218: High Force, Low Force and Teesdale (North Pennines 2023)

NORTH PENNINES WALK FEATURING HIGH FORCE, LOW FORCE AND TEESDALE
"High Force, Low Force and Teesdale”
Filmed 4th September 2023
Post-production completed 6th October 2023
Filmed in the North Pennines in County Durham. Locations include Bowlees, Low Force, High Force, Bleabeck Force, Bracken Rigg, Dirt Pit and Teesdale.
Written, presented, researched, directed, camera and sound, edited and music by Patrick Leach.
Special thanks to Brian Conduit, John Brooks and Neil Coates for their information used in my research for this film.
Click here for a map showing the route of the walk: explore.osmaps.com/route/1846...
DISCLAIMER: Although I work hard to ensure all information is correct to the best of my knowledge, I am only featuring information I have found online and/or in books during my research when putting this film together, so I cannot guarantee that there are no mistakes or errors.
As with all the films I make, this is not actually intended to be an extensive guide to the area. This is a mini-movie of my personal journey along the walk, in which I often share some of my own personal stories.
If you are new to my channel, I strongly recommend reading the description under the “about” tab, which will provide a clearer understanding of what to expect in my films: / solitaryrambler
There is also a short “Introduction to the Solitary Rambler” video, which briefly explains what my films are all about: / solitaryrambler
Many thanks and I hope you enjoy watching!
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[@sylviarowley6668]

Wow! Wow! Wow! What a stunning walk Patrick, absolutely beautiful! Those waterfalls & the wide shallow, meandering river! Thank you for sharing. ❤xx

[@solitaryrambler]

So glad you liked this walk Sylvia as much as I enjoyed being there to film it. Thanks for watching and commenting 👍

[@michaeldenham9681]

Splendid weather for a walk. High Force never fails to impress; your film has made me itch to go back o the North Pennines some time, after a long absence from the area. Beautiful film, and your music is ideal for the landscape.

[@solitaryrambler]

I had the perfect week of weather, although a bit too hot perhaps, but sunshine all the way through. I really enjoyed the North Pennines, hope to return sometime. Thanks Michael for watching and for all your kind words 👍

[@frankfitzgerald5832]

Stunningly Beautiful Patrick....An Area We Don,t Know Very Well So Thank You For Taking Us With You...Quite Wonderful.....Regards Frank & Lee...

[@solitaryrambler]

My first visit to this area too,so it was exciting for me to discover whilst filming it. Thanks Frank and Lee for watching, all the best 👍

[@ffrancrogowski2192]

This is so much a wonderful area, Patrick. The Force waterfalls are an amazing sight with the power of the water gushing through the rocks on the High one. The Winch bridge looks real good to cross with the water flowing below. On some of the views on your film, there seems to be an abundance of farms dotted all over the landscape, so it must be a very good grazing area. You had the good weather that you wanted, and deservedly so for this most pleasant walk. Most enjoyable to watch Patrick, thank you.

[@solitaryrambler]

Glad you enjoyed it Ffranc. The waterfalls are what attracted me to visit the North Pennines in the first place. I loved that bridge. There were a lot of farms seen on this walk. The weather for the whole week I was there was just fantastic so I was very lucky. Thanks Ffranc for watching 👍

[@Greatoutdoorswalks2061]

Fantastic Place Love Walking up There Thank You Patrick Cheers

[@solitaryrambler]

It's a lovely area, exciting for me to discover for the first time. Thanks for watching 👍

[@daveydoo3173]

Beautiful walk, Simple and lovely.. At one with nature and fresh air 😁😁

[@solitaryrambler]

Many thanks, pleased you liked it 👍

[@ramblingracheltrailtales]

What an incredible day walk 😊 what a treat 🥰

[@solitaryrambler]

Yes it really was, thanks Rachel! 👍

[@russ3994]

Patrick forgot to mention High Falls that's a BIG WOW from us all of it absolutely fantastic !!!

