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Yorkshire And The Humber

Malham

Malham Cove – Limestone Pavement at Malham Cove loop from Malham

Routes

Hiking trails & Routes

United Kingdom

England

Yorkshire And The Humber

Malham

Malham Cove – Limestone Pavement at Malham Cove loop from Malham

Easy

4.8

(30)

264

hikers

Malham Cove – Limestone Pavement at Malham Cove loop from Malham

01:32

5.16km

140m

Hiking

Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.

Last updated: April 15, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through a protected area

Please check local regulations for:

Yorkshire Dales National Park

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

207 m

Malham Village

Highlight • Settlement

Malham is one of the Dales' most popular little villages. It's worth a visit just to enjoy its quaint cafes, boutiques and lovely pubs. However, the village is synonymous with two of the national park's most stunning beauty spots.

Firstly, there's Malham Cove, an extraordinary 230-foot (70 m) curved limestone cliff that's much loved by hikers and rock climbers alike. Then, there's the great cleft of Gordale Scar. This spectacular limestone gorge and its tumbling waterfall was thought to be the inspiration behind JRR Tolkien's Helm's Deep.

Tip by

1.42 km

Malham Cove and Malham Beck

Highlight • Natural Monument

Bring a microfiber towel with you to dry off your feet after dipping them in the water!

Tip by

1.71 km

Malham Cove

Highlight • Natural Monument

The 230 feet (70 m) high, gently curving cliff of Malham Cove will take your breath away. A spectacular geological formation in its own right, the views from above the white limestone cliffs are utterly breathtaking.

Over the last 1.5 million years, Malham was covered with huge sheets of glacial ice at least three times. As these glaciers ground over the landscape, they sculpted many awe-inspiring spectacles, including Malham Cove.

Tip by

2.28 km

Malham Cove Steps

Highlight (Segment) • Trail

The steps up to the Cove are a nice little challenge. Enjoyable to walk up with others, as the shared experience leads to a few 'hellos' and a little humour. Once you get to the top it's nice to sit on the Cove and 'people-watch' to see the various 'conditions' that people arrive in, that's when you have managed to catch your own breath of course!

Tip by

2.56 km

Top of Malham Cove

Highlight • Natural

very slippery

Tip by

2.73 km

Limestone Pavement at Malham Cove

Highlight • Natural Monument

Most people walk from Malham village up to the Cove using the road ways. There's actually an alternative route up past the pub, which takes you higher up. I find this is better for photos of the Cove. Once you're up on the top, after a break on the steps, don't miss out on the Malham Tarn further along. It's only an extra 10-15 minute walk and worth a visit, especially during the summer months.

Tip by

3.16 km

Sheriff Hill

Highlight • Natural

Heading from the ascent and summit you’ll soon find yourself in the middle of more fields that look seemingly untouched, save for the traditional dry-stone walls. Reaching the signpost, follow the route to Sheriff Hill, and then onto Shorkley Hill where you’ll momentarily join Malham Rakes Road.

Tip by

4.83 km

Malham Village Hall

Highlight • Settlement

A good place to start different walks from

Tip by

5.16 km

End point

Parking

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

2.38 km

1.78 km

579 m

292 m

118 m

Surfaces

1.75 km

1.05 km

916 m

800 m

434 m

193 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Highest point (320 m)

Lowest point (190 m)

Weather

Monday 1 June

16°C

11°C

70 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 22.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Our route recommendations are based on thousands of hikes, rides, and runs completed by other people on komoot.

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Malham Cove – Limestone Pavement at Malham Cove loop from Malham

Malham Village

Malham Cove and Malham Beck

Malham Cove

Malham Cove Steps

Top of Malham Cove

Limestone Pavement at Malham Cove

Sheriff Hill

Malham Village Hall

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