Yorkshire Dales Walks

Malham Cove

Date: 5th May 2013
Distance: 2.6 miles
Ascent: 518 feet
Time: 2 hours 5 mins
With: Lisa and Rhiannon
Start Grid Ref: SD900626

Walk Summary:
A short family walk to the top of the spectacular Malham Cove before an easy walk back along the road into Malham.

Route Summary: Malham - Cove Road - Malham Cove - Sheriff Hill - Malham Rakes - Malham

Pictures:

1. Approaching Malham Cove

2. Malham Cove

3. Climbers on Malham Cove

4. Lisa and Rhiannon climbing the steps on to the Cove

5. Limestone pavement on Malham Cove

6. Looking down to Malham Beck

7. Malham Cove

8. Watlowes

Walk Detail: One of the reasons that Malham Cove is so popular is that it is easily accessible from Malham village on good paths. This means thar even those who don't particularly like walking can still go and appreciate one of the most impressive natural features in the country. The round trip to the Cove is also just about the right length for my daughter so has been on my list of places to take her for a while.

As it happened she really enjoyed herself and even asked, upon seeing the campsite, if we could go back and camp there. Admittedly she wasn't too keen on going up the steps to the top of the Cove but in the end she managed 1t quicker than some people - though with typical exaggeration she counted one million and 25 steps!

Unfortunately the weather was grey and cloudy with a bit of drizzle in the air which meant the views from the top were not quite as spectacular as they could have been. It also meant the limestone pavement was particularly slippery so care was needed for us all to cross safely. Once across the Cove we followed the path partway towards Gordale before turning back into Malham along the road. We concluded a most pleasant trip out with lunch at the Old Barn Cafe followed by ice-creams all round.

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