For all its valleys, ridges and Pennine contours, the Yorkshire Dales National Park can be explored without blustery scrambles or craggy ascents. Landmark sights such as Cotter Force waterfall and Ribblehead Viaduct — the latter loomed over by some of the largest mountains in the Dales — have wheelchair-accessible paths, and the National Park’s own website has a dedicated list of other Miles Without Stiles walks.
Two of these paths convene on YHA Malham, making them the focus of this issue’s walk of the season. The hostel sits in the historical village of Malham, a small but charming settlement surrounded by imposing limestone scenery. The Pennine Way runs straight through the village, and the drama of the landscape even saw some of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 being filmed in the vicinity.
Two accessible walks can be done from the hostel’s front door: a 2.6-mile return to the dramatic ravine of Gordale Scar and a 1.9-mile return to the curving cliff of Malham Cove. They can, of course, be done in either order or singularly, and the fact that both are out-and-back routes makes it easy to take a break in Malham between the two (the village’s dog-friendly, stone-clad Lister Arms has been open since 1723 and serves as an atmospheric pitstop).
If you’re in the Dales for a while, another great option for an accessible activity is the famous Settle to Carlisle Railway.
The line’s southern terminus, Settle, is around a 20-minute drive from the hostel — access for wheelchairs is good, but the advice is to arrive 15 or 20 minutes before departure to allow station staff enough time to assist. The line itself was first constructed in the 1870s and remains a real feat of engineering, stretching for 73 miles through spectacular Dales scenery.
Gordale Scar and Malham Cove walking map
Distance: 4.5 miles (7.3km)
Ascent: 173m (568ft)
Time: Allow 2h to 3h 15m
Rating: 26 (moderate) - Longer walks, requiring a morning or afternoon
Start/finish: YHA Malham
Directions
- From hostel turn L towards village, then turn L at pub onto Finkle Street and continue along Gordale Lane to gated entrance to Gordale Scar.
- Follow path to Gordale Scar. Turn around when path becomes rocky and retrace route to Malham.
- Turn R by pub to return to hostel if stopping. Or, for Malham Cove, continue ahead and cross over small bridge.
- Turn R onto Cove Road.
- Pass through gate on R to Malham Tarn Estate and follow path to base of Malham Cove.
- Turn around and retrace route back to Malham and to hostel.
This route has been created by YHA to provide inspiration and to aid planning and preparation of your walk. It doesn’t replace the need for an OS Map or the OS Maps App to navigate your walk safely. Digital maps are a guide and do not always reflect the conditions on the ground, ensure you are aware of your immediate surroundings.
Produced by Matt Overd (https://walkingpace.uk). Contributions from Debbie North & Simon Ainley. © Crown copyright and database rights 2020 Ordnance Survey 1000+99+5. For full terms and conditions please visit www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/legal/os-maps-terms
