This has to be one on the classic all year runs in the UK. This section may be short but can be ran at most times times of the year.

The get in is at the High Force Hotel where there is ample parking. A small fee will get you parking and access to the water. The river can be reached by walking a few yards east from the hotel where a footpath leads you down the valley to a large grassed area some two hundred yards down stream of high force itself.

From here the river bimbles down through some grade II/III rapids before reaching Salmon Leap (aka Dog Leg) falls. In each case the line is easy to work out. If needed a path runs down the whole length of the run (river right) which is great for inspection or another sneaky go of the last rapid!

Salmon Leap often causes a few problems. If you are unfamiliar with Salmon Leap inspection/rescue cover can be done river left or right (as shown in the image). A small eddy can be found just upstream of the rapid on the river left. The correct line is easy to spot. For larger groups it is also possible to land river right.

A succession of smaller rapids/falls leads you onto Low Force, which is infact a two stage fall.

The first stage is a horseshoe fall and looks deceptively easy but holds a potentially nasty stopper. At medium to high levels the water runs over rocks river right, at this level the fall is best avoid by either portaging or running over the rock far river right.

Quite a few paddlers have been recirculated here in medium to high water levels – you have been warned. It is very difficult to either paddle or swim out of.

Just below this first stage the river forms a bowel and splits to flow over the largest 2nd fall.

Your best bet at all water levels is river right. The line is uncomplicated and the drop pool deep. The only danger at medium to high levels is being pushed towards the rock wall river right.

Running the falls river left has been done but is both complex and dangerous unless the water is at the right level.

The pool also provides easy rescue if needed, either from boat or the bank. Just after the fall lies Wynch bridge (one of the oldest if not the oldest metal suspension bridges in the world) below here is a small angled rapid followed by flat water and grade II rapids until you reach the village of Middleton. Unless in medium to high water this stretch doesn’t hold much interest.

You can land one either bank above Wynch bridge and head north back to the main road. On the road is a small village (Bowlees) and a lay by capable of accepting a few cars. It is also only a mile or so back to the hotel if you are feeling fit!