

On the way back down river from High Force the skyline is dominated by 'Coldberry Gutter', the notch in the picture above, this is remnants of the old lead mining industry in the area, these 'hushes' were produced when the miners blow up dams in the moorland above and as the water flooded down the hillside it stripped away the soil and rock to expose the veins of lead that they could mine.

My normal route back to Bowlees would have been along the Pennine Way, however, since this was closed today I crossed over onto the north side of the river, instead of going directly back to the car I made a little detour to visit High Force for a second time today.

The first view of High Force as you approach through High Force Woods, on the northern side of the river

This is probably the best view you can get of High Force, however, you do have to pay for the privilege as the path crosses private land owned by Raby Estates, I don't normally visit this viewpoint because of that, but since its been about 12 years since I last was here think the £3-50 entry fee was worth it, but it could be another 12 years before I return!

A closer view of the waterfall, the people standing on the top give you some sense of scale.

On the way back to Bowlees I passed through the small hamlet of 'Dirt Pit' I love the name but I'm not sure if such a lovely spot deserves such a name as that?