Walking trail
Malham Tarn extended circular route for trampers
This extended route takes in an extra off-road section which gives great views of Malham Tarn.
Discover England's highest lime-rich lake, home to a unique community of rare plants and animals. It is an area of outstanding moorland uplands, with flower-rich hay meadows, varied birdlife and awe-inspiring vistas.
Map
Start:
Malham Tarn office, grid ref: SD886674
1
Turn left out of the Estate Office and then turn right at the post box and follow the track along until you reach the road. Turn left onto the road, being extra careful and aware of other road users. Turn left at the junction and follow the road up past High Trenhouse Conference Centre.
2
At the crossroads, turn left and follow this road over the cattle grid, past Low Trenhouse farm, and past the car park at Watersinks.
Watersinks
Malham Tarn lies in a natural hollow formed in the boulder clay, overlying a bed of impervious Silurian slate. Surprisingly, the water leaves the Tarn at Watersinks, but does not reappear at the base of Malham Cove, but just over 2 miles (3.2km) downstream at Airehead.
3
As the road starts to bend around to the right towards Malham village, leave the road and continue straight on towards the gate in front of you. Turn left onto the track just before you get to the gate.
4
Pass over the cattle grid and through the gate. Do not take the short cut across the grass, but continue on and turn left after approximately 110yd (100m) and follow the grassy track which goes behind the woodland. Continue on this track and enjoy the majestic views of Malham Tarn as it appears in front of you. This is a particularly rough and uneven section of track, which can be particularly wet after heavy rain; please go slowly, picking your best route, and take extra care over the uneven sections.
Malham Tarn
This permanent source of fresh water has long formed the focus for human activity. Flint artefacts dating from the Mesolithic to the Bronze Age indicate that this area was an important seasonal hunting ground. The tarn has been used as a fishery since medieval times, when the monks of Fountains Abbey stocked it with fish. It's still used today for fishing, although there's now a strict catch and release policy.
5
Turn right onto to the track following the shore of Malham Tarn on your left. Continue over the cattle grid and up the hill through the woodland.
6
Continue around to the right of Tarn House and follow the track back downhill, passing a row of cottages on your right, and finishing at the Estate Office.
The Orchid House
The Orchid House was a heated Victorian greenhouse, probably used to grow orchids and exotic plants. It has been recently renovated into a small exhibition area, and an education room for us to use with the groups that visit and work with us.
End:
Malham Tarn office, grid ref: SD886674
