# Malham Cove

> Malham Cove is a curved limestone cliff roughly 70 to 80 metres high and about 300 metres wide, in the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

Source: https://camping-spirit.com/places/malham-cove/

A tall curved wall of limestone, reached on a short path from Malham village, with a natural limestone pavement on top. Wear sturdy shoes, because the gaps between the slabs can be deep and slippery when wet.

Malham Cove is a curved limestone cliff roughly 70 to 80 metres high and about 300 metres wide, in the Yorkshire Dales National Park. During the Ice Age the cliff was a waterfall; today the water sinks underground and the valley above is dry. On top lies a limestone pavement of blocks (clints) separated by fissures (grykes), where protected plants such as hart's-tongue fern grow. Peregrine falcons have nested on the cliff since 1993.

From Malham the cove comes into view after a few hundred metres, and about 400 uneven stone steps on the west side lead up to the pavement. A circular walk taking in the cove, Gordale Scar and Janet's Foss is around 8 kilometres long. Wear sturdy shoes, as the gaps between the slabs are deep and slippery when wet. The falcons can be watched from a staffed viewpoint.

- **Nearest town:** Malham, United Kingdom
- **Category:** Nature & parks
- **GPS:** 54.0723, -2.1561
- **Editor's pick:** ★

## Good to know

**Best time to go:** No month is ideal everywhere on this route; the most pleasant are usually May–September. Cold, short days in January–February. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)

**Getting there:**

- **United Kingdom: Tolls on some roads, bridges or tunnels.** Drive on the left. Some bridges and tunnels charge tolls.

## Sources

- [Malham Cove (Wikipedia)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malham_Cove)
- [Peregrine falcons at Malham Cove (Yorkshire Dales National Park)](https://archive.yorkshiredales.org.uk/visit-the-dales/things-to-see-and-do/what-to-do-to-enjoy-wildlife/peregrine-falcons-at-malham-cove/about-peregrines-malham-cove)
- [A walking guide to Malham Cove (Regatta)](https://www.regatta.com/blog/a-walking-guide-to-malham-cove/)

## Nearby

- [Ribblehead Viaduct](https://camping-spirit.com/places/ribblehead/) – 21 km
- [Aysgarth Falls](https://camping-spirit.com/places/aysgarth-falls/) – 29 km
- [Fountains Abbey](https://camping-spirit.com/places/fountains-abbey/) – 38 km
- [Kirkstone Pass](https://camping-spirit.com/places/b6-kirkstone-pass/) – 66 km

## FAQs

### Where is Malham Cove?

Malham Cove is in Malham, United Kingdom, at GPS 54.0723, -2.1561. It is about 8 km from Settle.

### Can you camp near Malham Cove?

Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Riverside Campsite, about 1 km away; within 25 km there are 75 campsites and motorhome stopovers.

### What is there to see near Malham Cove?

Places worth a stop nearby: Ribblehead Viaduct (21 km), Aysgarth Falls (29 km), Fountains Abbey (38 km) and Kirkstone Pass (66 km).

### When is the best time to visit Malham Cove?

No month is ideal everywhere on this route; the most pleasant are usually May–September. Cold, short days in January–February. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)