Walk: Malham Tarn, North Yorkshire
This short and easy walk around the wildlife-rich waters of Malham Tarn and beneath the cliffs of Great Close Scar is a Yorkshire Dales classic
Published:
This short walk around Malham Tarn beneath the looming cliffs of Great Close Scar offers ramblers a chance to experience a variety of habitats, from craggy limestone bluffs, to thick forest, peatland and a wildlife-rich upland lake.
At 377 metres above sea level, Malham Tarn is the highest marl (calcium carbonate or lime-rich mud) lake in Britain.
Malham Tarn walk
3.5 miles/5.6km | 2.5 hours | easy
1. Wildlife-rich waters
Park at the Water Sinks Gate car park, the flat expanse of Malham Tarn’s surface glimmering to the north. Walk towards the upland lake and veer right as you reach the water’s edge. The tarn is home to coots, moorhens and gold crested grebes, along with several species of waders and six species of freshwater fish.
2. Beneath rock
Keep the Ha Mire Plantation to your left and make your way north-east towards the towering bulk of Great Close Scar. The limestone cliffs overlook Malham Tarn and are a popular rock-climbing spot.
3. House in the woods
Beyond the scar, bend left into woodland towards Malham Tarn House – a field study centre. Follow the track past a couple of boat houses, looking out for oystercatchers, lapwings and redshanks stepping through the shallows of the lake.
4. The Moss
At Home Farm, turn left and keep to the track. To your left is Tarn Moss. You will soon reach a crossroads. Turn left again and complete the cicuit of the lake back to the car park.
All-terrain Tramper wheelchairs are available for hire from the Malham Tarn Visitor Centre.
Malham Tarn map
Malham Tarn walking route and map
Authors
Danny is the Section Editor of BBC Countryfile Magazine, responsible for commissioning, editing and writing articles that offer ideas and inspiration for exploring the UK countryside. Over the past 15 years he has wandered many great trails, including a 2,000-mile journey through central Europe and, most recently, a 300-mile south-to-north passage through the beautiful mountains and valleys of Wales along the Cambrian Way.