[@SetForAdventures]

I could sit all day and watch waterfalls too 😊🙏🏼 What a wonderful walk this was Patrick on a stunning day too Thanks for bringing us along 🙏🏼 Best regards Simon 🤠👍

[@solitaryrambler]

Hi Simon, there's something magical about just watching waterfalls isn't there. Glad you liked the walk, certainly a stunning day. Thanks for watching and all the best 👍😀

[@paulbeachcroft3323]

Hi Patrick. Another fantastic walk and film. Neil Coates is really a ‘mine of absolutely useful info’ when it comes to walks in this brilliant part of the world. As previously stated, I’m definitely going to look towards staying around here during Christmas 2024. Cheers Paul

[@solitaryrambler]

Glad you enjoyed it Paul. Neil Coates is credited in the Pathfinder book I have covering the North Pennines for compiling the walks. Thanks for watching 👍

[@kathrynbrock1558]

Another beautiful walk. I wish I could have been there. The waterfalls are stunning . A great day . Thanks for sharing it.

[@solitaryrambler]

Thanks for watching Kathryn, it was indeed a beautiful walk to film 👍

[@russ3994]

Wow Patrick those waterfalls fantastic & winch bridge well amazing what a wonderful walk this is Patrick and the scenery !! North Pennines is the place to go then Fan-bleedin tastic !!! Thanks Patrick for that A. M. A.Z. I. N. G !!!

[@solitaryrambler]

Amazing waterfalls and Winch Bridge, the whole walk was fan-bleedin-tastic to film 😁 Thanks Russ for watching 👍

[@nickcooper1260]

Thanks for the great video, Patrick. all the best for the new year, a 366-day one this time, even more time fo enjoying the greatness of nature.

[@solitaryrambler]

Thanks for watching Nick, much appreciated. All the best to you 👍

[@christelbraune4530]

Hallo Patrick Na das war ja wieder ein wunderschöner Spaziergang und die Wasserfälle einfach herrlich anzusehen 🤩. Hast du super gemacht 👍👍. Ich freue mich auf den nächsten Spaziergang. Thank you Patrick ❤👍

[@solitaryrambler]

Good morning, many thanks for commenting and watching 👍

[@stephmcghie8732]

What a beautiful walk Patrick, the waterfalls were stunning, what a lovely treat! I could never get bored with such scenery thankyou for taking us along 😊your music fits so perfectly, have a great weekend.

[@solitaryrambler]

Glad you liked this walk Steph. I loved those waterfalls even though the water level of the Tees was very low during my visit. Many thanks for your kind words and for watching. Have a great weekend too 👍

[@chrisbentleywalkingandrambling]

Absolutely stunning Patrick. Those waterfalls sounded powerful. Just think what they are like in full spate. I'm glad they have thought of the walkers and provided those bridges. Mind you, I'm not sure as I qualify as one person or two. 🤔 I really like it when I'm on my own too. The tourists tend to keep to the attractions and then walk back rather than making a circular of a walk. Another beautiful walk and that Pennine music is beautiful too. Thank you for sharing, Patrick.

[@solitaryrambler]

Many thanks Chris. High Force was more of a trickle during my visit, but still impressive all the same. I certainly would have loved to have seen it in full spate though. It was quite weird how, once I left the Pennine Way to follow the route back to Bowlees, I saw no other walkers at all. Thanks Chris for all your kind words and for watching, all the best 👍

[@alanmarriott887]

Another fantastic video showing the beauty of our country can not wait for the next one 👍😊

[@solitaryrambler]

Glad you enjoyed it, many thanks for your kind comments and for watching 👍😊

[@chatticheswick4939]

Another nice walk. Thank you Patrick.

[@solitaryrambler]

Glad you enjoyed it, thanks for watching 👍

[@mikesaunders4775]

Thanks for another wonderful walk Patrick. I was lucky enough once to see High Force in full spate with the tees covering the whole rockface, the memory of this has never left me.

[@solitaryrambler]

Glad you enjoyed it Mike. The Tees was very low during my visit, so I would have loved to have seen High Force in full spate 👍

[@atrampinthehills.841]

The Tees is such a wonderful river...many highlights to be seen from it's banks....you sure had wonderful weather for your trip up north.

