Yorkshire Dales Walks
Around Malham
Date: 30th January 2005
Distance: 7 miles
Ascent: 1016 feet
Time: 4 hours 40 mins
With: Dave
Start Grid Ref: SD900626
Walk Summary:
A return to the spectacular limestone country around Malham including Gordale Scar and Malham Cove.
Route Summary: Malham - Wedber Wood - Janet's Foss - Gordale Scar - Street Gate - Malham Tarn - Pennine Way - Watlowes - Malham Cove - Malham
Pictures:
1. The path through Wedber Wood
2. The lovely Janet's Foss
3. Approaching the waterfalls of Gordale Scar
4. The upper waterfall of Gordale Scar
5. A misty Malham Tarn
6. The Dry Valley
7. Standing above Ing Scar and Watlowes
8. Looking south from the edge of Malham Cove
9. Dave on the limestone pavement of Malham Cove
10. Looking up at Malham Cove
Walk Detail: This walk was notable for being the first one I’d actually driven to (I was still a learner at the time) which I was rather pleased with myself about.
When we arrived in Malhamdale it was very misty but as we got near to Wedber Woods this started to dissipate. The woods and Janet’s Foss were even lovelier than I remembered them.
When we got to the foot of Gordale there was the ominous sight of cloud hanging just above the scar. Dave was particularly excited about climbing up the waterfall and scrambled up it very quickly. I was a bit more circumspect but had no problems getting up what is undoubtedly an exciting climb.
I had bad memories of the steps leading to the top of the scar but these were soon exorcised and in truth I had little problem climbing up the rest of the way - ten months of hill walking had certainly made me fitter.
As I feared the top of the Scar was covered in cloud and we saw very little until we got to the tarn and even then we only saw that clearly from a distance before another cloudbank rolled in. As we got to the top of Watlowes, the Dry Valley, the low cloud finally began to clear and we got some very pleasant sunny spells. We stopped to grab a bite to eat at this point before heading down to the Cove.
After enjoying the views at the top of the Cove we eventually climbed down the long, long set of steps that takes you to the foot of the Cove from where we admired the scenery again. Finally we headed back to the village and on the way saw a proper Yorkshire couple taking their ferrets out for a walk!!
After driving home we were treated to one of Lisa’s special roast beef dinners. A tasty end to a lovely day out!
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