29th November 2024 - A walk from Malham
Walk Details
Distance walked: 14.2 miles
Total ascent: 2091 ft
OS map used: OL2 - Yorkshire Dales, Southern & Western areas
Time taken: 6 hrs
Route description: Malham-Pennine Way-Janet's Foss-Gordale Scar-Street Gate-Malham Tarn-Pennine Way-bridleway across Knowe Fell-Henside Road-Black Hill-Pennine Bridleway-Langscar Gate-Pennine Way-Malham Cove-Malham
It's my Friday off work and with a fine autumn day forecast I decided to head to Malham for a walk. The contrast between being there on a weekday at the end of November and on a fine day during a summer weekend could not be greater, it was so quiet. The route that did took in the usual attractions near Malham; Janet's Foss, Gordale Scar, Malham Tarn, and Malham Cove, as well as some of the moorland to the north and west of Malham Tarn. I was already familiar with almost all the footpaths and bridleways that I used, except for part of the bridleway across the shoulder of Knowe Fell. With hindsight I should have made the walk a bit shorter as I ended up setting quite a pace to get back to Malham before it went dark. After setting off from Malham with mostly cloudy skies, it broke up into the afternoon to give a little sunshine every now and then, and with quite light winds and good visibility for taking in the views it was a nice day to be out.
I left Malham by taking the trail of the Pennine Way and following it south briefly before taking the footpath to Janet's Foss. I then made my way up to Gordale Bridge and paid a visit to Gordale Scar. After retracing my steps to Gordale Bridge I took the path signposted for Malham Cove. I followed this up to a gate at the top of the field and access land, where I turned right and made my way up the hillside to above Gordale Scar, then north to pick up the footpath across the moor to the road at Street Gate. From Street Gate I took the track towards Malham Tarn to join the Pennine Way, which I followed north, passing Malham Tarn and Malham Tarn House, to reach the road at Tennant Gill Farm. The Pennine Way was left here for the bridleway southwest across the shoulder of Knowe Fell to Henside Road, and after a walk east along this I took a footpath on the right across the side of Black Hill to reach the Pennine Bridleway. I then followed this east down to Langscar Gate. After crossing Cove Road I took the footpath opposite to reach the Pennine Way, which I followed south to Malham Cove, and back down to Malham.
Total ascent: 2091 ft
OS map used: OL2 - Yorkshire Dales, Southern & Western areas
Time taken: 6 hrs
Route description: Malham-Pennine Way-Janet's Foss-Gordale Scar-Street Gate-Malham Tarn-Pennine Way-bridleway across Knowe Fell-Henside Road-Black Hill-Pennine Bridleway-Langscar Gate-Pennine Way-Malham Cove-Malham
It's my Friday off work and with a fine autumn day forecast I decided to head to Malham for a walk. The contrast between being there on a weekday at the end of November and on a fine day during a summer weekend could not be greater, it was so quiet. The route that did took in the usual attractions near Malham; Janet's Foss, Gordale Scar, Malham Tarn, and Malham Cove, as well as some of the moorland to the north and west of Malham Tarn. I was already familiar with almost all the footpaths and bridleways that I used, except for part of the bridleway across the shoulder of Knowe Fell. With hindsight I should have made the walk a bit shorter as I ended up setting quite a pace to get back to Malham before it went dark. After setting off from Malham with mostly cloudy skies, it broke up into the afternoon to give a little sunshine every now and then, and with quite light winds and good visibility for taking in the views it was a nice day to be out.
I left Malham by taking the trail of the Pennine Way and following it south briefly before taking the footpath to Janet's Foss. I then made my way up to Gordale Bridge and paid a visit to Gordale Scar. After retracing my steps to Gordale Bridge I took the path signposted for Malham Cove. I followed this up to a gate at the top of the field and access land, where I turned right and made my way up the hillside to above Gordale Scar, then north to pick up the footpath across the moor to the road at Street Gate. From Street Gate I took the track towards Malham Tarn to join the Pennine Way, which I followed north, passing Malham Tarn and Malham Tarn House, to reach the road at Tennant Gill Farm. The Pennine Way was left here for the bridleway southwest across the shoulder of Knowe Fell to Henside Road, and after a walk east along this I took a footpath on the right across the side of Black Hill to reach the Pennine Bridleway. I then followed this east down to Langscar Gate. After crossing Cove Road I took the footpath opposite to reach the Pennine Way, which I followed south to Malham Cove, and back down to Malham.
Route map
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It's a grey morning as I set off from Malham
I briefly follow the Pennine Way south..
..and then take the footpath to Janet's Foss..
The waterfall of Janet's Foss..
From Janet's Foss it's just a short walk to reach Gordale Scar...
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From Gordale Bridge I take the Dales High Way towards Malham Cove
Looking across to the entrance to Gordale Scar as I reach access land. I'm going to make my way up the hillside on the left.
and down Malhamdale to Pendle Hill in the distance
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Great views of Gordale Scar from the top of the crags of New Close Knotts....
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Gordale Beck below and Pendle Hill in the distance
More limestone scenery as I join the footpath up from Gordale Scar
Following the footpath towards Street Gate
Limestone pavement with Pendle Hill in the distance
From Street Gate I take the track to Malham Tarn..
By the shores of Malham Tarn
After passing Malham Tarn House the Pennine Way goes through a cutting in the limestone
Malham Tarn from just past Malham Tarn House
On the Pennine Way towards Tennant Gill Farm...
Looking down the valley of Cowside Beck, and the road to Darnbrook and to Arncliffe in Littondale
I left the Pennine Way when it reached the road at Tennant Gill Farm and took the bridleway across Knowe Fell..
Looking back to the moorland around Darnbrook, and to Great Whernside in the distance on the right
Malham Tarn in view to my left
Following the bridleway down to the Langcliffe to Malham Tarn road..
Off Knowe Fell and onto the road towards Malham Tarn
A view of Ingleborough on the other side of Ribblesdale when I look back
Looking along the road to Malham Tarn. This is as far as I'm walking along it though. I'm going to take a footpath on the right across the moor to the Langcliffe to Langscar Gate bridleway.
Rough walking underfoot as I follow the footpath across the moor
Ingleborough in the distance on the other side of Ribblesdale
Onto the bridleway to Langscar Gate
Looking back to Ingleborough in the distance
Following the bridleway down to Langscar Gate
A look over the wall to my left gives me a view of Malham Tarn
Approaching Langscar Gate. I'll cross the road and take the footpath opposite to Malham Cove.
Heading down the dry valley to Malham Cove
Malham and Malhamdale from the top of Malham Cove
A final shot across the limestone pavement at the top of Malham Cove