Our drawing of the route, over road and path data from OpenStreetMap. It shows where the walk goes and what it goes through. It is not a survey and not a navigation aid — carry OS Explorer on the hill.
Five and a half miles and around two and three quarter hours, flat and gentle by Malhamdale standards: the Pennine Way south past Aire Head springs to Hanlith, a riverside mile to Airton, then quiet lanes and field paths back through Kirkby Malham. Park at the Malham National Park Centre and walk out of the village southwards; the 210 from Skipton stops in Malham, Airton and Kirkby Malham, so the loop can be cut short at any of them. The Aire is shallow, clean and reachable at half a dozen points, which makes this the best drinking and paddling walk in the dale, but every riverside field is grazed and there are cattle with calves below Hanlith, so the lead stays on; the stiles are mostly wooden steps over walls and are manageable, though two squeeze stiles near Hanlith Hall are tight for a broad-chested dog.
Riverside hotel and bistro reached by its own little stone footbridge, and one of the most dog-friendly stays in the country: every room, the dining areas and the log-fire snug all welcome dogs, who stay free. Biscuits, water and dog mats are provided, and Malham Cove is a stroll from the garden. Also notable as England's first fully plant-based hotel.
The classic Dales circuit: roughly five miles from Malham village via the wooded ravine to Janet's Foss waterfall, into the towering gorge of Gordale Scar, then over limestone pasture to the 80-metre curved cliff of Malham Cove. Dogs may go off lead in places but sheep graze almost the whole route, so close control or a lead is essential, and there are rocky steps and clints on the cove top. Start from the National Park car park; the village pubs welcome muddy paws afterwards.
A four-and-a-half-mile circuit of England's highest marl lake, two hours on estate tracks, a stretch of quiet moorland road and grass paths, with almost no climbing at 375 metres above the sea. Park at the National Trust car park at Water Sinks on the Malham to Arncliffe road; Malham village and its toilets and tea rooms are three miles south. The Trust asks for dogs on leads and bars them entirely from the boardwalk through the National Nature Reserve at the east end, so plan to walk the road section instead; sheep and cattle graze the upland farm land, and the tarn shore gives easy shallow access for a drink.
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