Malham Cove is a long-curved limestone pavement about half a mile north of the village of Malham, North Yorkshire, approximately 30 minutes’ drive from Hollow Gill Huts.

Formed by a waterfall carrying meltwater from glaciers at the end of the last Ice Age more than 12,000 years ago, the cove is now a well-known beauty spot within the Yorkshire Dales National Park. A large limestone pavement sits above the cove.

Described as “This beautiful rock is like the age-tinted wall of a prodigious castle; the stone is very white, and from the ledges hang various shrubs and vegetables, which with the tints given it by the bog water. & c. gives it a variety that I never before saw so pleasing in a plain rock.” Thomas West – Priest and noted antiquary in 1779.

The west side of the cliff face has about 400 irregular stone steps forming part of the route of the Pennine Way and leading to a bumpy limestone pathway at the top.

The cove is very popular with climbers because of its numerous climbing routes. The cove offers a mixture of traditional climbs and sports climbs. The Cliff’s south face is a popular venue for rock climbing in winter. The rock face can be too hot for a summer ascent.