[@solitaryrambler]

I was very lucky with the weather for that whole week Steve, I sure enjoyed my walks along the Tees. Thanks for watching 👍

[@jamiestables4283]

Another fantastic walk Patrick. Awesome!

[@solitaryrambler]

Thanks Jamie 👍

[@Royalawg]

Great film, Patrick. Your love of Nature and of walking shines through. Water is somehow quite fascinating and the waterfalls were well worth the extended clips. I'm looking forward to next week's film too so have a great week.

[@solitaryrambler]

Thanks Angus, I think my enthusiasm showed here as it was also my first time to this area. It was great to capture those falls and certainly worth showing most of the footage I had shot. All the best 👍

[@mickbutler9407]

Wow what a fantastic video love all those waterfalls and the scenery was beautiful as well another one on my to do list thanks Patrick

[@solitaryrambler]

Thanks Mick, glad you enjoyed it 👍

[@shaunmckenna1923]

Hello Patrick , well that was fantastic love the water falls such a beautiful part of the world , that has to be one of your top 10 walks . Thank you .

[@solitaryrambler]

Many thanks Shaun, I would agree that this walk in itself will be hard to top. All the best 👍

[@williamclarke2020]

What a stunning place. I could listen to those waterfalls all day. The wooded areas reminds of home here in Canada. I never thought that would be in the UK. I said before that your Wye Valley/Symonds Yat videos were my favourite. Now, I don't know. Listen to the falls with ear buds and have a spiritual experience! Just breathtaking, Patrick. Cheers, Mate!

[@solitaryrambler]

Pleased you enjoyed it William. It sure is a stunning place and the waterfalls were amazing, even though the Tees was low during my visit. Many thanks for your comments and for watching 👍

[@richardchan9595]

A wonderful view from every angle. It's going to be hard to top this one, Patrick!😊

[@solitaryrambler]

Glad you enjoyed it Richard, it certainly will be hard to top! 👍

[@glennswalks7693]

Hi Patrick this was a fantastic walk, a lovely area, the last time I was up there was in the mid 90’s in early spring and the moorlands were covered in snow, the Waterfalls were fantastic too thanks for reminding me about Teesdale I must have a visit again one day. atb Patrick, it’s a 👍from me

[@solitaryrambler]

Morning Glenn, thanks for watching and commenting. Yes I really enjoyed this area whilst I was here, surprised I never went before. Those waterfalls are certainly to die for. Cheers Glenn and all the best 👍

[@johnwright8748]

Brilliant, Patrick. Brought back lots of memories of walks around the area, then a pint in the Bricklayers Arms, Mickleton...log fires, good beer! You're obviously enjoying yourself in Teesdale!

[@solitaryrambler]

Many thanks John for watching and commenting. I certainly did enjoy Teesdale during my visit! 👍

[@peterh8970]

Glad you had such a good week of weather for your break Patrick. Hopefully that means we can look forward to some more videos! Those waterfalls and views are wonderful as you said. Many thanks for sharing.

[@solitaryrambler]

I had a great week of weather when I was here in September. Glad you liked the waterfalls. Thanks Peter for watching 👍

[@Hewhowalks-fv5mq]

Thank you nice walk.

[@solitaryrambler]

Thank you too 👍

[@brijen28lan]

Hi Patrick.. Brilliant walk with our type of Scenery.. Thank you so much for this.. God bless you from Brian and Jenny Lancaster from Bradford West Yorkshire

[@solitaryrambler]

Glad you enjoyed it Brian and Jenny, many thanks as always for watching 👍

[@annacollier2936]

I have never seen anything as beautiful as those waterfalls! What a place to be, stunning. Great filming, loved the sounds of the waterfalls , time must surely stand still there. Thanks for bringing us along!

