Avoiding busy Malham is not a bad call at this time of the year. Particularly if you can still enjoy an excellent walk only a few miles away. Combining the shores of Malham Tarn with a climb of Great Close Hill is a perfect family outing… without the crowds.

Start the walk from the car park at the south end of Malham Tarn 300 metres to the south (away from the tarn) to visit Water Sinks. Here a lively stream disappears down in to the ground, only to appear much further down the valley, beyond Malham Cove. It is a worthwhile detour, return back to the car park.

The walk proper heads directly towards the outflow of Malham Tarn, arriving five minutes later. At 378 metres, Malham Tarn is the highest marl (calcium carbonate/lime rich mud) lake in England. It may have been larger in the past with geologists believing the original lake included Tarn Moss to the west.

(Image: Jonathan Smith)

Turn right and follow the shores of the tarn to a wall where you can go no further. Keep the wall on your left hand side (acting as a handrail!) as it turns away from the tarn. After 200m arrive at an obvious track and a gate leading into National Trust land. Follow the track back towards the tarn, following the shoreline until it meets a wooded area.

Here there are some choices. You can either follow the path into the woods and complete the full circuit of the tarn or turn right before the woods and climb Great Close Hill. If the weather is fine you should climb the hill even if you then complete the full circuit of the tarn.

(Image: Jonathan Smith)

To climb Great Close Hill take the path to the right before the woods and when you arrive at the highest point turn right (south) and then take the unmarked path to the summit of Great Close Hill. It is a 300 foot climb, a bit of an effort, but the rewards are rich indeed. Not only is the 360 degree view one of the best in the Yorkshire Dales (particularly over the tarn) but there are the remains of what is probably an iron age burial site/sacred mound.

From the summit either return to the woods or carry on south east. If you return on your outbound path it is worth entering the woods and visiting the fine building at Tarn House, owned by the National Trust. The ancient woodland is also full of interest.

(Image: Jonathan Smith)

However if you decide from the top of Great Close Hill to explore elsewhere head east (away from the tarn) and continue downhill until you meet a path. Turn right and join the path until it meets a wider lane at the foot of the hill. This track heads south, through a gate and continues for half a mile to a meeting of paths at Streetgate.

Turn left and join a quiet road west that leads back to the car park. It is what I call a Herriot road as there is no boundaries on either side of the road. Feel free, like he did, to wander off the road and explore the surrounding country. This is access land and it is perfectly fine to do so.

Walk facts:

Distance. Great Close Hill (3.5 miles).

Height to climb: Circuit of Malham Tarn 50m (165 feet).

Start: SD 894658. National Park car park (free).

Difficulty: Easy, Great Close Hill is a climb but well worth it in good weather.

Refreshments: Bring your own! Malham is only two miles but often very busy.

Be prepared: The route description and sketch map only provide a guide to the walk. You must take out and be able to read a map (O/S Explorer OL2) and in cloudy/misty conditions a compass. You must also wear the correct clothing and footwear for the outdoors. Whilst every effort is made to provide accurate information, walkers head out at their own risk.

Please observe the Countryside Code and park sensibly.

More walk suggestions:

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  • Jonathan Smith is the owner of Where2walk, a walking company based in the Yorkshire Dales. He has written three books on walking in the Dales, The Yorkshire 3 Peaks, The Dales 30 mountains and Walks without Stiles. All these books (and more) are available direct from the Where2walk website. 
  • Book a navigation (map and compass skills) training day near Settle or a bespoke day for a private group. The next available course is on Saturday, October 12. Join his guided walks in September. Climb Pen-y-Ghent (21st), Whernside (22nd), Ingleborough (23rd) and join his Dales 30 Weekender based in Sedbergh (24/25th).
  • Where2walk.co.uk also features hundreds of walks across Yorkshire and beyond, from easy strolls to harder climbs. Visit the website for details of the walks, guiding days and navigation courses.