Malham to Horton

Malham to Horton-in-Ribblesdale

Click here for link to a GPS map of this section of the Pennine Way on Google maps

Day seven of the PW takes the walker from the delightful village of Malham across the limestone landscape, up into peat moorland, over one of the high points of the PW, Pen-y-ghent and back down to the limestone at Horton-in-Ribblesdale. The walk took me just under six hours of continuous walking with no breaks: I had a train to catch at Horton so I ate my lunch on the move.

Leaving Malham along the lane....

...until a path leads off towards Malham Cove.

The Cove is one of the most dramatic sights in England...

......and even more so close up.

The PW climbs away from the stream by the side of the cliffs of the Cove.

Looking back down Malhamdale.

On top of the Cove the walk encounters the first of many limestone pavements that will be passed.

Pleasant, if poorly way marked tracks lead across typical limestone upland....

.....until eventually the PW doubles back on itself to reach this dramatic dry valley...

.....and an even more interesting section around the corner.

Once again PW way-marking is poor, but simply follow signposts for Malham Tarn.

The PW drops down slightly with Malham Tarn coming into view.

A very short section on a lane.....

....before back on grass heading for the lake.

The panorama across the lake with the buildings of Malham Tarn Field Centre across the lake. Click on the image for a full size picture.

For the next mile of so it's back on a broad track following the shores of the tarn...

.....with its small boat house, through woods and past the field centre.

Then there's a short distance along a paved lane...

....with views across the tarn.

The PW leaves the lane signposted for Tennant Gill....

...and heads up this dry valley complete with limestone wall in the middle.

The way ahead across the slopes of Fountains Fell comes into view.

The PW will cross Fountains Fell at the low point in the skyline.

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Onwards with views opening up.

The PW bends sharply downhill and up to a lane...

....which is followed...

....until a farm track is taken to Tennant Gill Farm....

.....and it's back onto grass heading straight up the hill.

The PW is well signposted with several right angle bends...

...as this old track heads across the moor.

In most places the PW is clear....

....although there are one or two farm tracks that might be taken by mistake.

The PW continues to climb....

......towards....

....a low pass.

Looking back this section of a former miners' track is a really pleasant walk.

Nearing the summit there are some warning notices about open mine shafts away from the track. These two curious cairns are reminiscent of those on Nine Standards Rigg .

The first view of Pen-y-ghent, which will dominate the next few hours of the walk. In the distance can be seen the flat top of Ingleborough.

The miners' track drops steadily downhill...

.....over a rocky outcrop...

...towards a wall...

.....where it turns right to follow it....

......down to the road. Pen-y-ghent looms beyond. The PW goes up the left hand side of the hill.

There's now about a mile along a lane......

.....but the road is usually quiet and the verges are broad.

The PW turns off up a farm track ...

...to Dale Head Farm where the daffodils were still in bloom in mid May.

Beyond the farm a broad track heads straight for Pen-y-ghent.

Looking back towards Fountains Fell.

There's a section of duckboards...

....before the path starts to climb...

....up to a junction with a path going down to Horton. But this is not the way the PW goes!

The climb to Pen-y-ghent is steep and may require using your hands.

The first section has been engineered...

..as it climbs up the ridge.

Further up there are sections where clambering over the rocks is required and there is a degree of exposure in this section of the climb, with thought being needed where to put your feet.