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Malham Cove – Reasons to Go
Malham Walks – a gem of the Yorkshire Dales, Malham Cove is a huge spectacular curving amphitheatre-shaped cliff formation of limestone rock.
The vertical face of Malham Cove is 260 feet (80 metres) high and 984 feet (300 metres) wide, in a curved curtain shape. It will make you feel good too, as we have a basic human need to feel an integral part of nature as a whole – and this is a perfect place to visit.
You’ll really enjoy the panoramic views from Malham Cove as they extend out over the village of Malham and across the Yorkshire Dales – it has been attracting visitors for centuries, including Harry Potter as a film set in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.
At the top of Malham Cove is a large area of deeply eroded limestone pavement, a large area of deeply eroded limestone pavement with an awesome blocked pattern formed joints in the limestone, dissolved away by rainwater since the last ice age.
Malham Cove is open all year. Turn left on foot from the Yorkshire Dales National Park Visitor Centre and as you walk out of Malham village, a good footpath leads from Cove Road to the foot of the cove by Malham Beck. Its a gentle walk and as you approach and then reach the foot of the cove and look up you’ll be awestruck. Steps then lead up to the limestone pavement on the top of the cove. There are incredible views on the way up the steps too, so take a break and enjoy the views from there as you enjoy your day.
You’ll see the cracks in the limestone pavement surface have been widened and deepened by rainwater, a weak carbonic acid – these are called grikes. The blocks are called clints.
Take a walk on this natural pavement and enjoy the majesty of Malham Cove, its magnificent views, and impress yourself and your walking party with your knowledge of geological names – clints and grikes!
Malham Walks – Malham Landscape Trail
To also see Janet’s Foss (old Norse word for waterfall) on a walk to the top of Malham Cove try this 3.9-mile circular Malham Cove walk. It will take you 1.5 to 2 hours to walk it, and perhaps try or watch wild swimming at Janet’s Foss too. A description and map is available here to view, print or download
Malham Walks –Malham Cove Circular Walk from Malham via Janet’s Foss and Gordale Scar
This Malham – Janet’s Foss – Gordale Scar -Malham Cove – Malham walk came first in the Which? magazine survey of favourite walks in the UK.
Try this 7.5 mile Malham Cove walk which follows the same initial route as the Malham Landscape Trail but also takes in Gordale Scar (without the risky steep scramble climb up it!)
After Janet’s Foss and then viewing Gordale Scar up close and not climbing it, retrace your footsteps steps from Gordale Scar along the main path through the campsite until you once again reach the road. Turn right to cross back over the bridge and pass through the gate on the right-hand side which is signposted to Malham Cove.
Here, pass through a field, following the wide path across to the corner of the walls, then continue with the wall to your right until you reach a stile. Over the stile continue through the field until you reach a set of steps and go through the gate. Turn left and follow the distinctive path for several hundred yards, passing through two more gates until you reach the road. Cross this lane and take the path signposted to Malham Cove, which takes you to the top of Malham Cove, where the Landscape Trail Walk can be followed back to Malham village.
See Peregrine Falcons at Malham Cove 2023
There is the free Malham Cove peregrine viewpoint at the bottom of Malham Cove with Project staff and volunteers on-hand with telescopes and up-to-the-minute updates. The free Malham Cove peregrine viewpoint is open from 10.30 am to 4.30 pm on Friday, May 19 and Saturday, May 20 and again on June 16 and on June 17, and on July 21 and July 22, 2023.
The peregrine falcon, also known as the peregrine, and historically as the duck hawk in North America has clutch sizes of between 3 and 4 eggs and can fly at 240 miles per hour whilst diving. Malham Cove is one of the most successful peregrine nest sites in the Yorkshire Dales National Park and is a sight not to be missed!
Malham Cove Car Park Sat Nav
Yorkshire Dales National Park Car Park in Malham village is the main car park and is on your left as you arrive at the village from the south.
National Park Centre Car Park, Malham, Skipton, North Yorkshire, BD23 4DA
Malham Car Park What3Words location ///strumming.offers.selects
Grid ref: SD 8994 6269
Car Parking Malham: additional Field Parking is available at busy times. However, If you’re visiting during the winter, the ground conditions may not be good enough for them to open any fields for parking.
Malham Yorkshire Dales car park has toilet facilities, including a Radar Toilet. A picnic area is available at this Yorkshire Dales National Park Visitor Centre. There is an EV (electric vehicle) charging point in the car park, for more details click here.
Malham Car Park Cost
Car Park Daily Tickets 6:00 am to Midnight Prices:
10 minutes Free
Up to 2 hours £2.50
Over 2 hours £4.50
Malham Visitor Centre car park is a designated Dark Sky Discovery Site, so perhaps also plan to visit after dark to experience the dark skies overhead.
You can travel to Malham by bus from Skipton – Skipton has good rail connections.
Malham Visitor Centre is a great starting point for anyone wanting to make the most of the beautiful nearby vicinity including Malham Village, Malham Cove, Malham Tarn, Gordale Scar and Janet’s Foss. There are interesting displays about the area, guide books and leaflets and, knowledgable friendly staff to help you enjoy the National Park in the way to suit your needs.
Malham National Park Visitor Centre Telephone Number 01729 833200
Malham Camping, Malham Cove Camping Sat Nav and Telephone
Riverside Campsite, Malham, Town Head Farm, Cove Road, Malham, Skipton, North Yorkshire, BD23 4DE, Tel 01729-830287
Riverside Campsite has a Car Park, Toilets, Showers on-site and is a 2-minute walk into Malham village.
Riverside Campsite is situated in the next field from Malham Cove and is next to Malham Beck that runs by the campsite, this family-run campsite on a working farm is ideally situated for Malham Village with its pubs, cafes and amenities and for a base camp for climbing or exploring Malham Cove.
Malham Cove Riverside Campsite GR899633 OS Map: 98
Riverside Campsite, Malham – Telephone bookings only: Mrs Moon: 01729 830287
Whilst exploring or investigating the beautiful area, please also see our information on Ribblehead Viaduct……
https://planplacestovisit.com/ribblehead-viaduct/