When in the Yorkshire Dales, you cannot miss the cute little village of Malham, plus a visit to the famous Harry Potter Filming location Malham Cove and the beautiful Malham Tarn. They’re both iconic natural landmarks you will want to take advantage of while you’re in the area.
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The Basics!
Malham Cove: Malham Cove is a dramatic, large limestone amphitheatre-shaped cliff formation that rises approximately 80 meters high. At the top, you can take in the exposed surface of weathered limestone rock, which features a range of distinctive patterns of clints and fissures created by erosion over the years. The rock face itself is almost as impressive as the view from the top.
Malham Tarn: Malham Tarn is a glacial lake and one of the highest natural freshwater lakes in England. It is home to a diverse range of habitats, making it an essential spot for biodiversity. This does mean you are unable to fish/swim or do any water sports on the tarn.
When’s The Best Time to Visit Malham?
The dales are beautiful all year round; the kind of scenery you prefer will ultimately dictate when is the best time to visit.
Spring: We visited in (very) early spring. It was still cold, blustery and a bit muddy, but certain wildflowers were in bloom. Visiting at this time means it’s not too busy, making it ideal for taking photographs.
Summer: If you want guaranteed good weather (as guaranteed as possible in the UK), then between June and August is your best bet. However, this is during the school holidays, so expect more crowds than usual.
Autumn: Autumn showcases stunning foliage as the leaves change colour, creating a beautiful backdrop for outdoor adventures. The weather tends to be cooler, but the crowds diminish compared to summer.
Winter: If you’re looking for an extremely peaceful visit, winter might be for you. However, you’ll need to layer up against the cold and expect more challenging weather conditions.
Where Should I Park When Visiting Malham? (Two Options)
There are two popular options for where you should park and the route you’ll take to hit these two iconic landmarks. You can either park at the National Park Centre. The price for up to two hours is £2.70, and over two hours is £4.80. From here, there is a well-maintained footpath up to the Cove, which soon turns into steep but solid steps that’ll take you to the top!
Once you’ve given your legs a solid workout and arrived at the top, you’ll be able to take in the view of the stunning English countryside and enjoy the iconic Harry Potter filming spot. The spot at the top of Malham Cove was used in Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows when Harry and Hermione set up camp in a tent on the limestone tops.
March on To Malham Tarn
Once you’ve given your legs a rest you can press on to Malham Tarn. From the top of Malham Cove, there are two route options. (See Maps Below) One takes you through the Dry Valley. This is a beautiful walk, but extremely rocky so you’ll need sturdy shoes. Alternativly, you can take the route right of the Dry Valley, which takes you over the top on a grassy route, which is much kinder on the ankles, but not as beautiful in our opinion.
Following either of these routes will take you up to the Watersinks Car Park. From here, follow the circular route up to the Malham Tarn Estate.
The bonus of doing the route from the village of Malham means at the end, you’ll have your choice of quaint pubs to enjoy and warm up in!
Starting at the Waters inks Car Park: Alternative Route
Rather than parking in the village of Malham, you can begin your hike at the (free) Watersinks Car Park. From here, you can start the circular route along the Pennine Way to the Malham Tarn Estate. It’ll bring you back on yourself to the car park, where you can start the second portion of your hike towards Malham Cove.
Rather than doing the gruelling steps, this route brings you out at the top of the Cove. While it’s still a somewhat challenging route, the path is less maintained and feels more wild.
We chose this route, it was less busy, the parking was free, and it meant we could swing by the van on our way from the tarn, to the Cove for a coffee and a little lunch. The watersinks car park is less popular, and so a good option for vans if the village car park is looking a little full!
What Else Can I See in the Area?
Whichever route you choose, when you come up to the Watersinks car park, check out the map to help you locate the Watersinks themselves. “Watersinks” refers to features in the landscape where water from the tarn or surrounding streams disappears underground into the limestone bedrock. For more to-do in Yorkshire, click here.
Are the Routes Dog Friendly?
While, both routes are certainly dog friendly, there are cows and bulls milling around, so it’s important to keep your dog on a lead during your visit.
If you’re in the Yorkshire Dales, this walk is the perfect way to cross two stunning natural wonders off your to-do list! Will you be taking on this hike?