Malham is a small village in the Yorkshire Dales which is about 12 miles from the town of Skipton. It is a typical Dales village with a quiet, timeless feel about it. You get the impression that nothing happens very quickly here. The landscape is stunning with ancient dry stone walling that typifies this part of the Dales and a patchwork of fields and open moor.
The village itself is relatively small but can get incredibly busy in the summer and at weekends. It has cafés and two pubs for refreshment. There is a large parking area at the Malham National Park Centre where you can also pick up local information and ideas for walks.
Most visitors head towards Malham Cove which is a short walk along Cove Road out of the village and then a track to the base of the cove. Malham Cove is a 250 foot high limestone cliff. Before the last ice age a waterfall poured over the cliff which must have been a pretty impressive sight as the falls were believed to be higher than Niagara is today. It is home to nesting Peregrine Falcons as well as other bird life and viewings of nesting sites take place at certain times of the year from the grassy area below the cove
It is possible to take a more scenic route to the cove. Walk over the hump backed bridge and then take the lane to the left in front of the youth hostel. There is a well worn path that leads across the fields which ends at Malham Beck. Crossing a delightful, old, clapper bridge will bring you to the foot of the cove.
Malham Beck emerges from the base of the cove and flows for a mile or so until it joins Gordale Beck to become the River Aire. It was once believe that the Aire emerged from the cove but this has since been proved not to be the case.
To the left of the cove is a path which leads to the top. It is quite a strenuous walk but well worth the effort. The path is well made and provides good footing but may become slippery when wet. There are places to stop, rest and take in the view on the way up.
The top of the cove is a geological feature known as limestone pavement which has formed over the centuries by a combination of erosion and weathering. The gaps between blocks are called grykes and they provide a habitat for plants, many of which are rare and only found in these unique habitats.
Also In the area and worth a visit if time permits.
- Janets Foss. A small but delightful waterfall that can be reached by a very pleasant walk that can be undertaken from the top of the cove or by taking Gordale Lane from the village.
- Gordale Scar. A gorge created during the last ice age.
- Malham Tarn. A. glacial lake about 5 miles from the village.