Walking around Malham

The countryside around Malham is beautiful, there is no other word for it. We've included directions for a basic circular walk here.

More detailed information on walks around Malham can be found at the National Park Centre. They have a leaflet there called Malham Landscape Trail, which is essentially this walk, but in the reverse direction. The leaflet is excellent, and includes detailed map, directions, drawings, information and sketches of items of historical and geological interest.

There is also a leaflet called Malham Village Walk, which shows a nice short (1 hour) circular walk around the village itself, complete with historical details.

The Malhamdale Brochure also has details of five Walks, Walk 1 Malham Landscape Spectacular 7.125kms (4.5 miles), Walk 2 Malham Cove, Dry Valley, Malham Tarn and Pikedaw 12.25kms (7.6 miles), Walk 3 Janets Foss, Weets Top, Calton, Airton and Hanlith 13 kms (8 miles), Walk 4 Malham, Kirkby Malham, Airton, Hanlith 9 kms (5.6 miles), Walk 5 Malham, Hanlith, Kirkby Malham, Accraplatts, Malham 5.9 kms (3.6 miles).

This walk takes in Malham Cove, Gordale Scar and Janet's Foss (approx 3 hours)

Starting from the National Park Centre car park, turn left into the village, past the Buck Inn, then take the left hand road signposted Malham Tarn. Continue through the village passing Townhead Barn on your right (have a look inside this typical dales barn, National Trust owned and open to the public) continue up Cove Road towards Malham Cove and turn right into the field. Follow The Pennine Way signpost, this leads you towards the Cove and then right up the steps to the top of the Cove. Admire excellent views across Malhamdale. Carefully go aross the Limestone Pavement, and go over the stile, up the slope bearing right, following posts with green dots on. Straight on (ignore Pennine Way sign), and cross stiles over the road and follow signpost for Gordale Scar. Then down hill and left onto the road, (Stop for brew at Tea Van!) and continue over Gordale Bridge, turn left again through gate, to follow path through campsite to Gordale Scar itself. Admire geology. Turn around, retrace steps back to the road, back over the bridge, and down road until you reach footpath sign on left saying Riverside Path Malham. This takes you past Janet's Foss waterfall, along the riverbank through the wood, then through fields over two stiles to rejoin The Pennine Way, turning right to go back towards Malham village and the starting point.

Links to Malham Walks

• The Walking Englishman, Malham Cove, Malham Tarn and Gordale Scar Walk
• The Walking Englishman, Mastiles Lane and Malham Tarn Walk
• Outdoor Magic Malham Walk
• YDNP circular walk, Janet's Foss, Malham Cove, Gordale Scar, Malham Tarn
• Alternative leisurely walk through Limestone Country, Street Gate, Sink Hole, Dry Valley, Malham Cove, Janet's Foss, Gordale Scar, Malham Tarn and lots of interesting Geology
• Skipton Web Crag Faces guided Walk with pictures
• Walking Britain Gordale Scar, Malham Cove