logo Walking Britain
Home About Holidays FAQ Email MENU ☰

Gordale Scar & Malham Cove (Route 2)

Yorkshire Dales Walk

Nat Park - Yorkshire Dales - Malhamdale

County/Area - North Yorkshire

Author - Lou Johnson

Length - 7.0 miles / 11.4 km    Ascent - 900 feet / 273 metres

Time - 4 hours 20 minutes    Grade - moderate

Maps Ordnance Survey Logo Anquet Maps Logo

Ordnance Survey Explorer OL2Sheet Map1:25kBUY
Anquet OS Explorer OL2Digital Map1:25kBUY
Ordnance Survey Landranger 98Sheet Map1:50kBUY
Anquet OS Landranger 98Digital Map1:50kBUY

Walk Route Description

Photo from the walk - Gordale Scar & Malham Cove (Route 2)
Click image to visit gallery of 6 images.

The village of Malham has become a focal point for exploring the limestone scenery of the southern half of the Yorkshire Dales. This popularity is solely due to the spectacular nature of the surrounding countryside with Malham Cove of particular note. An alternative but shorter route is described in walk 1239 and a longer version in walk 2602.

This Yorkshire Dales walk includes all the highlights of Malham's limestone scenery. The walks starts in the National Park car park (grid ref. SD 900627) which has toilets and an information centre. Exit the car park and turn left into the village. After 200 metres cross the road and follow Malham Beck upstream to the first pedestrian bridge. Cross this and head downstream following the Pennine Way until a path junction near Mires Barn (grid ref. SD 902624). Turn left and follow the well maintained path east and then north to enter pleasant woodland with Gordale Beck on your right.

The path continues easily to Janet's Foss, a pretty waterfall cascading into a pool. Climb the path to the left of the waterfall and join Gordale Lane. Turn right and continue along the lane until you reach the gate that leads to Gordale Scar. The broad path soon enters a narrow chasm. Ahead Gordale Beck cascades down from a ledge. You need to scramble up to the left of the waterfall where plenty of hand holds assist the short climb. Beware of slippery rock and remember that some agility is required to get up this obstacle! If you cannot make it then retrace your steps to the lane and turn right. This will bring you to where the footpath exits the top of Gordale Scar's waterfall. Note - one walker commented this section could be described as a short severe climb and this may be true if there is plenty of water running over the fall.

Assuming you have made it to the top, continue along the well used path. This climbs out of the valley and after a mile joins a lane. Rather than follow the metalled road, fork right and head north to Street Gate continuing in the same direction to reach a small stand of trees. Turn left in front of them and continue west towards the shores of Malham Tarn, which is delightfully located.

There are a number of paths but you need to reach the road (grid ref. 893658) where the path heads south to Malham Cove. With the stream on your left continue past the point where it disappears underground following the clear and ignoring the path off to the left. The immediate scenery will suddenly change as you enter a wonderful limestone gorge. The path swings right and then turns sharp left to descend via steps into Watlowes dry valley. This leads without further problems to the limestone pavement above Malham Cove.

Reaching the cliff turn right but do be careful as it is a fair drop into the cove and the rock slabs can be slippery. Reaching the west end of the cliff a stepped path takes you down into the valley. At the first fork trend right and this path brings you out on Cove Road. Turn left into the lane and all that remains is a gentle downhill stroll back to the start.

Other walks nearby

Walk 1282 Malham Tarn & Arncliffemoderate12.5 miles
Walk 3092 Malham Cove, Malham Tarn & Watloweseasy4.4 miles
Walk 2385 Airton & Bell Busk Circulareasy/mod6.8 miles
Walk 1377 Calton and Hanlith Moorseasy/mod6.5 miles
Walk 2066 Winterburn Reservoir circulareasy6.0 miles
Walk 1701 Bordley Hall & Malham Moor from Threshfield Mooreasy/mod7.0 miles
Walk 2332 Mastilles Lane & Bordley from Kilnseyeasy/mod6.8 miles
Walk 3107 Flasby Fell from Flasbyeasy/mod6.5 miles
Walk 3109 Rylstone Edges & Cracoe from Rylstoneeasy/mod6.0 miles
Walk 2617 Nappa Cross & Victoria Cave from Langcliffemoderate9.5 miles

Recommended Books & eBooks

Trail and Fell Running in the Yorkshire Dales

Trail and Fell Running in the Yorkshire DalesGuidebook to 40 of the best trail and fell runs in the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Ranging from 5 to 24 miles, the graded runs start from bases such as Ribblehead, Dent, Sedbergh, Malham and Grassington and take in the region's diverse delights, from castles and waterfalls to iconic mountains such as Whernside, Ingleborough and Pen Y Ghent.
More information

Walking in the Yorkshire Dales: North and East

Walking in the Yorkshire Dales: North and EastThis guidebook contains 43 circular day walks in the north and east Yorkshire Dales. It explores the dales, hills and moors between Kirkby Stephen and Pateley Bridge. Walking ranges from gentle 3 mile strolls to more strenuous day-long rambles across the Howgills, Wensleydale, Swaledale, Nidderdale, Mallerstang and Coverdale.
More information

Messaging & Social Media

Message Walking Britain and follow the latest news.

Facebook  Twitter

Mountain Weather

Stay safe on the mountains with detailed weather forecasts - for iOS devices or for Android devices.