malham cove and gordale

Formed during the ice age this enormous cove and dramatic limestone pavement (like something you'd expect on the moon) are a natural wonder of the countryside. It's well worth the trouble to walk and climb to take in the fantastic scenery.

Lots of steep steps so probably not for everyone! Beautiful area with some amazing views. We really enjoyed our visit and will definitely go back.

Beautiful walk taking in Janets Foss, Gordale Scar and Malham Cove. Just under 10miles, moderate, can be sloppy underfoot if weather is misty / wet. Finished off with a drink in the Lister Arms

gorgeous place, beautiful walk. such stunning views when we arrived at the top. recommend to all. Must be able to walk no wheelchair access

Great bit of British landscape. Not a difficult walk. Ideal for clambering over and a great view when you go round the corner.

Another bit of incredible Dales scenery. Easily accessible along a 600 metre flat path, turning the corner to be confronted by the waterfall cascading down in between the vertical canyon walls is a magic moment.

Recommended by hotel staff. Not for the faint hearted. Beautiful views when you reach the top and even better refreshments when you reach the bottom on the other side. Doggy heaven.

I visited Malham over a day, when I was taking a break from the Pennine way (my back hurt) putting up my tent in Shadow on Goredale Scar which i explored over the next day I went to see Malham Cove the next day though weather was less good that day (later on i got wet) both are lovely sight Gordale is especially impressive with fast running water and essential viewing if in Malham, best viewed in fine weather.

Boyfriend and I together with some friends were staying at Beck Hall which is an easy 15/20 minutes walk to Malham Cove.We were so fortunate to arrive just as the Skipton Brass Band and a group of carol singers began performing. There were quite a good number of visitors all drinking some very welcome mulled wine. It was a fabulous and festive way to enjoy such a spectacular setting.

Malham is the most visited village in the Yorkshire Dales and you can see why when you visit. It is so cute and very quaint. The Cove is a must to see and the a lovely walk. You can also walk around to Janets Foss from Malham through to the Gordale gorge and then over the moors to joint up to the road that then leads back down to Malham. Would recommend hightly

Don't visit the Yorkshire Dales without seeing the wonders of Malham: Gordale Scar, Janet's Foss, Malham Cove (and the limestone pavement above it), Malham Tarn, Water Sinks and Watlowes. Malham Cove and Gordale Scar are awesome limestone cliffs, fantastic relics of the ice age. Janet's Foss is a pretty waterfall in a rocky bowl very close to Gordale Scar, Malham Tarn a large, high-level glacial lake, Water Sinks where the infant river Aire disappears (apparently miraculously) and Watlowes a dry, narrow limestone valley to the east of Malham Cove. All can be encountered on a classic six-mile circular walk from Malham, where there is parking, a shop and two pubs.

I had always wanted to visit Malham Cove and its limestone pavements since covering them in Geography A level in the 70s! Visited on a wet and windy midweek in November fully prepared for the wet hike from Malham up to the Tarn via the Cove and back by Gordale. There were less than a dozen cars in the carpark in Malham and we completed the whole route seeing no more than a dozen other people. The weather did not detract from the spectacle, indeed the wet weather provided greater water flow especially the river flowing out of the base of the Cove's cliff. The pre-historic "Niagara" that formed the Cove must have been a sight to behold. The experience was so much better as we were the only people in the Cove and subsequently saw noone else until we reached the Tarn. On the way to the Tarn look out at the top of the Dry Valley for where the river disappears into the ground only to reappear in the Cove several hundred feet below. Parking hint: The National (Trust) carpark is just before Malham village and you are encouraged to use it (by the NT !). BUT, there is plenty of parking (out of season) on the village streets further on which is actively encouraged by the local Council. The National car park costs £5 (coins or card machine) for any stay between 2 and 24hrs, 365 days a year - so all but a swift walk to the Cove and back will cost £5, even out of season. Alternatively, the street parking is free but with a suggested donation of £1 dropped into the provided milk churns - how quaint - to benefit the village. So, the choice is yours - pay £5 to the National Trust or donate £1 to the local economy. One final point - parking on the village street is likely to be more secure than the more isolated NT carpark which has no security.

We went up 1st week of November on a Crisp sunny day it was great. We parked in the village and did the circular route to Gordale Scar before going up to the tarn then the cove. I carried my Daughter up in a kiddy Rucksack and didn't find it difficult. The tarn is windswept and not overly exciting but the views from the path leading up to the tarn made it worth our efforts.

get your walking boots on enjoy the yorkshire dales walk the lime stone pavings sea some of the wonders off england

We completed the circuit of Malham Tarn and Malham Cove by road before continuing to Gordale Scar. The views at all three locations are spectacular and well worth the detour from Settle. We elected to walk up to the Scar. It takes around ten minutes on a decent footpath. We visited in November. Parking might well be a problem in Summer. There was one two-man tent in the camping area. What a fantastic location!The falls tumble down the Scar from quite a height. Two hundred feet? We also spotted a pair of Red Kites seeking prey above the cliff tops. Sublime flyers in the stiff breeze.It must be forty years since my last visit. Well worth the return.