Malham Tarn trail for Trampers, Malham

🥾 Walking route

Malham Tarn trail for Trampers, Malham

North Yorkshire

  • 📏 5.3 km · 3.3 mi
  • ⛰ +146 m
  • ⏱ 1 hr 30 min
  • 🐕 On lead

Walk stats

  • Distance5.3 km · 3.3 mi
  • Elevation+146 m
  • Duration1 hr 30 min
  • DifficultyEasy
  • Route typeLinear
  • TerrainFirm upland tracks, gentle gradients, limestone country
  • Best seasonLate spring to early autumn
  • DogsDogs welcome on leads, livestock country

About this walk

This 5.3 km linear route in the Yorkshire Dales has been designed with Tramper all-terrain mobility scooters in mind, opening up the dramatic upland landscape around Malham Tarn to a wider range of walkers. With around 146 m of ascent spread over an hour and a half, it offers a manageable outing with big rewards in scenery.

The trail sets off near Malham and works its way up towards the tarn, passing the hamlet of Water Houses along the way. Underfoot the surface is firm enough for wheels yet still feels distinctly rural, threading between dry stone walls, rough pasture and the open fell that characterises this corner of North Yorkshire.

Malham Tarn itself sits high on the limestone plateau, one of the highest natural lakes in England, and the views open out as you approach. Nearby Great Close Scar adds a craggy backdrop of pale limestone, typical of the dales country around Malham. As a linear route, you can either retrace your steps or arrange a pick-up at the far end.

Route map

Route line drawn from OpenStreetMap footpath data. Numbered markers are waypoints on the route; amber star markers are points of interest a short detour away.

Waypoints along the route

6 waypoints along the way

  • 1

    Water Houses

  • 2

    old gravel pit

  • 3

    Malhamdale

  • 4

    Malham Water

  • 5

    Lings Plantation

  • 6

    Highfolds Scar

Worth a short detour

Points of interest just off the route, look for the amber markers on the map.

  • Great Close Scar

    ~359 m off the route

  • Malham Tarn

    ~469 m off the route

  • Tarn Moss

    ~268 m off the route

  • Cow Pasture

    ~338 m off the route

  • Tarn Close

    ~340 m off the route

Route & waypoint data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).

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Malham Tarn trail for Trampers, Malham · Great Scenic Journeys