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Trail running in Malhamdale

8
routes

Which route should I choose?

8 routes in Malhamdale, from 7.8 km to 87.0 km. If it is your first time here, start with the easy group below. Every route has a free GPX file, a TRP grade and a note on parking and transport.

Checked: 8 run by TRP. Each route page says which.

First trail run here

Low effort, easy ground, shortest first.

Under 10 km

An hour or so, whatever your pace.

A long day out

Over 25 km. Take food, take a map.

Firm underfoot in wet weather

Lowest mud rating in the region.

Compare all 8 routes in one table
RouteDistanceClimbGradeGroundGetting there
Malham Cove, Gordale Scar and Janets Foss from Malham7.8 km172 mModeratepathDrive, parking listed
Easy Malham Loop8.6 km143 mHardpathDrive, parking listed
Malham Cove and Malham Tarn16.5 km411 mHardpathDrive, parking listed
Skipton to Malham via Canal and Pennine Way17.7 km189 mModeratepathDrive, parking listed
Fountains Fell and Arncliffe from Malham Tarn28.1 km612 mHardmoorlandDrive, parking listed
Malham Tarn to Langcliffe Scar30.9 km626 mHardmoorlandDrive, parking listed
Fountains Fell and Pen-y-ghent from Malham50.0 km1,701 mExpertmoorlandDrive, parking listed
Fountains Fell, Pen-y-ghent, Malham and Pennine Way from Skipton87.0 km2,081 mExpertmoorlandBus or train
Easy Malham LoopHARD
Easy Malham Loop
8.6km · 143m climb · Loop
Two of the Dales' most famous limestone features on one short, almost flat loop, perfect for an easy day or a first taste of trail running in Malhamdale.
Checked Jul 2026
Fountains Fell and Arncliffe from Malham TarnHARD
Fountains Fell and Arncliffe from Malham Tarn
28.1km · 612m climb · Loop
The classic Malham scenery gives way to wide open fell country and a summit that feels properly remote despite being only 8km from the village.
Checked Jul 2026
Fountains Fell and Pen-y-ghent from MalhamEXPERT
Fountains Fell and Pen-y-ghent from Malham
50.0km · 1,701m climb · Loop
A full 50km day that strings together the cove, the tarn and two major summits, a serious long-distance challenge through the heart of the Dales.
Checked Jul 2026
EXPERT
Fountains Fell, Pen-y-ghent, Malham and Pennine Way from Skipton
87.0km · 2,081m climb · Loop
You string together the greatest hits of the southern Dales in one enormous loop: Gordale Scar, the summit of Pen-y-ghent, Fountains Fell and Malham Tarn, all on foot from Skipton.
No car needed
Checked Jul 2026
Malham Cove and Malham TarnHARD
Malham Cove and Malham Tarn
16.5km · 411m climb · Loop
The classic Malham circuit, joining the cove, its dramatic limestone pavement and the glittering tarn into one flowing mid-distance loop.
Checked Jul 2026
Malham Cove, Gordale Scar and Janets Foss from MalhamMODERATE
Malham Cove, Gordale Scar and Janets Foss from Malham
7.8km · 172m climb · Loop
Three of England's most dramatic limestone features in one run — with a scramble through Gordale Scar that makes most runners grin.
Checked Jul 2026
HARD
Malham Tarn to Langcliffe Scar
30.9km · 626m climb · Loop
You run from Malham Tarn out across the high limestone to Langcliffe Scar, joining the two greatest pieces of Dales limestone in one loop.
Checked Jul 2026
Skipton to Malham via Canal and Pennine WayMODERATE
Skipton to Malham via Canal and Pennine Way
17.7km · 189m climb · Point to point
You start on a flat canal towpath and finish in Malhamdale, with the Pennine Way's National Trail waymarking doing the navigation for you almost the entire way.
Checked Jun 2026