East Gill Force

East Gill Force is a small waterfall in Swaledale, inside the Yorkshire Dales National Park in North Yorkshire, England. It lies roughly 300 m east of the hamlet of Keld, where East Gill beck drops towards the River Swale. It is one of the easier falls to reach in upper Swaledale, so it draws long-distance walkers, families and picnickers alike.

Where is East Gill Force?

The falls sit at about 54.406 N, 2.162 W (grid reference NY896012), just below East Gill Bridge and shortly before the beck joins the Swale. Two famous trails cross here: the Pennine Way, running north to south, and the Coast to Coast Walk, running east to west.

What will you see?

The water comes down in two parts. Wikipedia gives the upper drop as about 4.5 m (15 ft). Below it, the beck steps down a run of low cascades, around 3 m in total, as it meets the Swale. Guidebooks quote slightly different heights, so treat the figures as approximate. There is a pleasant spot for a picnic by the bridge, and the nearby road means you do not need to walk far to see the whole fall.

How do you get there from Keld?

From Keld it is a short stroll downhill to the river and across the Swale on the Pennine Way. East Gill Force is usually the first stop on circuits of the local waterfalls:

• a short, easy loop from Keld of about 4 km (1–2 hours) that also takes in Kisdon Force, Currack Force and Catrake Force,
• the slightly longer Keld Waterfalls Walk, about 5 km, taking 1–1.5 hours,
• a loop from Muker linking East Gill Force with Kisdon Force, mostly on level ground.

Of these, the approach to Kisdon Force is the demanding part, with a narrow, uneven path. East Gill Force asks the least effort.

When should you visit?

The beck looks best after rain and in spring or autumn, when it carries plenty of water. Summer flows are gentler, but dry weather means an easier walk and a longer picnic. Rocks by the water get slippery after rain, so wear sturdy footwear.

Frequently asked questions

Is East Gill Force suitable for children? Yes. The walk is short and the falls can be seen from around the bridge, which makes it a popular family stop.

How long should you allow? Fifteen to thirty minutes for the fall itself. A full circuit of the Keld waterfalls takes one to two hours.

Is it the same waterfall as Kisdon Force or Catrake Force? No. These are separate falls nearby. East Gill Force is where East Gill meets the Swale, while the others are on the Swale itself.

Is there an entry fee? None is listed. The falls are beside public paths within the national park.