Introduction
Some waterfalls are easy to find. Search for them online, put the postcode into Google Maps and you’re on your way.
Others aren’t quite so simple.
Some of my favourite waterfall discoveries have come from looking at maps, searching social media or simply spotting a waterfall marked on a map that I’d never heard of before. I’ve recently started using AI to help me find waterfalls too, although I always do my own research afterwards.
Here are some of the ways I find waterfalls and the things I recommend checking before you head out.
Google Maps
Google Maps is usually one of the first places I look when I’m searching for waterfalls.
You can search for waterfalls in a particular area and see what comes up, but I also like looking around the surrounding area rather than just searching for the obvious waterfalls.
Google Maps can be useful for finding parking, checking roads and getting an idea of where a waterfall is in relation to nearby villages and other attractions.
However, I don’t assume that everything will be marked on Google Maps. A waterfall not appearing on Google Maps doesn’t necessarily mean there isn’t one there.
That’s where some of the other methods come in.
OS Maps
OS Maps is one of my favourite tools for finding smaller waterfalls, particularly when I’m exploring an area where I think there could be more to discover.
It’s particularly useful when you’re looking around rivers and other watercourses, as waterfalls can be marked on the map even when they aren’t particularly well known.
This is where you can sometimes find waterfalls that aren’t showing up on Google Maps or the usual search engines, which can add a little more adventure to your trips.
I also use OS Maps to look at the paths around a waterfall and get a better idea of the surrounding area.
If you’re heading out to explore waterfalls, I’d recommend having a look at what’s around your planned destination rather than only searching for the waterfall itself. You might find something else nearby that you’ve never heard of.
Facebook Groups
Facebook groups can be a really useful source of local knowledge.
I’ll often search for walking groups, local groups or groups relating to a particular area when I’m looking for waterfalls.
People who regularly explore an area may know about waterfalls that aren’t particularly well documented online, or they may have information about access and current conditions that you wouldn’t find in an older article.
Just remember to check when something was posted. Information about parking, paths and access can change, so an old post isn’t necessarily a reliable indication of what you’ll find today.
Instagram is another good place to discover waterfalls.
You can search for waterfall names, locations and hashtags, and sometimes you’ll come across photographs of waterfalls that you’ve never heard of.
If I find one that looks interesting, I’ll then do some more research to work out exactly where it is and how accessible it is.
I wouldn’t use a photograph on its own to judge how easy a waterfall is to reach. A photograph can make somewhere look much more accessible than it actually is, so always look into the route before setting off.
TikTok
TikTok can be particularly useful for discovering waterfalls because you’re often seeing short videos rather than just photographs.
A video can give you a better idea of the surrounding area, the terrain and what the waterfall actually looks like when someone is there.
I’ve found that social media can sometimes lead me to waterfalls that I wouldn’t have found through a normal Google search.
As with everything else, though, I use it as a starting point rather than assuming that everything in a video is accurate or that the route shown is necessarily suitable for everyone.
YouTube
YouTube is particularly useful when I want to see more of the walk rather than just the waterfall itself.
Walking videos can give you a much better idea of what the route is actually like, including the terrain, steep sections, paths and how easy it is to follow.
They can also give you a good idea of what the waterfall looks like from different viewpoints.
If I’m planning a visit somewhere I’m unfamiliar with, watching somebody else walk the route can be a really useful part of my research.
Again, check when the video was made, as things can change over time.
Asking AI
I’ve recently started using AI when I’m looking for waterfalls too.
It can be a useful starting point, particularly if I’m trying to find waterfalls in an area I haven’t explored before or looking for ideas that I might not have thought of myself.
However, I don’t rely on AI to give me the final answer.
AI can sometimes guess, mix up different waterfalls or give you information that sounds convincing but isn’t actually correct. I’ve found that it’s important to treat what it tells you as a starting point and then do your own follow-up research.
I’ll check the information against maps, websites, photographs, videos and other sources before relying on it.
Cross-check What You Find
When I find a waterfall I want to visit, I don’t usually rely on just one source of information.
I’ll often use several of the methods above to build up a better picture of where it is, how to get there and what to expect.
For example, I might discover a waterfall through Instagram, check its location on Google Maps, look at the surrounding paths on OS Maps and then search YouTube for videos of the walk.
If something doesn’t seem to match between different sources, I’ll do some more research rather than simply assuming one of them is right.
This is particularly important for lesser-known waterfalls where there might only be a small amount of information available online.
Once you’ve decided where you’re going, don’t forget to prepare for the walk. My What to Pack for a Waterfall Walk guide covers the kit I tend to take with me.
Don’t Assume Every Waterfall is Easy to Access
Finding a waterfall online doesn’t necessarily mean you can simply turn up and walk straight to it.
Some waterfalls are reached by well-established paths, while others may involve steep or difficult terrain, private land or no obvious public access.
Just because somebody has posted a photograph of a waterfall doesn’t mean you should follow their route to get there.
Always check that you have an appropriate and legitimate route before setting off, and take the conditions on the day into account.
Check Social Media Before You Visit
I also like to check social media again shortly before I’m due to visit a waterfall, even if I’ve already done all my research.
This can be a really useful way of finding out about recent changes that might not yet be reflected elsewhere.
For example, after heavy rain or bad weather, people may post about paths being blocked, fallen trees, flooding or access being temporarily closed.
It’s not something I’d rely on as my only source of information, but a recent post or video from someone who has visited the area can sometimes tell you something that an older guide or map doesn’t.
Use The UK Waterfalls Guide
I’m continuing to build The UK Waterfalls Guide into a database of waterfalls across the UK, so it’s always worth checking here when you’re planning a trip.
You might find that I’ve already covered the waterfall you’re looking for, or you can browse the guides for inspiration and discover somewhere new to visit.
Once you’ve found a waterfall you’d like to visit, How to Use the Waterfall Guides explains what each section means and how to quickly work out whether the route is right for you.
I’m always adding more waterfalls to the site, so if there’s a particular waterfall you’d like me to cover that isn’t here yet, or you’d like me to explore waterfalls in a particular area, get in touch using the contact form.
Your suggestions can also help me discover waterfalls that I might not have come across myself.
Keep Exploring
One of the things I enjoy most about finding waterfalls is that you don’t always know what you’re going to discover.
The obvious waterfalls are usually fairly easy to find, but using maps, local knowledge and social media can lead you towards smaller or lesser-known waterfalls that you might otherwise never have heard of.
So don’t just search for the biggest or most popular waterfall in an area. Have a look around, explore the maps and see what else you can find.
You might just discover your next favourite waterfall.
