As I said in my things to do this month, this walk is super easy and starts and ends near two pubs! It will only take you about 1 hour or 1 ½ hours at most. If you wanted to make the walk slightly longer then see the additional route to Malham Cove at the end. I do this walk with my family on Christmas Eve, it gets you out of the house for a few hours and you can have a lovely lunch before the festivities really commence! ?
Even though this walk is not very long always take some water with you and adhere to the Countryside Code.
There is a pay and display car park at the National Park Centre. I always park here as I can’t resist having a quick look in the National Park Centre Gift Shop. ?
Follow on past the gift shop and turn left along the road walking towards the village. Pass the Church and Café, then just before you reach the Buck Inn, cross the road before Malham Smithy and pass to the right of the quaint building. Immediately cross over the stone bridge and turn right along the gravel path.
Then simply follow this path along the beck all the way to Janet’s Foss Waterfall. There are a few kissing style gates and you will head into the woods and climb slightly to the waterfall.
See if you can spot the penny tree trunk and slot in your own coin.
Foss is the old Scandinavian name for waterfall and according to the legend Janet, queen of the fairies, lived in a cave behind the waterfall. Hence the name Janet’s Foss.
At the waterfall go past the information board and along the wall. Climb up the stones to reach the path just before the wooden gate.
To the right of the gate, most days, you will see a catering van in a small layby near the bridge, this is the perfect stop for an ice-cream or coffee before either returning to the village or taking the longer route to Malham Cove.
To return to the village head back towards the right and go up the hill. Then simply follow the road back to the village where you will find the Listers Arms on your right. Their roast dinners are fabulous!
Following a bite to eat and a drink simply follow the main road out of the village back to the car park.
If you want to try the longer route pass through the gate at the side of the layby which is signposted Malham Cove 1 mile. The path can be seen in the grass heading away from the wall and towards a wall corner and then continues along left hand side of the wall. Walk along until you reach a wooden kissing gate.
Pass through the gate and head diagonally right across the next field towards the stone steps and the gate in the corner of the field. Climb the steps, pass through the gate and turn left along the wall. Go down to and pass through a wooden gate at the wall junction, then continue on up along the same wall.
Follow the gravelled path along the right-hand side of the wall. Go up to the gate and turn right onto the road.
On the road turn immediately left over a stile on the opposite wall. Walk directly away from the wall on the path, over a slight rise and then keep following the same direction.
The path then slowly climbs, pulls in besides a wall and then goes along the right-hand side of the wall towards a sign. At the sign in the corner head diagonally left towards the limestone pavement on top of the cove. Walk across the cove (avoid going to near the edge and be careful as the pavement can be very slippery even when it is dry). It is easier to keep to the right of the pavement as you cross the cove.
At the other side of the cove turn left down the side of the wall and pass through the kissing gate. Taking care head down the man-made steps passing through the gates to reach the bottom of the cove.
Follow the clear pathway all the way to the road. At the road turn left and make your way back towards the village centre. You will come to the cross road and the @Listers Arms can be seen on your left or the Buck Inn towards your right.
Follow the route back to the car park as described previously.
Don’t forget to take some photos along the route. Let me know your favourite dish from the Listers Arms or the Buck Inn.
Rachael
xxx
