Why Scaleber Force will be on Dales to-do lists after coronavirus crisis ends

One outcome of the current coronavirus pandemic - where people are now being advised to stay at home as much as possible - is likely to be an even greater appreciation of the delights of nature when we are able to enjoy in full once again.

After troubled times, nature can undoubtedly lift the spirits and perhaps there is nowhere more so that this is true that this hidden corner of the Yorkshire Dales.

Scaleber Force is an impressive 40ft waterfall which is situated in a deep wooded gorge above Settle off a single track road past Attermire over to Airton and is commonly agreed to be one of the most attractive and atmospheric waterfalls in the Yorkshire Dales.

Not only that, the spot’s tranquillity is added to by the fact that it is often overlooked by tourists who prioritise visiting better-known locations in the local area such as Janet’s Foss, Aysgarth Falls and Hardraw Scar in the Dales.

It’s hidden within Scaleber Wood, a Woodland Trust-managed site full of crags and gorges.

The falls flow into deep, crystal-clear pools of water and they sit in an elevated position above the town of Settle.

A spokesperson for the Woodland Trust offers this succinct description of the falls: “A real people magnet boasting a powerful mix of breathtaking sights and evocative sounds.”

Among those to celebrate its beauty down the years was Chris Jesty, an Ordnance Survey-trained cartographer and former taxi driver, who was tasked with revising a walking guide to the Yorkshire Dales created by celebrated Lake District author Alfred Wainwright that was originally published in the 1970s.

When Jesty was interviewed by this newspaper back in 2014 he said the work had given him a particular liking for Yorkshire waterfalls – not least Scaleber Force.

Others that got a special mention were Cautley Spout in the Howgills, and was especially taken by the famous Ingleton waterfalls walk.

Wainwright described his Lakeland guides as “love letters to the fells”, whereas Jesty admitted to being more pragmatic than romantic. “To be honest, I didn’t really think about the landscape. I just got on with the job.” Whatever your reason for a visit, there’s no doubt it is worth the trip.

Technical Details: Nikon D4 camera, Nikon 17-35mm lens,  2 seconds @ f11, ISO 50.