19th May 2013 - Janet's Foss, Gordale Scar & Malham Cove
Walk Details
Distance walked: 10.5 miles
Total ascent: 1423 ft
OS map used: OL2 - Yorkshire Dales, Southern & Western areas
Time taken: 6.5 hrs
Route description: Malham-Pennine Way-Janet's Foss-Gordale Scar-Hawthorn's Lane-Weets Top-Smearbottoms Lane-Mastiles Lane-Street Gate-Malham Tarn-Pennine Way-Malham Cove-Malham
Todays walk was a father-son expedition designed to introduce my Dad to some of the delights of limestone country, though I got to see something new as well as I'd never been to the waterfall of Janet's Foss.
We left Malham by heading south on the Pennine Way for a short while before taking the path to Janet's Foss. Once past the waterfall the path reaches Gordale Lane. The ravine of Gordale Scar was next on the itinerary but we decided not to take the path through so we retraced our steps and walked up Hawthorns Lane to visit the hill of Weets Top. From Weets Top we went back to Hawthorns Lane to continue walking up Smearbottoms Lane until it becomes a bridleway and reaches Mastiles Lane. We then followed Mastiles Lane to its end at Street Gate. After having a look at Malham Tarn the Pennine Way took us back to Malham via Malham Cove.
Total ascent: 1423 ft
OS map used: OL2 - Yorkshire Dales, Southern & Western areas
Time taken: 6.5 hrs
Route description: Malham-Pennine Way-Janet's Foss-Gordale Scar-Hawthorn's Lane-Weets Top-Smearbottoms Lane-Mastiles Lane-Street Gate-Malham Tarn-Pennine Way-Malham Cove-Malham
Todays walk was a father-son expedition designed to introduce my Dad to some of the delights of limestone country, though I got to see something new as well as I'd never been to the waterfall of Janet's Foss.
We left Malham by heading south on the Pennine Way for a short while before taking the path to Janet's Foss. Once past the waterfall the path reaches Gordale Lane. The ravine of Gordale Scar was next on the itinerary but we decided not to take the path through so we retraced our steps and walked up Hawthorns Lane to visit the hill of Weets Top. From Weets Top we went back to Hawthorns Lane to continue walking up Smearbottoms Lane until it becomes a bridleway and reaches Mastiles Lane. We then followed Mastiles Lane to its end at Street Gate. After having a look at Malham Tarn the Pennine Way took us back to Malham via Malham Cove.
Route map
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We left Malham by the Pennine Way but this was soon left to follow the path to the wood that contains Janet's Foss
Wedber Wood that contains Janet's Foss. The stream is Gordale Beck. Wild garlic is carpeting everywhere and is just beginning to flower.
Janet's Foss comes into view
Janet's Foss
The wooded ravine behind me
A short walk has brought us to the next highlight of the day, Gordale Scar
The lower waterfalls in Gordale Scar. The route up is on the lighter coloured rock to the right of the left hand waterfall. I've been up before but my dad hasn't and this time it looks pretty slippery so I decided not to chance it. It did mean a longer walk round but that was no bad thing.
Leaving Gordale Scar and it's starting to brighten up
The trig point that marks the summit of Weets Top
Looking across Hetton Common Head to Flasby Fell above Skipton
A distant Great Whernside across Kilnsey Moor
Cloud still on Fountains Fell beyond the limestone plateau above Gordale Scar
On the bridleway from Weets Top back to Smearbottoms Lane
We reach Mastiles Lane. In this direction it's heading for Wharfedale but we're going the other way.
Approaching the end of Mastiles Lane at Street Gate
Next stop Malham Tarn
By Malham Tarn..
The outflow of Malham Tarn just before it disappears underground
Heading down Ing Scar bound for Malham Cove
Malham and Malhamdale from the top of Malham Cove with the best weather of the day to enjoy the views
Taking in the view...
Malham Cove as we head back to Malham...
