Scale Force Waterfall
Scale Force is the tallest waterfall in the Lake District, with a total drop of around 52m. It sits on Scale Beck, tucked into a deep, narrow gorge on the northern side of Red Pike, just south of Crummock Water. The walk in starts from Buttermere village and follows the lake shore path along Crummock Water before turning uphill toward the gorge. It is roughly 4 km each way, mostly flat until the final climb. The lower falls are visible from a small footbridge partway up the gorge, but the real payoff is the upper section, where the main cascade drops through a tight, moss covered chasm. The gorge walls are steep enough that direct sunlight rarely reaches the bottom, which keeps the moss and ferns lush year round and gives the whole scene a rich, saturated green tone. That low light works in your favour for long exposures, since you will not be fighting harsh contrasts. After a rain, the waterfall's volume picks up considerably making it a more dynamic shooting location. In drier conditions the falls narrow to a thin ribbon, but the gorge itself is still photogenic. Getting above the footbridge to the upper falls requires some scrambling over wet rock, so a tripod with good footing and waterproof boots are worth bringing. Wide angle lenses work well to capture the height of the gorge walls, and the tight space means you can easily fill the frame. The gorge faces roughly north, so the weather matters more than the time of day. Overcast skies give the most even light and bring out the rich greens. (Buttermere, Cumbria, England)
