This walk combines a number of contrasting features.
There is Malham Cove with its limestone pavement on its top;
Malham Tarn one of only two natural lakes in the Dales; the unique
Gordale Scar and waterfall; and Janet's Foss.
Two lovely pubs can be found in Malham.
Warning: the walk down into Gordale Scar is very steep with a
short final descent between two waterfalls!
The walk starts at the FP just
to the right of the Lister Arms and leads through the medieval
field system before dropping down to Malham Cove. At the Cove
the walk continues on the left-hand side. (30 min)
After
the steep climb up 500+ steps of the stone stairway bear left
and follow the path uphill with the stone wall on the left to
the ladder stile. (the limestone pavement can be viewed a little
way on the right).The walk now becomes easier over Ewe Moor along
the grassy path going gently uphill to the next ladder stile.
After the third ladder stile the grassy track becomes even wider
and leads over the top to the car park close to Malham Tarn.
Turn right along the road and then left at the car park. (60
min)
Follow
the Penine Way sign to the Tarn after which the path goes by
the right hand edge of the wood. Now head due east between the
two woods seen ahead. After crossing the farm track head for
the left hand wood - Great Close Plantation - along the stone
wall on the left.
After the wood turn right along the farm road and follow the
wall on the left to the stone stile for the FP to Gordale Bridge.
(40 min)
The
path is over grassy moorland to the stone stile leading into
Gordale Gorge. After a short while the path now becomes more
arduous with a short final vertical descent into Gordale Scar.
(45 min)
At Gordale
Bridge turn right along the road for 100 yd and then left into
the entrance to Janet's Foss. The path descends through the beautiful
wooded Gordale Beck ravine and continues through wild flower
meadows to the River Aire. On reaching the Aire turn right for
Malham. (45 min)