Best waterfalls around Great Hucklow are found within the surrounding Peak District National Park, offering a variety of natural features. This region is characterized by its picturesque landscapes, including limestone clefts, moorland, and wooded areas. The area provides diverse natural attractions, from dramatic plunges to serene cascades. Great Hucklow serves as a base for exploring these natural water features and the wider national park.
Last updated: June 28, 2026
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This waterfall is well hidden in a cop of trees. But it is best visited during a wet spell as if it has been dry you well be met with a damp cliff wall.
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Nice area to stop by, have a snack and enjoy the peaceful noise of a running stream. Don't stop if you need to pee haha! :)
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The mill pond itself is not particularly exciting, but it tells a story of an industrial history now hidden in the trees and overgrowth that surrounds it. You can find out more about it on this website (https://www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/learning-about/archaeology/greens-mill) - There is a QR for this website located on the path close to the mill pond.
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Very little to see and very overgrown with Brambles & Ferns, but enough to appreciate the history of what went on here in the past.
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Pretty waterfall. Access down to the foot of it is unsuitable for anyone with mobility issues.
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The Waterfall Swallet is a virtually unknown gem along the side of unassuming road, between the small settlements of Foolow and Eyam. It's easy to simply drive past, as the waterfall is largely hidden from view by a small copse of trees. Nestled into a charming cleft of limestone, the Waterfall Swallet, which means 'a place where water breaks in on miners' is privately owned - and therefore the plunging water should be viewed from the roadside. In the summer it's possible to access the bottom of the falls through the surrounding wilderness, but the rocky area which surrounds the site is potentially dangerous in colder and wetter months.
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Monsal Dale Weir is a classic picturesque Peak District location. Watch water tumble down the different tiers into a serene rocky pool below.
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Sometimes there are cattle in this part of the walk, so maybe dogs on leads if they're a bit excitable
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For a family-friendly experience, consider Monsal Dale Weir, which offers delightful sights and photo opportunities, and is a great spot for a break. Another option is the Small Reservoir and Waterfall, a lovely little reservoir with a peaceful waterfall/outlet, perfect for a lunch stop. Padley Gorge also features a series of small, scenic waterfalls and is ideal for a family outing, especially in autumn.
Yes, Green's Mill Ruins and Waterfall offers an atmospheric wooded setting with historical remnants of an old paper mill. You can observe a mill pond and evidence of ruined stonework from a site that was in use from the early 1800s until 1859, and was previously a lead smelt mill. Lumsdale Falls also features breathtaking waterfalls tumbling through ancient woodland past ruined mills.
For a more tranquil experience, Middle Black Clough Waterfall is considered a hidden gem. It's tucked away off the Trans Pennine Trail and requires a bit of a rocky scramble to reach, meaning it's generally less busy than other spots. Waterfall Swallet is also a virtually unknown gem, largely hidden from view, offering a sense of discovery due to its secluded nature.
If you're looking for a challenge, Crowden Clough Scramble and Waterfalls involves a Grade I scramble up onto the Kinder plateau. Care should be taken, and it's often more enjoyable in drier conditions. The walk to Kinder Downfall from villages like Edale or Hayfield also offers stunning views over scenic countryside and moorland, attracting hikers exploring Kinder Scout and the Pennine Way.
Yes, Three Shires Head is a popular spot for wild swimming, especially in summer when the small pools are ideal for cooling off. The Small Reservoir and Waterfall is also known as a wild swimming spot.
The waterfalls can be enjoyed year-round, but each season offers a different experience. Autumn is particularly enchanting for Padley Gorge, when the leaves change color, creating a fairytale-like atmosphere. During high winds, Kinder Downfall offers a unique spectacle where water blows back on itself, creating a visible 'steam cloud'. In exceptionally cold weather, Kinder Downfall has also been known to freeze solid. For scrambles like Crowden Clough, drier conditions in summer are often more enjoyable.
Yes, Kinder Downfall, the tallest waterfall in the Peak District, is known for its unique characteristic where strong winds can blow the water back up, creating a 'steam cloud'. Three Shires Head is unique as it marks the meeting point of three counties: Derbyshire, Staffordshire, and Cheshire, featuring double waterfalls and picturesque packhorse bridges. Waterfall Swallet is nestled in a charming limestone cleft, largely hidden by trees.
The area around Great Hucklow offers various outdoor activities. You can find numerous hiking trails, including easy options like the Grindlow & Foolow loop, or more challenging routes leading to waterfalls like Kinder Downfall. For mountain biking, explore trails such as the 'Bridleway with Dry Stone Walls' loop. Running enthusiasts can find routes like the 'Tideswell Dale loop'. You can find more details on these activities and routes in the easy hikes, MTB trails, and running trails guides around Great Hucklow.
Visitors appreciate the diverse natural attractions, from dramatic plunges to serene cascades and historical mill sites. The sense of discovery offered by secluded spots like Waterfall Swallet, the picturesque scenery of Three Shires Head, and the unique natural phenomena at Kinder Downfall are highly valued. The atmospheric settings, like the wooded area around Green's Mill Ruins, also contribute to a memorable experience.
Many waterfalls in the area offer excellent photographic opportunities. Monsal Dale Weir is a great spot for photos. Three Shires Head, with its double waterfalls and packhorse bridges, is a popular location for photographers, especially in good weather. Padley Gorge is particularly enchanting in autumn, with its cascades and moss-covered trees set against changing leaf colors, creating a fairytale-like atmosphere.
Waterfall Swallet is largely hidden from view by a small copse of trees and is privately owned, so the plunging water should be viewed from the roadside. While access to the bottom of the falls is possible in summer through the surrounding wilderness, the rocky area can be dangerous in colder, wetter months, and access down to the foot of it is unsuitable for anyone with mobility issues.
Kinder Downfall is the tallest waterfall in the Peak District, plunging an impressive 30 meters from the Kinder Scout plateau. It's famous for a unique characteristic: during high winds, the water often blows back on itself, creating a visible 'steam cloud' that can be seen from miles away. It has also been known to freeze solid in exceptionally cold weather, offering a dramatic winter spectacle.


Happy to travel a little further afield? Then browse these guides for the best waterfalls around Great Hucklow: