Gordale Scar and Malham Cove Extended Circular
North Yorkshire
The Gordale Scar and Malham Cove extended circular is the Dales at its most theatrical, and it is a dog friendly walk for anyone used to stiles, steep stone steps and busy paths. From the Malham Visitor Centre you head first to the woodland waterfall at Janet's Foss, walk up to the towering cleft of Gordale Scar, then climb onto the high ground past Malham Tarn before descending the 400 stone steps to the limestone pavement on top of Malham Cove.
Sheep are in the fields throughout the year and cattle appear on the tarn plateau in summer, so leads are essential across every field section. The Gordale Scar scramble past the waterfall is awkward for dogs, so most walkers take the bypass path up the side. Facilities are excellent with the National Park Visitor Centre offering toilets, information and a large pay and display car park, plus two pubs, a café and a shop in Malham village.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 13.0 km (8.1 miles)
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Duration
- 4 hr 30 min
- Walk Type
- Moorland, Waterfall
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Low
- Livestock Risk
- High
- Facilities
- Malham Visitor Centre has toilets and information, and Malham village has two pubs, a café and a village shop.
- Parking
- Pay and display car park at Malham National Park Visitor Centre (BD23 4DA); fills early on sunny weekends, with limited roadside as backup.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Gordale Scar and Malham Cove Extended Circular dog friendly?
This walk is dog friendly and rates 7 out of 10, making it a solid choice for dogs whose owners are comfortable with stiles, steep stone steps and busier paths. It's a spectacular route through some of the Yorkshire Dales' most dramatic scenery, linking Janet's Foss waterfall, Gordale Scar and the limestone pavement above Malham Cove, and is well set up with good facilities in the village and at the National Park Visitor Centre.
Can dogs be off lead at Gordale Scar and Malham Cove Extended Circular?
Leads are essential across all field sections, as sheep are present throughout the year and cattle graze the tarn plateau in summer. There's no mention of any dedicated off-lead areas on this route, so it's best to treat it as an on-lead walk for the majority of the way.
What should I know before visiting Gordale Scar and Malham Cove Extended Circular with my dog?
The main thing to be aware of is the Gordale Scar scramble past the waterfall, which is awkward for dogs — most walkers take the bypass path up the side instead, so factor that in when planning. It's also worth arriving early on sunny weekends, as the pay and display car park at Malham National Park Visitor Centre (BD23 4DA) fills up quickly and roadside parking is limited.
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