Cross a little clapper bridge by River House B&B and head south out of Malham on the Pennine Way, keeping an eye behind for great views of Malham Cove. Turning left on to a path signposted to Janet’s Foss, you pass eastwards though regulated Dale farmland, then plunge into the wooded gorge of Gordale Beck. The path curves northwards to the said Janet’s Foss – a waterfall, and home to Janet, Queen of the local fairies.

Over a road, follow the path into the dramatic gorge of Gordale Scar. Its dark, looming cliffs close in as you walk, crimping together into another waterfall, which you climb. It looks slightly daunting, but there are hand- and foot-holds to guide your ascent. Find the well-worn path to the left at the top. Follow this across exposed limestone pavement, looking left for traces of a deserted medieval village.

Join a road, then almost immediately a gravel track, leaving a walled copse and a prominent hill (Great Close Scar) to your left. At Middle House Farm on the right, take Monks’ Road to the left. Head up the grassy slope, over a shoulder between Great Close and Highfolds Scar, then walk down to the lake of Malham Tarn.

Turn left at the lake, following signs for Pennine Way/Malham Cove; soon you come to the stunning dry gorge of Watlowes. The raging glacial torrent that carved the gorge is now a stream trickling through limestone caves.

The valley opens up to massive views southwards at the top of Malham Cove, a 240ft limestone cliff. About 12,000 years ago, as the Devensian Ice Age retreated, this was a waterfall higher than Niagara. Follow the path right, down the side of Malham Cove, and back along the Pennine Way into the village of Malham.

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The details

Fairies, dales and dramatic scenery

Start
Yorkshire Dales National Park
Authority car park, Malham Village (SD900427)

Length of walk
7.5 miles

Walkers’ pitstop
The Buck Inn, Malham

To stay
www.riverhousehotel.co.uk