| Level | Time | Length |
| Rambler Route | 1hr 22mins | 2.66 miles |
Our first adventure took us to Malham Cove, a place I will forever recommend visiting. Not only because of its surreal limestone pavement but also because my inner Harry Potter fan is shouting out as it features in a scene in The Deathly Hallows (Part 1)!
I did this walk in January, and of course, the UK weather was unpredictable. I plan on doing this walk again in the summertime when the trees have bloomed and the sun is (hopefully) shining.
We started the walk at the Malham car park (bring change unless you manage to find a spot on the roadside), following the road (Cove Road) north going past The Buck Inn. After passing the farm we found the gravel path that follows the stream all the way to the bottom of Malham Cove.
It’s a brilliant view from below, but even better once you reach the top! We headed left to venture the steep climb to the top; these steps really did take it out of me! Be prepared for a break or two along the way up.
Breath-taking views
Once finally at the top, you are faced with the mountains of limestone pavement around you. It really is surreal but so beautiful to look at. Once we’d taken in the view, refreshed ourselves and obviously taken a Lily photo, we headed east across the grass and limestone. Definitely watch your stepping at this point, and if you’re with any mini people or four-legged friends, it might be safer to keep to the grass. It can get particularly slippy in wetter climates.
After heading southeast across the fields we reach the roadside (Malham Rakes). At first, we headed over the road to the other path, before realising it was the opposite direction to the car – typical. So we followed Malham Rakes back to Malham Village. There are two beautiful pubs when back in Malham (The Lister Arms and The Beck Inn), a great way to end a beautiful walk!
Here is a copy of my route if you would like to download it and walk it yourself. This is a nice simple route, perfect for first-time hikers. This walk can be extended many ways by walking to Malham Tarn or Gordale Scar, or both! If you would like a more detailed step-by-step route, please get in touch!
A little about Malham Cove…
Malham Cove is a huge curving formation of limestone rock at the height of about 260 feet. At the top of the cove is a large area of deeply eroded limestone pavement looking out over the village of Malham and further. It is largely recognised for being part of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Part 1). Some scenes of the film were set all around Malham, including the limestone pavement, Malham Cove, Gordale Scar and Malham Tarn. Water used to flow over the top of the Cove. This now only happens when ice freezes on the top, as the water now flows below.
Want to explore more of the Yorkshire Dales and love waterfalls? Read our Aysgarth Falls and Ingleton Falls blogs!
If there are any beautiful places you have been to or know about, please let us know! We are always keeping an eye out for new places to take our adventures to. If you have any questions for Lily and me please don’t hesitate to get in touch!
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