Malham Cove
Malham, United Kingdom
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
- ★
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
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
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- Kettlewell CampingCampsite11 km from Malham CoveTentsDrinking waterShowersToiletsWi-Fi
- Holgates Ribble ValleyMotorhome stopover19 km from Malham CoveTentsMotorhomesElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposalFree
- Philpin Farm CampsiteCampsite21 km from Malham CoveTentsElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsDogs allowedWi-Fi
- Stablefell CampingCampsite22 km from Malham CoveTentsDrinking waterShowersToilets
- Meadow FallsCampsite23 km from Malham CoveTentsCaravansMotorhomesDogs allowed
- Streethead Caravan ParkCampsite24 km from Malham CoveTentsCaravansShowersToilets
All campsites in United Kingdom · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
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)