Malham Cove, Gordale Scar and Janet’s Foss
This past Saturday, we had a really lovely circular walk from Malham, up to Malham Cove, across the Malham Rakes, ending with a woodland stretch past Janet’s Foss, a lovely waterfall and pool. We also decided to take a brief detour (200ish meters) to Gordale Scar, which was definitely worth it. I really enjoyed this walk and appreciated the three checkpoints, which were each really enjoyable to see along the way. The different terrains allowed us to experience gravel paths, woodland stretches, fields, and blocks of limestone, making the walk interesting and variable. This was one of my favourites we have done so far, and I will definitely be back to explore more of this area, including the tarn and nearby summits. There were many families on the first stretch to Malham Cove, and people enjoyed a picnic on the limestone blocks overlooking the Aire Gap towards Pendle Hill and the South Pennines. Ending the walk with a homemade piece of cake in the Tea Room finished off the day perfectly!
Parking: We parked in a farmer’s field for a set fee of £8. Alastair Ross recommends the National Visitor Car Park, which was slightly further along. I think this may have been slightly cheaper, but it was very busy. There were toilets and a Visitors Centre there.
Length: Our route totalled at 8.76km with 232 meters of elevation gain, taking just under 2 hours. It was circular, starting and finishing at the car park. There were many points where you could turn around. For example, at the base of Malham Cove, after reaching the top of Malham Cove, or cutting out Gordale Scar. These adjustments would shorten the walk as it wouldn’t be circular.
Food: There are a few options in Malham, including a Tea Room and Pub. Conveniently, when we reached the road again, at Gordale Bridge, before turning left towards Gordale Scar, there was a refreshment van with drinks and ice creams. This is meant to be there often and is the perfect spot for a pick-me-up.
Drive: We drove from Leeds, which was under 90 minutes.
Route: The route was very clear and easy to follow. We used Alastair Ross’ ‘40 favourite walks’ book (Yorkshire Dales) and knew where we were at all times. It was nice to start and end in the same place.
Accessibility: The steps up to the top of Malham Cove were a bit of a slog, but apart from that, the walk wasn’t particularly challenging. You could also opt not to go to the top if that was better for you. The paths were easy to walk on and well-trodden.
Landmarks: Malham Cove, Gordale Scar, and Janet’s Foss were all lovely landmarks to view at different points during the walk. I really liked how each section led to something else to look at.
This was one of my favourite walks yet. I look forward to the next one. See you then!
