Malham RFM Blue Line Walking with the kids

 

Malham

RFM Blue Line 

Walking with the kids

This is the classic Malham Circular walk but it isn't a stroll. We arrived at Malham Tarn car park about 10.15 after the sat nav took us there via Settle. It seemed a long way out of the way but I always trust the sat nav so perhaps there were issues between Skipton and Malham, who knows. The bonus was that we got a fantastic view of Pen-y-Ghent and we discussed the options of walking up it in the future. These kids are adventurous.

For me the classic Malham circuit starts at the Tarn. This avoids climbing Gordale Scar and allows the best views of the Cove as you approach it from Malham. For seasoned walkers this is a relatively easy circuit but it's not so for the novice. There are some steep up and downs and  lots of rocks and rough ground. The kids were as ever positive and looking forward to the walk. They had researched Malham so were aware of the main attractions and that parts of Harry Potter were filmed there.

The cows were calm in this vast stretch of rugged pasture, seemingly oblivious to the stunning limestone landscape.

We followed the farmers lane towards the junction with the road near Street Gate and the Roman fort. This straight line lane must have been Roman but the the map doesn't indicate so. We had to wait for a few minutes at the road junction because of a minor medical emergency, a nose bleed. The start of this walk was designed to lull the kids into a false sense of security as they wander over the grassy uplands exploring the relatively easy to cross terrain.

We headed down the vestigal lane towards Gordale Scar. The map indicated this was a settlement and there were definite signs of humps and bumps on the side of the grassy lane. I wondered if this was the Vicus (native village) associated with the Roman fort but it turns out the fort was a marching camp and probably only used for a few years whilst the Brigantes were subdued so it is unlikely. The question remains then who would want to live in such an exposed location?

The current population were happy enough and very tolerant of walkers, they probably saw hundreds each day.

The emergence of the ravine on our left was in its own way spectacular. I do not know the details of how the end of the ice-ages and the drainage of the ice sheets through this area created these features but they are impressive.

The panoramic view gives an idea of the extent of the ravine with its limestone out crops.

I was happy enough to walk through this herd of cows but there were a couple of calves so I decided after making a mental risk assessment it was safer to take the kids around them. The ravine continued along our left side as we looked out for our path to the right to avoid the waterfall climb.

The route took us along the edge of Gordale Scar and the views were just spectacular. We were passing the occasional walker doing the circuit in reverse.

We spent quite a while up here just looking at the views. I have never been at this viewpoint so it was much better than I was expecting. I also liked the Herdwick sheep, reminded me of the lakes.

The views going down the hill at from New Close Knotts to Gordale Bridge were wonderful. Its hard not to be proud of Yorkshire in such places. Lola struggled a little on this steep slope but Lacey and Max helped her.

       

Yes Lola you did climb down that hill, well done. 

 

   

Gordale Scar is such an awe inspiring place that  we decided to have our sandwich and rest here rather than Janet's Foss. The kids agreed climbing the waterfall was potentially dangerous although many were going up it, just as many were also abandoning the climb as too difficult. We spent a long time here, longer than I wanted but the kids were enjoying exploring so much I just had to let them have the time to satisfy their curiosity.

Eventually we left and went back to the road and along to Janets Foss which is close to the scar. The pitiful amount of water flowing over the waterfall reflects the dryness of the summer but the kids were still impressed.

The road to Malham starts with a very steep climb which does give a good view back to the ravine that is Gordale Scar. There are few cars on the road so it was safe to walk along although it is a single track.

Approaching Malham the village looked timeless but there were a lot of cars parked along the road and in the large car park.

This beautiful cat graced a very old roadside house.

The swallows were massing on the wires. 

Not as common a sight as it once was.  

This bridge in Malham sits in my memory of the time we camped in Malham when I was a teenager. I may have recounted some tales of the visit to the kids after all its a Grandads job to be a storyteller.

Approaching the Cove from the village gives the best view of this impressive old waterfall. There were lots of other tourists and some Belted Galloways, even one paddling. The Cove is the main event for Malham and it doesn't disappoint.

A long climb up about 400 steps, I think Max counted a few more and Lola a few less so we settled on 400. This is a 250 foot climb and even after a long walk the kids did it relatively easily, they must be getting fitter.

Its a long way down from the limestone pavement to the bottom of the Cove so I was glad the kids were happy to avoid the edge.

We were not the only visitors. Lacey and Lola knew exactly where the scene appeared in Harry Potter whilst I told them about the Clints and Grykes making up the limestone pavement, I think Potter was more interesting.

We left the top of the Cove along the Pennine Way. The tourists were not coming this way only ramblers. That sounds a bit dismissive but I admire the variety of people who climb up and down this incredilble landscape feature possibly way out of their comfort zone.

The way out of the rocky valley is another less defined staircase that is difficult to get up. The rocky path is a struggle to pass but it is a relatively short and dramatic stretch. Its actually one of my favourite parts of the Malham area. I hear Mr Ellerby on practically every step of this walk and I thank him from the bottom of my heart for instilling a love for the landscape into my soul.

If I can pass some of that on to the next generation I will be a happy man.

The last grassy valley back to the car was an easy end to the walk and featured a new bird for my birding list, a Wheatear. If I had set out to see one I would probably have failed so it is great to stumble across a few to end this adventure.

We came across a large asian group as we approached the car park. I chatted with a lady trying to herd 2 small children back to their cars. She was asking about the walk and I gave her some tips on where to go to park and approach the key features without trying to walk 7 miles with the elderly people and tiny kids in their group. I hope I was of some use. There were a lot of taxis in the area today so I am guessing it wa a taxi driver day out. 

Its definitely a place you can fill your lungs and feed your inner being with the joy of the wonders that are Malham.

Over 8 miles and nearly 1300 feet of ascent is a good walk over rough and rocky terrain. The points of interest make it easier as there is always something to see and experience on this walk. The amount of non ramblers did not detract from this walk in any way if anything they added to it.

The kids did well again. This is Lola's second long walk and she has taken to it like a duck to water. Its not always easy for her and there are moments of doubt, fear, pain (feet) and anxiety but these challenges will make her stronger just as they have Lacey and Max.

Its a joy to walk with these 3 but you can see from the speed we were not quick partly because there was so much to take in. I think we created some great memories and I hope when I am long gone the memories will be passed on to future gereations just like Mr Ellerbys.

OS Map

https://explore.osmaps.com/route/28332912/malham?lat=54.07918&lon=-2.17523&zoom=12.4756&style=Aerial&type=2d