Gordale Scar and Malham Cove Extended Circular

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.

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.

Malham National Park Visitor Centre car park

54.0602, -2.1558