This is our favourite walk around Malhamdale. Starting off in Malham itself, the walk begins with a traditional Yorkshire backdrop of stone walls and gently rolling hills.
Easy going for a while but as you approach the sheer face of Malham Cove, you start to appreciate the scale of the climb ahead of you. It's manageable though, but probably best not to count all those steps as you go (was it 400?). Climbing up the left hand side of the cliff face, on reaching the top you have to turn around and take in the view from here!
We took a brief rest here before proceeding across the limestone pavement and down into the valley to Gordale Bridge. It is definitely worth the short linear detour from here to the impressive Gordale Scar gorge and waterfall. Somehow it seems irresistible for people to remove their boots and socks and dip their toes into the cooling water.
From Gordale Bridge, the return route takes you through very different scenery, leaving the open moorland behind as you discover the hidden Janet's Foss. This is a complete contrast to what you have seen before, under heavy deciduous woodland whose canopy seems to hold in the humidity created by the waterfall and pool.
On leaving the woodland behind and emerging once more into open country, the late afternoon light created a striking image of these cows with their black and white colouring creating a stong contrast against the rich green of the pasture and grey/blue of the sky.
From here we touched the Pennine Way for just a short stretch and with the light fading we continued on our way back to Malham.
Now here there is a choice of two pubs, neither at the budget end of the spectrum but fairly priced for the good quality food they both offer. This time we visited the creeper-covered Lister Arms which has plenty of outdoor seating overlooking the green and I thoroughly enjoyed my Steak and Thwaites Nutty Black Ale Pie.
Next time I shall try The Buck Inn which offers award-winning sausages and their 'Malham and Masham pie' and, better still, all their dishes come with vegetables included - not always the case with the Lister Arms!
To download the walking leaflet for this and other pub walks in the area, simply go to Malhamdale pub walks.
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