[@solitaryrambler]

Those waterfalls are what attracted me to visit the North Pennines. They were fab despite the water levels being low during my visit. Thanks for watching 👍

[@shanedallastaylor570]

well thanks Patrick for another delightful video.the falls at low force and high force looked amazing.and the scenery was delightful.also the music was amazing.cannot wait for another fantastic video.take care.👍👍❤️❤️

[@solitaryrambler]

Glad you enjoyed it Shane. I loved visiting Low Force and High Force as well as Bleabeck Force. Thanks for your kind words and for watching 👍

[@leeflattery7097]

Great video. Brilliant idea publishing these walks whilst we're all in the grip of this tedious winter. Especially here in 'arctic' east lancs :) Can't wait for the new year to crack open and we can all get our rambling boots on again. Excellent videos Patrick.

[@solitaryrambler]

Many thanks! Well the reason for publishing these walks now is because I had several others to publish which I had filmed earlier in 2023. Glad you enjoyed it, thanks for watching 👍

[@MrSteveMG]

Morning Patrick, Wow, you have treated us this week to some cracking scenery and wonderful weather too ! ..I almost felt sorry for Bleabeck Force on this walk, on any other walk it would have been the star of the show but it was certainly over-shadowed by High Force on this occasion. A fabulous episode to watch :o)

[@solitaryrambler]

Morning Steve, I felt treated myself visiting this lovely area last September, it was fab. I loved High Force despite the low water levels during my visit, but I equally enjoyed Low Force and Bleabeck Force. Thanks for watching 👍

[@steveball1959]

An absolutely fantastic film with gorgeous scenery, you were certainly lucky with the weather. In your last film I said I was a bit vague about the part of the Pennine Way path you used, but there are sections that are etched in the memory and the walk up past low force and high force is something I'll never forget.

[@solitaryrambler]

Many thanks for the kind words Steve, pleased you liked it. The Tees was low during my visit, so I would have loved to have seen the falls in full spate. However, they are still impressive and will be etched in my memory too now 👍

[@kenwright2652]

Another brilliant video and what a beautiful location. Definitely on my bucket list.

[@solitaryrambler]

Nice one Ken, many thanks for watching 👍

[@bettyteesdale9495]

Amother great video. Glad the weather was so nice for you.

[@solitaryrambler]

Many thanks for your kind words and for watching, the weather was superb all that week 👍

[@lancsway]

What a wonderful area this is Patrick, a long drive for us but I want to go. Nice waterfall shots and your music matched the drama of High Force really well. Much enjoyed.

[@solitaryrambler]

Glad you enjoyed it Steve, it certainly is a lovely area. It was nice for me to travel further away from home for once so discover it. Thanks for your kind words and for watching 👍

[@MrJud62]

some stunning scenery there pat.looking forward to spring,

[@solitaryrambler]

Cheers Ken, yes it was a beautiful area to explore 👍

[@user-ronteesdale]

Thanks Patrick for the videos of the Teesdale District. My surname Teesdale orginiated from that area and I have been there a couple of times.

[@solitaryrambler]

Glad you enjoyed them, thanks for watching 👍

[@CountrysideWalking]

What a lovely day for your walk and majestic waterfalls to see too Patrick. They looked dangerously deep drops in parts too. Nice to see the weather and yourself dressed in warmer climate than current winter. We were up the River Teesdale area last year too. The route you took looked fairly level too without too many steep climbs. Nice gentle sections to your music.

[@solitaryrambler]

Morning Shanita, this was the walk I was looking forward to the most. Certainly you wouldn't want to get too close to those falls as they are dangerous indeed. You'll know this area then, it sure is lovely isn't it. The route was about 9 miles, but no difficult climbs really. Thanks for your lovely comments on my music and for watching 👍

[@user-kw2bo5wp6o]

Thank you for uploading i love your channel keep up the good work bless my star 🌟

[@solitaryrambler]

Glad you enjoy it, thanks for watching 👍

[@Truthbewithyou]

Awesome mate. Thank you 🙏🏼

[@solitaryrambler]

My pleasure! 👍

[@claireEt9055]

There’s something very peaceful about listening to waterfalls isn’t there? Thanks for sharing your walk with us 👍🏻

[@solitaryrambler]

Indeed there is Claire. Thanks for watching, glad you enjoyed it 👍

[@peakyplodders]

Nice one Patrick 👍. Another one for the list 👌

[@solitaryrambler]

Many thanks Gavin, all the best 👍

[@endurance-adventures]

Exceptional video Patrick, High Force in particular is stunning but it’s all nice round there, you were lucky with the weather too!

