The River Aire & Kirkby Malham from Malham

Yorkshire Dales Walk

Maps

Walk Route Description

The village of Malham is popular with visitors who explore the village and make the 'pilgrimage' to Malham Cove. This Yorkshire Daless walk goes in the opposite direction to most of the visitors and explores the Aire Valley and Malhamdale. For those staying in the area, this route is an ideal summer evening walk as you can stop for a drink in the pub in Kirkby Malham.

This walk starts from the Visitor Centre (Grid ref SD900627) located on the approach to Malham. Exit the car park onto the main road. Cross over and walk a short way towards the village centre before taking the signed footpath on your right. This path heads south in the field opposite the visitor centre and initially crosses meadows towards Kirkby Malham. In just over 500 metres the path follows goes alongside a mill race, which is followed past Scalegill Mill. Shortly after the mill there is a path junction. Fork right here and climb up the field to meet the road from Malham to Kirkby Malham (Grid ref. SD896611).

Turn left along the road into the attractive village of Kirkby Malham. Follow the main where it turns left and continue past cottages to the pub, which is a short way along on your right. Just past the pub, turn left and walk down the lane to cross the River Aire (Grid ref. SD900611). Continue along the lane past Hanlith Hall and then uphill into the hamlet of Hanlith. At a sharp bend (Grid ref. SD901614) the Pennine Way goes off left. Take this and follow the clear path across meadows with the River Aire below to your left.

Reaching the path junction near Mires barn (Grid ref. SD902264) go straight ahead towards Malham village. Turn left over the bridge and turn left down the road to reach the start.

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