A Summer Walk in Malham with Matthew Wolfenden and Roxy Shahidi

Beginning and ending in the picture-perfect village of Malham, this circular walk takes in some of the Dales’ most striking natural features, from the woodland waterfall at Janet’s Foss to the breathtaking waterfall cascading through the towering limestone walls of Gordale Scar. The route builds in both drama and scale, culminating in the unmistakable sweep of Malham Cove; a vast natural amphitheatre that has become one of Yorkshire’s defining landscapes. It’s not without its challenges though. The climb up the Cove’s steep stone steps is enough to get your heart pumping and the legs burning, but it only adds to the sense of reward at the top.

As ever, the reward at the end is just as important as the walk itself. Back in the heart of the village, right on the green, The Lister Arms is perfectly placed for a well-earned stop. Hearty food, a good pint, and that unmistakable post-walk atmosphere. Or, if the sun’s out, keep it simple with an ice cream from Malham Ice Cream Shop and take a seat outside, watching village life gently tick by.

Let’s Walk…

We set off early from the centre of Malham, the village just beginning to stir. There’s a quiet charm to the Dales at this hour; soft light catching the stone cottages, a stillness that lingers before the day properly begins.

The path leads gently out towards Janet’s Foss, easing you in through a stretch of woodland. You hear the water before you see it; a steady rush over rock, tucked beneath a canopy of trees. Then it reveals itself – a small but perfectly formed waterfall, framed by moss-covered stone and greenery. According to local legend, a fairy queen once lived here, and standing there, it’s not hard to understand why.

From here, the landscape begins to shift. The path climbs and opens out towards Gordale Scar, and the scale changes almost instantly. Limestone cliffs rise steeply on either side, forming a dramatic ravine that feels far removed from the gentle start. At its centre, a waterfall cuts through the rock; a natural pause in the walk. Some choose to scramble beside it, others simply take in the scene, but either way it’s a moment that stays with you.

The Climb to the Cove

Leaving the gorge behind, the route loops back across open countryside. This is where the season really comes into its own; wildflowers edging the paths, fresh greens stretching across the landscape, and a sense of space the Yorkshire Dales do so well.

Gradually, the path draws you towards Malham Cove, though its full scale only becomes apparent when you reach its base – and then you look up. A vast curved wall of limestone rises above you, sheer and imposing. Once a waterfall at the end of the last Ice Age, it now stands as one of the most striking natural features in the country.

A climb of those epic stone steps leads to the top. Just enough to raise the pulse, and the lactic acid in the legs a little; but the reward is immediate. The limestone pavement stretches out across the plateau, a mosaic of weathered rock split by deep fissures. It’s a landscape that feels almost otherworldly, and instantly recognisable as a filming location from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part One.

But it’s the view that truly stops you. From the top of Malham Cove, the Dales open out in every direction – soft green valleys, dry stone walls tracing the landscape, and that sense of space Yorkshire does so well. It’s the kind of place that naturally slows you down. We found a spot, shrugged off our coats in the warmth, and just sat for a moment, taking it all in.

Matt: ‘Told you it was worth the climb.’
Roxy: ‘You weren’t wrong.’

It’s one of those rare pauses in a walk, not just to catch your breath, but to properly take in where you are…

Matt: ‘Okay, I think it’s time to make a move.’
Roxy: ‘Yes… There’s a glass of red with my name on it at The Lister Arms!’

From the top of the Cove, the route softens. The path gently descends back towards Malham, offering one last sweeping view of the surrounding countryside. By the time we return, the village is busier, walkers arriving and setting out along the same route. For us though, there’s only one direction left to go.

No Yorkshire walk is complete without it, and in Malham, that means The Lister Arms. Warm, welcoming, and exactly what you want after a few miles on foot. Whether it’s a drink in the garden or something more substantial inside, it’s the perfect place to round things off.

At just over five miles, this is a walk that delivers far more than its distance suggests. Waterfalls, woodland, dramatic limestone scenery, and one of the most recognisable landscapes in the UK – all within a single, well-paced loop.

Late spring into early summer is the ideal time to visit, with lively waterfalls, wildflowers in bloom, and long, light-filled days that encourage you to linger.

Yorkshire’s ‘mini Grand Canyon’? Perhaps. But like most things here, it doesn’t need comparison. It stands perfectly well on its own.

For more from Matt and Roxy, tune into their podcast, Matt & Roxy’s Quick Natter, and follow them on Instagram at @mattandroxyspod