[@solitaryrambler]

Thanks Steph. I had a fab week weatherwise. Would have loved to have seen High Force in full spate, but it was still impressive during my visit 👍

[@davidkeel]

Really good film Patrick . I do enjoy those dramatic moments were we see your face in awe before we see the great thing that you are looking at 10:06 . That Bleabeck Waterfall was something else too wasn't it ? ... I think it was my favourite with that lovely water course. Great music as well. ! best wishes for the New Year. David.

[@solitaryrambler]

Many thanks for your kind words and for watching David, pleased you enjoyed it. I had to capture a shot of me looking at High Force, although the water levels were low during my visit. Bleabeck Force was awesome too. All the best for the New Year to you too 👍

[@davidkeel]

@@solitaryrambler Thanks Patrick. yes I remember that on the Rapids Of Redmire video too.. It adds to the whole feel of the stupendous views Anyway bye for now.

[@kellyshaw7271]

I thought low force was brilliant then it was outdone by high force. It blew me away. Absolutely wonderful. I wouldn't like to fall in either though. September was quite nice weather wise so perfect. It did look quite a walk though in the heat. The views across the fields and the hills was beautiful. I've never seen this part of the pennines before and I'm really impressed. Loved the tree shot on the slope and the accompanying music matched the setting perfectly. Hope you enjoyed your time there and thanks for taking us along. Cheers Patrick

[@solitaryrambler]

Apart from perhaps being a bit too hot for walking, I had the most perfect weather the whole week I was here. I loved the waterfalls even though the level of the River Tees was low during my visit. I really enjoyed exploring the North Pennines that week, lovely countryside indeed. Thanks Kelly for your kind words and for watching. All the best 👍

[@richardcollinson659]

Hi Patrick, good to see you in my neck of the woods. Wonderful part of the world to come from. Have done this walk many times at all times of the year, never tire of it. Glad you are ejoying Teesdale so far, looking forward to seeing where else you get to on your trip this year, having met you last year in Ambleside last year.

[@solitaryrambler]

Morning Richard, you certainly live in a wonderful part of the UK. I loved Teesdale during my visit there last September. Many thanks for watching and commenting 👍

[@alisonmoxon7519]

Great vid Patrick. Lovely .. nice change for you. .. x

[@solitaryrambler]

Thanks so much Ali, glad you enjoyed it 👍

[@Isithaunted666]

Beautiful walk. If you already haven't i'd suggest a book called Highways and Byways in Derbyshire by J B Firth

[@solitaryrambler]

Nice one, thanks for watching 👍

[@Ea-Nasir_Copper_Co]

2:35 What gorgeous scenery! Is the water truly brown there, or is it simply amplifying the colour of the rocks underneath?

[@solitaryrambler]

Thanks for watching. No idea I'm afraid about the water colour 👍

[@williammoore9794]

​As a child I thought it was beer... Sadly I believe it's peat particles washed down from the fells.

[@Ea-Nasir_Copper_Co]

@@williammoore9794 Oh, interesting! I asked because I live near a river that's naturally so brown and murky you can't see beneath the surface.

[@glenturner2312]

Great video, we've been to High Force, but only visited the falls. This looks a great walk, can I ask where you parked? Cheers

[@solitaryrambler]

Many thanks for watching. I parked at Bowlees visitor centre car park 👍

[@glenturner2312]

@solitaryrambler thanks for that. We parked at the High Force Hotel adjacent to the falls, and got a parking penalty. Beware there's some really dodgy parking practices going on there.

[@russ3994]

Sorry Patrick me again correction High Force !! 🤣😛

[@solitaryrambler]

High Force sure was a big wow 👍😀