High Force

High Force is a waterfall on the River Tees in County Durham, England, notable for a single main drop of roughly 21 metres (about 70 feet) where the river falls over a hard Whin Sill rock band. It is one of the largest single-drop waterfalls in England and sits within a scenic gorge.

The site offers close viewpoints on both sides of the river with short footpaths and a car park nearby; photographers and walkers use the trails to access different perspectives of the falls. Adjacent moorland and river valley offer walking routes of varying lengths along the Tees.

The waterfall owes its form to differential erosion of the Whin Sill dolerite and surrounding softer rocks; the gorge and falls have been shaped over thousands of years by river action. The area has long been a destination for local tourism and walking.

High Force is located in Upper Teesdale, a rural valley in northern England, near the village of Middleton-in-Teesdale and within reach of County Durham towns; the site is accessed by local roads from the surrounding region.

• Height and geology: The waterfall has a vertical drop of approximately 21 metres (about 70 feet) and is formed where the River Tees flows over the hard Whin Sill rock band.
• Viewing and access: Access is from nearby car parks with short walks to several viewing points on both banks; winter and early spring can be wetter and more dramatic for flows.

What to See #

• High Force waterfall: A single-drop waterfall where the River Tees plunges about 21 metres over the Whin Sill dolerite escarpment, creating a deep plunge pool and spray-filled gorge.