Malham Cove — Attraction in Great Britain

If ever I've been to a beautiful and interesting place it was Malham Cove! It is a large circular walk with Janet's Foss to visit along the way (if you choose to do the circular walk) You can choose to go straight to the cove and bypass Janets Foss which makes for a shorter walk. If heading straight to the cove you can park up at the visitor centre (paid parking) and walk through the little village where it will be signposted to the cove, The path is well maintained, taking this route you will arrive at the bottom of the cove where you can go straight into the cove itself and admire the height of it from the bottom. You can then take the Stone stairs up to the top of the cove if you wish (the views are amazing) where you will be welcomed by a stunning limestone pavement (which is very uneven and not suitable for pushchairs) There are no barriers at the top so make sure to keep your little ones close by and dogs on a lead as the drop to the bottom is sheer!!! If you are wanting to do the circular walk and see Janet's Foss (waterfall) then leave from the visitors car park and avoid going through village, instead look out for a small signpost a small brick building which will take you across a small bridge and just follow the grassy path until you get to the falls, aprox 20 min walk. From the falls you can continue your walk to Malham Cove, From the to top of the falls follow the road to where you will see a little coffee van, a gate is located just behind the coffee van where you will climb a steep path over the Yorkshire Dale's, finally crossing a road and then over a sty, Continue your walk until you reach the top of Malham Cove. We went on a Sunday and it was super busy so lots of people around to ask for directions if you did get lost. Highly recommended, it is a moderate walk and hilly in places. There are toilet facilities at the visitor centre and ofcourse there is a pub in the village which was very popular. Alot of people parked on the roadside to avoid paying for parking at the carpark. We did the circular walk and included Janet's Foss, My photos on this review are just of Malham Cove, I will do a review on Janet's Foss and leave photos of it there so look out for my post...

Yorkshire Dales Walk – Malham Cove to Gordale Scar and Janet's Foss

If you're looking for a breathtaking walk in the Yorkshire Dales, the Malham Cove to Gordale Scar and Janet's Foss circuit is an absolute must-visit, especially during good weather. The drive through Skipton to the parking spot at Malham is something straight out of Postman Pat, Robin Hood, or even Harry Potter! It's a scenic journey that sets the tone for the incredible natural beauty you're about to experience.

Starting the trek at Malham Cove is the best way to go. The portion between Malham Cove and Gordale Scar is the most demanding, so it's wise to tackle it first while you're full of energy. After reaching Gordale Scar, you can relax a bit on the way to Janet's Foss before heading back to Malham Cove. The entire walk is between 9 and 11 km long and, for the most part, is flat, making it suitable for children as well. Just be cautious on the limescale, which can be deceptively slippery, even on a dry day.

Before you set off, I highly recommend using the washroom facilities at the Malham Cove car park information center, as there are no other facilities along the route. For those who need a little refuel, there's a convenient mobile canteen offering hot and cold drinks, sandwiches, and ice cream just before the turn-off to Gordale Scar. This is about two-thirds of the way through the walk and a perfect spot for a break.

Parking is straightforward if you arrive early. You can park for free on the road in areas without double lines, or opt for the small, affordable car park at the information center. Alternatively, there's a larger car park in the field across from the information center that charges £7 for the day.

One last tip – don't forget to bring a battery pack! With so many stunning and varied landscapes, your phone or camera battery will drain quickly from all the photos you'll be taking.

In summary, this walk is a gem in the Yorkshire Dales that you simply can't miss. Whether you're a seasoned hiker or just looking for a family-friendly adventure, the Malham Cove to Gordale Scar and Janet's Foss circuit offers something for everyone. Enjoy...

A trip to Malham found us pulling on our boots and setting off to visit Malham Cove.

For such a small place I have never seen the sheer volume of visitors parking anywhere else as here…. Absolutely unbelievable but it does actually confirm the area really is worth visiting. Get there early if you want to get parked.

Setting off from Malham village we picked a route heading to the Cove, blue skies and sun but a strong and biting wind accompanied us on the walk. Very soon you get off the road and on to the track heading through the field surrounded by open views and the small river that is fed from the Cove.

We chose to do a small circular route just short of 4 miles around the Cove and back to Malham but before long you reach the Cove itself and it’s huge towering vertical cliff face. Sitting on the rocks at the base of the Cove was amazing, sheltered from the wind and basking in the winter sun made this an ideal place to spend the morning.

The Cove is a popular location for rock climbers and on the day several were already on the wall testing their skills and ability. This was great to sit and watch for a while.

Leaving the Cove face we walked up to the top where the views down the Dale were superb in particular when viewed from this ‘lunar’ like landscape created by the extensive limestone outcrop. This is quite a sight and a natural wonder and you can see why it was used in the Harry Potter films.

As expected this was very busy with tourists but if you pick your timing you can a get the whole place to yourself even if just for a few minutes.

We continued the circular route clockwise around the top and back down the Dale to Malham. Once at the top of the Cove, Malham Tarn is only around a mile and half away so you could always add this to your route with ease.

This is a rugged outdoor environment so dress for the occasion with appropriate clothing and footwear and not like the lady we saw struggling to climb over the rocks in her knee length high heeled boots and designer clothing. She looked great but sadly she was a step away from mountain rescue being called out and a trip to...