Malhamdale and Lower Ribblesdale

Based at Malham National Park Centre, Area Ranger Catriona Kilner (pictured left working with a group of students) manages one of the busiest dales in the National Park, where each year thousands of visitors flock to see natural features such as Malham Cove and Gordale Scar.

She looks after the parishes of Stainforth, Langcliffe, Malham Moor, Malham, Kirkby Malham, Hanlith, Scosthrop, Airton, Calton, Eshton, Stainforth and . She also looks after the areas of the following parishes, where they are within the National Park: Hellifield, Otterburn, Gargrave, Stirton with Thoralby, Long Preston, Settle, Giggleswick and Lawkland

Cat works closely with local schools and community groups on a range of access and conservation projects.

Access Ranger Giovanni Mezzanotte’s main role is to carry out maintenance on the rights of way network and assist in the management of Open Access in Malhamdale.

Giovanni works closely with Cat on large projects as well as constantly carrying out smaller projects, sometimes with the help of volunteers.

He is seen in the picture on the right putting up a bird box on a tree near Malham Cove.

Access

Malham Cove and GordaleScar
We are constantly trying to improve the rights of way to make areas more accessible for the less mobile.  At the moment we are concentrating on the area around Malham.  We have recently been working on the footpath to Gordale Scar, improving the drainage and reducing the gradient at one point to make this route accessible for wheelchair users.

The footpath to Malham Cove has recently been extended so that there is less on-road walking. More work will be done on this route later on this year to resurface it.

Flasby Fell bridleway improvements
Last year we intended to continue our programee of works to improve the bridleway across Flasby Fell. Unfortunately it was so wet up there we had to postpone the plans until it dried out.  So this year we will be carrying out some surfacing and drainage works in order to make the bridleway much more pleasant in the winter and in wet weather. At the same time we will also be improving the gates to make the route easier to use.

Mastiles Lane improvements
Over the last few years we have been gradually repairing sections of Mastiles Lane that have been severely eroded in the past. This summer we are hoping to complete the last section of route which is 150 metres of the walled lane. This will bring this popular route back into a good state of repair for the many people who enjoy using it.

Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs)
Several routes within the Yorkshire Dales National Park have traffic regulation orders placed on them, preventing their use by unauthorised motor vehicles.  Within Malhamdale this includes Mastiles Lane. For more information please visit the Traffic Regulation Orders page.

Things to look out for

A date with nature (formerly Aren't birds brilliant!)
Since 2003 a project has been running in Malham village to improve visitors' access to the natural history of the area.  The RSPB fund staff to promote information about the peregrine falcons that nest on the face of Malham Cove.

Every day between the start of April and the end of August this summer, RSPB staff will be present to talk to visitors.  When the visibility is good they will be based at the foot of Malham Cove with binoculars and telescopes to help people see the peregrines and any other wildlife around.  When the weather is too poor to be able to use the telescopes, the staff make their base at Malham National Park Centre to talk to visitors who want to know more about the birds.  This year the peregrines have raised four young successfully.

Advice

Please do not drop rubbish while using public rights of way and access land and do not feed wildlife or livestock.  Cattle and sheep can become curious if this happens regularly and eventually may become aggressive if they think there might be food available.

Please do not leave bags of dog waste in the countryside.  They are a potential health hazard for people and animals as well as looking very unsightly.

Contact details

Catriona Kilner
Malhamdale Area Ranger
Malham National Park Centre
Malham
Skipton
North Yorkshire
BD23 4DA

01969 652383