How to get to Janet’s Foss and Gordale Scar

Directions to Janet’s Foss:

1. Beginning at the Yorkshire Dales National Park Car Park, turn left out of here and walk a little into the village of Malham. On the right of the road, you will see Malham Smithy, the path heads across a little footbridge over the beck, just behind this. From here, turn right. This walk is SO well walked, you can’t miss the path!

2. Continue along the path, passing through a gate, until you reach a fork. Here, the options are either straight on, or turn left. You will see a barn building to your left. The path passes this on the left hand side. Take the left hand fork and pass the barn. Continue to follow the path, which roughly follows the edge of the beck (which should be on your right). There are no other offshoots to be aware of. The path will lead you through a gate into the woodland around Janet’s Foss and then onwards to the waterfall. Expect company in peak season! The only time we’ve had it to ourselves was in January in the dark, or in horrendous wet and windy December weather!

3. The pools of Janet’s Foss are a popular wild swimming spot, and there is also a cave located just up the bank from the water. To get there, you have to wade through the pool/ hop across the rocks. Take a look at the waterfall, there is a little cave behind the water, this is the legendary Janet Queen of the Fairies’ home. People have climbed up there, but we haven’t made it yet. It’s super slippery!

4. Head to the dry stone perimeter wall on the left of the falls (there’s also an information board for you to read). The path heads up and away from the falls, bearing left. This bit is rocky! Shortly after emerging from the woods, you will see the road and the gate. From here turn left onto the road.

5. Continue straight on, passing the Gordale Bridge snack van (worth a stop for their sausage rolls and ice cream!) until you see a wide 5 bar gate, and signpost for Gordale Scar. There is also another information board here. Turn left into the field (occasionally used for camping, but only by permission of the landowner - it’s no longer a campsite). The path is clear, obvious, wide and well surfaced. This will lead you to Gordale Scar, waterfalls and all.

6. There is a Grade 1 scramble up the side of the waterfall, but it’s not for the faint hearted, and we recommend with kids, you admire from the bottom. Be aware, there have historically been falling rocks here, so heed any warning signage in place.

7. Turn back on yourself and return to Gordale Bridge. Here, cross the bridge and head through a gate signposted Malham. There is beyond a now stepped path, which climbs up and away from Gordale Bridge.

8. This continues through a wall, then to some steps up through the next wall. Take the steps up and turn left. The wall will now be to your left. Continue until you reach Malham Raikes, a narrow country road, which turns left. Here, if you want to do the whole Malham whammy, you can in fact cross the road and walk onwards to the limestone pavements at the top of Malham Cove.

9. Alternatively, to cut the route short, turn left and walk down the road, being careful to watch out for cars! This road leads you back into Malham, where you need to turn right to head back into the village.

ALTERNATIVE PUSHCHAIR FRIENDLY SHORT ROUTE

1. Park at the layby at Gordale Bridge (limited parking, never block any access points to fields, park responsibly and thoughtfully at all times - access for emergency services needs to be possible at ALL times).

2. Head towards the information board located by the gate into the campsite on Hawthorns Lane. Head on the main access track through the middle of the campsite, this continues all the way to Gordale Scar (linear walk)

3. Once you have reached Gordale Scar, turn around and head back to the parking area. If you want to pay a visit to Janet’s Foss too, then continue back along Gordale Road in the direction of Malham Village. After 100m or so, there is a gate in the wall on your left. This gives you access to Janet’s Foss (not pushchair friendly though)

Last walked January 2026