The Malham Cove Walk Ultimate Guide 2025
The Malham Cove walk is one of the most impressive in Yorkshire and even a seasoned walker will be stunned by the views on offer here.
There is a certain kind of mystery to this area, even with its sometimes busy pathways. The green of the fields against the moody backdrop of the sky creates a fairy tale contrast and it’s easy to see why there are various stories of strange auras and mystical beings roaming these lands.
The Malham Cove area takes in several main sights, and you can choose to just head to one or take a route around all of them.
We’ll detail the circular route that can be done easily in a day and include various other places you can visit on the hike, so that you can pick and choose how much punishment you want to put your legs through!
Malham Cove Walk – Route Summary
This truly is one of the best walks in Yorkshire, so make sure you save a whole day to enjoy the views and take in the scenery.
You can shorten the walk by adding in a waterfall scramble, which we decided to avoid when we visited in the winter months as it looked pretty wet and slippy! I would only attempt the scramble as an experienced climber/hiker.
If you fancy the scramble then it might be worth attempting this route in reverse so you’re climbing up the rocks rather than edging down them!
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Overview Of The Malham Cove Walk
Distance – 6 miles (or a few km shorter if you brave the waterfall scramble)
Time – Around 4 hours
Elevation – Around 350 metres
Best time to visit – May to August
Malham Cove is the first sight you’ll come across. It’s a limestone ravine, that may have been formed during the ice age by water from melting glaciers or a cavern collapse. Walking up dry valley you can extend your walk to take in Malham Tarn, an upland alkaline lake.
Head on top Gordale Scar waterfall, then follow Gordale Beck stream takes its route through the scar and then flows over Janet’s Foss waterfall before heading back to Malham for a well deserved pint in one of the village pubs.
Where To Park For The Malham And Gordale Scar Hike
The most popular place to start the Malham Cove trek is from Malham village itself.
You’ll find a National Park Car Park (Postcode: BD23 4DA), and you can also park along the side of the road just outside the carpark – if you can find a space!
This is a popular walk, so if you’re heading here on a sunny summers weekend or national holiday then be prepared for the parking to be busy. You might want to consider arriving early to ensure you get a space.
Malham Cove Hike Facilities
There is very little in the way of facilities on the hike itself, so make sure you make the most of the toilets at the visitors centre in Malham itself before you set off hiking! The visitors centre is open from 10am to 5pm.
The centre of Malham is well set up for tourism, with several pubs, a little tearoom and a gift shop.
#1 Malham Village To Malham Cove Walk
Start at the National Park carpark. You’ll find a visitors centre next door where you can use the toilet facilities and grab any essentials you forgot!
Head into Malham (there’s usually a string of people leading the way!) Turn left at The Buck Inn and continue up Cove Road until it forks.
When it does, take the footpath on the right and make your way towards Malham Cove, the huge rock structure ahead of you (it’s pretty hard to miss!)
You’ll be hiking across beautiful green grassy fields speckled with little trees and the babbling stream. It’s a stunning start to the trek, with the mysterious cove ahead of you.
Follow the footpath as it heads up towards the peak of Malham Cove. It’s a short, steep climb but not too scrambly.
At the top you’ll find a limestone pavement and some incredible views. You’ll want good footwear to navigate the pavement as it’s a little uneven. Take care up there and spend some time enjoying the views before you continue!
#2 Malham Cove To Watersinks Trek
After you’ve spent some time taking in the glorious views, continue across the limestone pavement heading right from the stairs you came up and into the fields behind.
There’s a footpath here heading away from the view, that takes you to a style and on towards dry valley.
From here there’s really only one footpath, that takes you through dry valley and on towards watersinks carpark. The rocks on either side of the valley are impressive and the first section of the walk is a nice break from the uphill sections ahead!
This whole section was probably our favourite, when the crowds dropped away and the scenery was changing rapidly.
Close to watersinks carpark there’s another steep climb – this one is more of a scramble. Stay on the footpath as the track flattens out and you reach the road.
#3 Watersinks To Gordale Scar (Option To Tag On Malham Tarn)
From watersinks carpark you have the option to trek onto Gordale Scar or tag on Malham Tarn, a pretty hilltop lake.
The loop around the lake is well signposted and will add on an extra 3 miles or so, depending on which paths you take. Or you can opt to simply take the road towards the lake and head straight back again after taking in the views! It all depends on how much energy you have!
At the watersinks carpark, take the road to the right. Cars do come along this road so keep an eye open and make sure kids are aware!
At the crossroads take the right hand road heading towards Gordale Scar. Then at the next crossroads take the left hand footpath over the wall and into the fields.
From here you’ll walk through lush grassy fields and across the top of the valley until you reach the top of the waterfall. It’s a steep scramble down to the waterfall itself.
Alternate Walking Route
If you’re not bothered about seeing Gordale Scar then DON’T head over the wall into the fields. Instead continue along the road and then follow the alternative route in section 4!
This route also misses out the waterfall scramble and will take you either to Janet’s Foss waterfall or straight back to Malham (details on both below!)
#4 Gordale Scar To Janet’s Foss
Gordale Scar is a perfect place to recoup before the onwards journey. If you still have energy you can actually walk behind the waterfall itself, though take care if you do – it can be slippy!
If you’re feeling adventurous and have trekking experience then head down the waterfall. It’s hard to see the path until you’ve scrambled over the rocks at the bottom but there is a way down.
This is the hardest bit of the trek and you should be prepared to turn back if you don’t like the look of it. When we visited the water was high and the rocks were extremely slippy, so we opted out. Put safety first if you’re at all unsure!
Once you’ve made it to the bottom of the waterfall there’s a clear path/road head away from the waterfall adjacent to Gordale Beck.
