Top tips for things to do in Malham and the surrounding area
- Download our popular free walking app with walks in Malham and Malhamdale as well as other parts of the National Park.
- Climb the 400 stone steps to see the lunar landscape of limestone pavement at the top of the awe-inspiring natural amphitheatre Malham Cove.
- Be enchanted by Janet’s Foss, a gladed woodland waterfall said to be the home of the queen of the fairies.
- Admire the dramatic surroundings at Gordale Scar, a towering gorge that has wowed visitors, writers and artists for hundreds of years.
- Pick up the leaflet for the Malham Landscape Trail which takes in all the sites – the leaflet and help advice is on offer at our Malham National Park Visitor Centre.
- In Malham village visit blacksmith Annabelle Bradley designs who makes beautiful wrought ironwork in the old smithy. Also in the village are plenty of places to eat and drink.
- If you want a quieter walk, take a wander around Malham Tarn. You can hire a tramper here from the National Trust which owns and manage the land.
- Visit the Dale of Littondale which is close by with its wonderful hay meadows, walking and the Queens Arms pub.
Walks in Malham and the surrounding area of Malhamdale
A chance to see the quieter side of Malham with a walk over the moors above the Tarn.
- Features: High-level route (visits fellsides)
- Location: Malhamdale
A circuit around the stunning Malham Tarn taking advantage of National Trust-owned open access land.
- Features: Low-level route (mostly valleys); High-level route (visits fellsides)
- Location: Malhamdale
A classic Dales walk taking in Janet’s Foss and the majestic Malham Cove. A short side trip can be made to include a visit to Gordale Scar.
- Features: Low-level route (mostly valleys)
- Location: Malhamdale
Walk – An open access walk – Malhamdale
A circular walk using the Pennine Way and open access land with views of Malham Tarn.
- Location: Malhamdale
Miles without stiles walks in and around Malham
Walk – Malham Cove – a miles without stiles walk
Starting at the National Park Centre, follow the road through the village. At the phone box, go through the gate to follow the unsurfaced woodland trail alongside the stream then continue on the road to just beyond Town Head Barn where the gradient reaches 1 in 6.
The footpath to the cove is a well-surfaced track of compact stone with a general width of at least 150cm. The first 25m of the route has a gradient of 1 in 6. From here, the footpath levels out and does not exceed a 1 in 8.
- Features: Accessible route
- Location: Malhamdale
Walk – Gordale Scar – a miles without stiles walk
An easy access route into the towering cliffs of Gordale Scar. This 600m footpath runs from Gordale Bridge to Gordale Scar. The route is well-surfaced and level and has a general width of 100cm. Whilst walking the route, look out for peregrines and dippers.
- Features: Accessible route
- Location: Malhamdale
Walk – Malham Tarn – a miles without stiles walk
This 2.5km footpath starts at the National Trust car park. The first 500m of the route are rough grass up to a gradient of 1:10. From here, the route joins a well-surfaced track with a general width of at least 300cm. There is a wheelchair-accessible boardwalk loop providing access to the nature reserve at the Water Houses end.
The tarn is said to be the highest marl lake in Britain and is rich in submerged aquatic plants. Whilst walking around the lake, look out and listen for great crested grebe, moorhen, coot, tufted duck and teal.
- Features: Accessible route
- Location: Malhamdale
Want to find more inspiration?
- Our top ten things to see and do in the National Park.
- Events listings from businesses and other organisations in and around the National Park.
- Places to go; other dales, landscape features, towns and villages, experiences and places to eat and drink.
- Our longstanding and much-loved annual guide to the Yorkshire Dales National Park is packed full of features.
- Our month by month and seasonal guides for things to do in the Yorkshire Dales National Park.