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Published: October 16th 2018
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Mark had his lazy day so stayed at Station House watching TV and reading. The rest of us headed off to Malham Cove, driving over the narrow, windy roads on the high empty moors skirting the southern slopes of Scosthrop High Moor. At the Visitor Centre we were recommended a 5 mile walk to Malham Cove and Gordale Scar. The clouds had cleared and we had lovely clear skies for the rest of the walk. As a group of young, noisy, school children set off towards Gordale scar we decided to do the walk in reverse. Will was glad about this as he preferred going up the reported 663 steps rather than down them. (Although when we got there Dad only counted 370 steps!)
The path took us along the pretty Malham Beck to where it emerges from the base of majestic cove. We watched some roped up climbers on the face of the cove then ascended via the steps. At the top we enjoyed our lunches sat on the amazing limestone pavement enjoying the wonderful view down the cove. Dad and I set off exploring the pavement, admiring the rock formations and the view whilst also scouting out the
easiest route across for Will and Mum.
After crossing the limestone pavement we set out across Shorkley Hill towards Gordale Scar. We missed seeing the burial cairn but did spot the remains of the pre-historic settlements. At the Bridge over Gordale Beck we played pooh-sticks then Dad and I set off on the short detour to see Gordale Scar whilst Mum and Will started off back down the stream towards Malham and the car.
Gordale Scar was an impressive gorge, the flat base of which ended with a double waterfall. We scrambled up the rocky side a bit to try to see around the bend. There was a group canyoning up the waterfall, it looked like great fun and I wished we could have joined them! I also spotted a kestrel soaring over the scar.
We then returned along Gordale Beck and contined downstream following the others. The first section was rather rocky but the path leavened out and even turned into an all access path later on! The beck ran through a small woodland which was beautiful and we admired Janet’s Foss – Janet (sometimes
Jennet) is believed to refer to a fairy queen held to
inhabit a cave at the rear of the fall. The beck left the wood and flowed through some fields with a few old laithes (barns) before reaching Malham. We met up at the Old Barn Tea Shop where we had tea and cakes before piling in the car and setting back off across the moors. Dad had the roof down on the car so we ended up wearing more layers in the car than on the walk! Mum & Will in the back were especially frozen! The clouds had returned at this point which didn’t help.
On the way home we stopped at the Courtyard Dairy Cheese Shop where we sampled and purchased a variety of cheeses with great enthusiasm. The rain started aon the way back to the Station house, but luckily Dad had been outvoted and the roof on the car was up!
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