Gordale Scar, North Yorkshire

After negotiating the clints and grykes of the limestone pavement above Malham Cove, we headed uphill for a short while along part of the Pennine Way.

 

Dropping gently downhill the path eventually came to the road where a refreshment van provided a very welcome cup of tea. We had a ten minute break watching a Mallard with its ducklings and a Meadow Pipit having a bath in the small stream by the edge of the road.

A short walk along the road brought us to Gordale Scar, a gorge formed during the Ice Age. Melt water created a huge cavern which eventually collapsed and formed the gorge and the waterfalls within it. Access to the gorge is via a stony path which dissects a campsite. 

 The approach gives little idea of the geological spectacle which awaits around the last bend in the path.

 

 As we walked further into the gorge, towards the waterfall at its end, the 100  metre high walls seemed to close in around us.

  It is possible to climb up the waterfall and continue upwards to Malham Tarn, as these people were doing. Alternatively you can retrace your steps, as we did, and walk back to the road where we headed for Janet's Foss, a beautiful little area of ancient woodland which will be the subject of my next blog post.
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As always, thanks for visiting, I hope you've enjoyed the photos.