Yorkshire

Malham Tarn National Nature Reserve walk

A scenic walk around the National Nature Reserve. This route goes along the boardwalk, through woodland and into limestone pasture. In spring and summer there is always a colourful display of wildflowers to see, including the striking yellow globeflower or bright pink and purple orchids. Look out for butterflies and dragonflies too.

Near to

Yorkshire Dales

Start point

Waterhouses car park, BD24 9PT.

Trail information

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Difficulty*

Accessibility**

Full trail

DistanceMiles: 2 (km: 3.2)

Duration1 hour to 1.5 hours

Not suitable for dogs

*Mostly boardwalk, unmade tracks and grassy footpaths. There may be livestock on this route. For further details, please see Terrain section.
**Boardwalk, gravel tracks and grassy paths with uneven footing. For further details, please see section marked Access.

Address
Waterhouses, Settle, North Yorkshire, BD24 9PT
Directions via Google Maps
By train
Settle station is about 7.5 miles (12km) away. Horton-in-Ribblesdale station is about 10 miles (16.1km) away. Skipton station is about 14.5 miles (23.3km) away.
By bus
From Skipton: services run from Skipton to Malham village. Please follow the link to view the latest timetable.
Dalesbus
By road
From Settle: Head out of Settle on the B6479 before turning right onto Main Street. Follow Main Street, (which eventually becomes Henside Lane), for about 4 miles (6.4km). Then turn right, following signs for Langcliffe and Settle. At the next junction, take the second left exit to head straight ahead for 1.7 miles (2.7km) before parking up close to the gate on the corner.
From Skipton: Take the A59 west to join the A65. After 2.5 miles (4km) turn right onto Ray Bridge Lane. At the T-junction, turn right onto Eshton Road. Follow this road through farmland and straight through Airton and Kirby. At Malham take the right turning opposite The Buck Inn, signposted Malham Tarn. Turn left onto Malham Rakes and follow this road for 2 miles (3.2km). Turn right at the crossroads and park up close to the gate.
Total stages: 6
Total stages: 6
Start point
Waterhouses car park, BD24 9PT.
Stage 1
This route follows the orange waymarkers. From the car park follow the track, keeping the buildings on your left, for a short way until you see a red post box and an unmade track on your right. Turn right down the track.
Stage 2
Continue on this track until you reach the entrance to the National Nature Reserve on your left. Go through the gate and follow the boardwalk straight ahead continuing round until you come to a t- junction. Turn right and follow the boardwalk footpath to where the boardwalk ends and becomes a rough footpath. Follow this path and go through a gate, then turn right onto a track.
Stage 3
Follow the track through the woods to Tarn House. Just before the buildings turn left turn up a hill.
Stage 4
As you approach the top of the hill (before you reach the buildings) you’ll see a footpath to the left and a gate in the wall. Follow this path and go through the gate into a field. Walk straight ahead across the field through an open gateway. From here, follow the orange waymarkers down towards the corner of the wood.
Stage 5
As you approach a rocky outcrop on your right bear left heading down towards a gate in the wall. Go through the gate and turn left onto the Pennine Way, following a line of trees, until you reach a gate.
Stage 6
Go through the gate onto a track and turn right. Follow the track straight ahead until you reach Waterhouses car park and the end of the trail.
End point
Waterhouses car park, BD24 9PT.
Trail map
Malham Tarn moderate walking trail map | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey
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