Gordale Scar & Malham Cove (Route 3)

Yorkshire Dales Walk

Maps

Walk Route Description

The village of Malham has become a focal point for exploring the limestone scenery of the southern half of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. The area, particularly to the north of the village, offers spectacular countryside with Malham Cove of particular note. Alternative routes are described in walk 1239 and walk 1051.

This walk includes all the highlights of Malham's limestone scenery. The walks starts in the National Park car park (grid ref. SD900627) 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. 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.

After viewing this collapsed cave return to the lane and turn left, eastwards. Hawthorne Lane at first is a very steep hill but this levels off on reaching Smearbottoms Lane. Continue on these lanes then turn left at Lee Gate Farm (grid ref 926 644). Follow the climbing field path on the right of the wall then through a gate into a bridleway and another gate on the left. The clear path heads west keeping to the wall and fence on the left. Passing the remains of a Roman Camp with its information board, over a footbridge of the stream that runs down to Gordale and arrives at Street Gate. Rather than follow the metalled road, fork half right and continue to Malham Tarn.

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.

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