Galleny Force & Stonethwaite Valley
Tucked into the side valley of Stonethwaite Beck, Galleny Force — locally known as the Fairy Glen — is a cascade of clear water tumbling through mossy, fern-draped gorge that looks like it was designed for a fairy tale. It's a short walk from the hamlet of Stonethwaite and remains blissfully under the radar compared to Borrowdale's better-known sights.
Through the Fairy Glen
The walk to Galleny Force begins in the tiny hamlet of Stonethwaite, one of the four main Borrowdale hamlets alongside Grange, Rosthwaite and Seatoller, and follows Stonethwaite Beck through woodland before the gorge tightens and the waterfall appears. The combination of clear plunge pools, overhanging mossy rocks and dappled light through the tree canopy creates an atmosphere that is genuinely magical — and the water is cold enough to take your breath away.
The gorge is part of Borrowdale's celebrated temperate rainforest — ancient Atlantic oakwood that thrives in the valley's exceptional rainfall and humidity. This is one of Britain's rarest habitats, and the lichen and liverwort-draped boulders along the beck are evidence of just how clean and moist the air here really is.
Wild Swimming & Onward Walks
The pools below Galleny Force are a popular wild swimming spot for those willing to brave the temperature — there are no scary drops, just clear, peaty water and a sense of complete seclusion. The valley beyond the falls opens into the high Langstrath, one of Borrowdale's most dramatic and least-visited side valleys, making Galleny Force a natural starting point for a longer day on the fells.
From Stonethwaite it is also possible to walk south to Greenup Edge and descend to Grasmere, one of the great cross-fell routes in the central Lakes. Pack waterproofs regardless of the forecast — the valley earns its rainfall reputation.
Galleny Force & Stonethwaite Valley on video
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