Thursday 3rd April 2008

 

Start Point : Malham (SD 900 627)

                   

Distance : 7.0 miles          Height Ascended : 390 metres

 

Route Map

Today’s walk closely followed A. Wainwright’s Gordale Scar, Malham Tarm & Malham Cove walk in his book

‘Walks in Limestone Country’ which he describes as :-

 ‘Limestone scenery at its very best and most impressive. A superb walk in unique surroundings’.

 

The approach to Gordale Scar from Gordale Lane

 

Janet's Foss

 

Gordale Beck below Janet's Foss

 

The dramatic approach to Gordale Scar

 

Gordale Scar a great limestone gorge near Malham some 400 feet deep.

It is a spectacular feature of the Craven Fault and believed to be the remains

of a huge underground cavern whose roof collapsed around the time of the last ice age

 

The climber on the huge boulder at the foot of the gorge gives some idea of scale.

(I decided to avoid this potentially slippy climb and take a more sedate route up and around the western edge of the ravine)

 

Looking south from the climb up New Close Knotts.

 

Looking down on Hawthorns Lane and the pattern of field boundaries that is typical of the Yorkshire Dales

 

Looking down to Gordale Scar

 

Another spectacular view of Gordale Scar (ample reward for the detour)

 

Limestone cliffs at the upper end of Gordale Scar

 

The smooth grassy tops of Malham Lings and a rare break in the otherwise overcast skies

 

Boxers on tour - Millie, Martha and Bruce

 

Malham Tarn House (and boathouse) across Malham Tarn

 

Martha and Bruce cooling off near Water Sinks

 

Wheatear

 

Approaching the top of Malham Cove

 

Limestone pavement above Malham Cove and the characteristic Clints (the blocks) and Grykes (the gaps)

 

Looking down on the village of Malham and Airedale from the top of Malham Cove

 

Malham Cove

 

Malham Cove and Malham Beck

 

More characteristic drystone wall field boundary markings north of Malham village