Location
Malham Cove is located slightly north of the village of Malham, in North Yorkshire, England. Malham is nestled in the Yorkshire Dales National Park and the area is surrounded by nature and beautiful landscapes.
Parking and Access
The access roads to Malham are narrow and winding, however it is still accessible for motorhomes and camper vans as there are passing places. The best place to park would be in Malham and there is plenty of parking. The parking is charged at around £5 for the day depending on exactly where you park. To get to Malham Cove from the village, you will have to take a walk. The walk takes a few hours depending on your route. We would advise taking the afternoon to do a full circular route that starts you at the bottom of the cove, takes you up the stair case to the top of the amalgam cove cliff face and over it where you will see up close the encapsulating rock formations. As you continue around, you can walk over the fields and catch Gordale Scar and Janets Foss waterfalls on the way back. This route is very popular and is well sign posted! All in all, the walk is just shy of 5 miles depending on the paths you take.
Amenities
There are a range of facilities in the village of Malham, including toilets, a visitor centre, coffee shop and a pub. So if you fancy a beer or an ice cream afterwards, then you absolutely can. There is also a refreshments van that is normally located near Gordale Scar. This is located about half way through the circular walk, but we advise to take some refreshments with you, especially if its a nice day, as its particularly nice to sit at the top of Malham Cove with a drink and take in the views!
Interesting Facts
- It was formed by a waterfall carrying metlwater from glaciers at the end of the last Ice Age more than 12,000 years ago.
- The cove is 80 metres high.
- The cove is approximately 300 metres wide.
- Its a popular destination for birdwatchers due to its local population of peregrine falcons.
Our Opinion
Malham Cove is 100% worth a visit! The village is so cute and the walk is just so encapsulating with not a dull moment. We have done it twice now and it not once disappointed. Its a very popular area, and the route is easy to navigate. Plus its a free of charge piece of beauty to see! We would definitely recommend to take a little picnic and head out for an afternoon here.
