No camping for us at the weekend, a dodgy forecast had us doing day walks. We had a trip out to County Durham, only an hour and ten minute drive away to see a few waterfalls. We parked at Bowlees Visitor Centre and made a £5 card donation for parking. First stop was Summerhill Force and Gibson's Cave north of the Visitor Centre.
Falls on Bow Lee Beck
Summerhill Force and Gibson's Cave
Legend has it that a lovable rogue whose surname was Gibson hid behind the waterfall to escape police constables from Barnard Castle. I don't know what crimes he committed or if he was caught!
We walked back passed the visitor centre, across the road, through a field where a little girl was holding the gate open for us and a group of walkers in front of us. We thanked her and told her she was doing a grand job. Once over the Wynch Bridge we were on the Pennine Way. The group of walkers were at the first viewpoint so we walked by them, we would have a look on the way back.
This is a side on view of Low Force and I think it is the best view of it
We chatted to a walker doing the Pennine Way as we walked toward High Force. He was carrying a huge pack and we were amazed at his speed, he overtook us easily even though we only had day packs! We saw him again at High Force, he was having a break enjoying the view. Nice fellow he was, I wonder where he is now.
High Force
We carried on westward next to the river trying to find some shelter from the wind for some lunch. We found some behind a rocky outcrop near Bleabeck Force. We didn't see this waterfall because we retraced our steps after lunch after rain started to fall. It didn't last long however.
Falls on the River Tees just above the main Low Force Fall
View from the Wynch Bridge viewpoint
We managed to get a shot from the viewpoint near the Wynch Bridge despite someone taking a photo of someone jumping from it. They must have missed the signs saying not to jump from the bridge because of dangerous currents.
Route map
Our walk was Bowlees - Summerhill Force - Bowlees - Low Force - High Force - near Bleackbeck Force - High Force - Low Force - Bowlees. 5.4 miles and 204m ascent. Lovely to go back to see these waterfalls, it must be 15 or 20 years since I was last here.