Follow it down to Hawthorn Lane and turn right here. Then at the fork keep left and follow the signs to Janet’s Foss waterfall just off Gordale Lane.
Janet’s Foss waterfall is a big attraction and you’ll see why when you lay eyes on it. In the summer months you might even want to take a dip here, so make sure you bring something to swim in and a towel!
It’s a great spot for a picnic if you haven’t already worked your way through your snacks!
Alternate Hiking Route
If you didn’t fancy the waterfall scramble this time then not worry, there’s an alternative route which is a lot easier but will add on a few miles in distance.
Head back up the waterfall (it’s good to get your heart racing!) and back to the road where you first turned into the grassy fields. Now turn left and continue along Tarn road.
At the end of Tarn Road turn left down Malham Rakes. A short way down you have the choice to turn left again and head towards Janet’s Foss waterfall, or continue on back to Malham to end your trek.
If you’re legs are aching then continue along Malham Rakes and turn right at the end of the road to reach the centre of Malham.
If you fancy a bit more of a leg stretch then turn left instead and continue along the footpath until you reach Hawthorn Lane. From here you can turn right onto Gordale Lane and then follow the signs to Janet’s Foss waterfall.
#5 Janet’s Foss Waterfall To Malham Walk
The shortest route back from here is to head back up to the road and continue left along Gordale Lane until you reach the centre of Malham to end your Malham Cove walk.
If you’ve got more in you then head on past Janet’s Foss waterfall instead and into the pretty copse of woodland, where you’ll find bluebell fields in the spring. Continue on through the fields until you reach the fork in the lane and turn right into the centre of Malham!
There are several nice pubs to get refreshed after your Malham Cove hike. Our favourite was the Lister Arms which has some nice outdoor seating from which to watch the world go by!
Where To Stay For Your Malham Cove Hike
Not only is the walking in Malham incredible but Malham village is also a stunning place to visit in its own right. It’s a busy area because of the local attractions, but you won’t regret booking a stay in or near this beautiful Yorkshire village.
Here are some of our top recommendations of places to stay in or near the natural wonders of Malham.
YHA Malham
This youth hostel is the perfect budget option for anyone wanting to hike Malham Cove. Gordale Scar is just a 15 minute walk away. You can choose between dorm rooms, twin rooms and they even have little glamping pod cabins available!
Head here for more information and prices.
The Lister Arms
Stay in the heart of Malham at The Lister Arms pub. This is exactly what springs to mind when you mention ‘English pub’, with it’s stone exterior covered in ivy. The rooms are homely and the food is delicious! Plus the Malham Cove walk ends pretty much here, so you can crawl onto a comfy sofa straight after the hike!
Head here for more information and prices.
Beck Hall
Beck Hall boasts an unrivalled location next to a pretty stream with a restaurant opening out onto the river. If you’re looking for English village charm then look no further! It’s also dog friendly.
Head here for more information and prices.
Cove View Cottage
If you’re looking to rent a holiday cottage then check out Cove View Cottage with it’s beautiful views of Malham Cove. It’s perfect for a couple’s getaway and has all the amenities you need, including a cosy wood burner for chilly evenings in.
Head here for more information and prices.
What To Take When Walking Malham Cove
As there aren’t facilities along the way, it’s a good idea to come prepared. Here are a few things you’ll want to bring with you on your Malham Cove hike.
- A map. Make sure you take a proper map of the Malham Cove walk or download a map to your phone. There are plenty of spots with limited service so don’t rely on the internet here!
- Food and water. Take some lunch and snack bars, as well as enough water for the whole day. Take a filtered water bottle like this in case of emergencies, so you can fill up from streams and rivers, through they run through farm land so it’s not advisable to drink from them if you don’t have to!
- Decent walking shoes, preferably waterproof. We love our Mammut walking shoes but they aren’t the cheapest. Any with proper support will be fine for this trek, but make sure you wear them in first to avoid nasty blisters on the day!
- Sun cream/sunglasses/hat (even in the winter the weather here is very changeable!)
- Raincoat and warm layers.
- Towel and swimming gear if you plan a trip to Janet’s Foss.
- Your mobile phone, fully charged and a dry bag to keep it in!
- A small first aid kit.
Top Tips For Hiking Malham Cove
Go prepared. The Malham Cove walk is a relatively easy one and it’s likely you will see lots of other people there, but Yorkshire is renowned for it’s changing weather conditions. Make sure you have access to maps of the area and are well stocked with food and drink before you set off, just as you would for any hike away from civilisation! Ensure your phone is fully charged and take a charger if you need to.
Tell someone where you’re going. It’s good practice on any hike to share your route with someone before you leave. You can tell your hotel or bnb before you leave.
Make time for the views. Make sure you factor in time for some rest stops and photo opportunities. The views and landscape here is fantastic and you’ll want time to take it all in!
Stick to the paths. There are areas of conservation and wildlife protection at certain points in the walk, so stick to the pathways where ever possible.
Leave only footprints. I’m sure no one has to remind you these days to take litter with you! This is such a beautiful area and can be so easily ruined by a crisp packet or three.
Where To After Your Malham Cove Walk?
What should you do after your Malham Cove walk? Not to worry, we’ve got you covered! If you have several weeks to spend in Yorkshire then you’ll want to consider a stay in the iconic village of Haworth.
This village is one of our favourite spots in Yorkshire, famous for being home to the Bronte sisters and full of English character and charm. It’s ideal for a weekend break as you’ll get the chance to experience the village before and after the crowds arrive.
Find out more about a visit to Haworth in our ultimate guide.
Thanks for reading, and we really hope you enjoyed this article and found it useful. Let us know about your trip in the comments section below.
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