About the event:
Where is Malham?
The walk starts at the Yorkshire Dales National Park's car park in Malham. Malham is close to Skipton which runs through a convenient East-West gap in the Pennines. This is the most populated section of the Pennines with the Aire valley causing a rift. Skipton is accessible by road and rail - the latter going on to form part of the famous Settle-Carlisle Railway through the high Dales.
We'll meander along the classic route that follows Malham and Gordale becks, to Janet’s Foss, a waterfall set in its own little amphitheatre. Then onto to Gordale Scar, a gorge with limestone cliffs over 100 m high, and the limestone pavement above Malham Cove to Malham Cove itself.
The area is steeped in geological history. The Cove is particularly spectacular being a huge, curved amphitheatre shaped cliff formation made from limestone rock. Formed from the action of ice and water over millions of years, the vertical face of the cliff is around 70 metres high. It has amazed visitors for centuries.
Why not extend your stay so you can really reap the benefits of this super-chilled area? Check out the Yorkshire Dales National Park's website for accommodation choices and the Malhamdale website.
About the Evening
Steeped in mystery and myth, Malham promises to provide an adventure like no other...
A traverse down to Janet’s Foss in the dark exudes atmosphere on an evening with a big shiny full moon. Yes, it’s spine-tingling, but-oh-so exhilarating! Everywhere will take on a silvery light. We may even get to spend some of the time walking without headtorches (if you're happy to). And you’ll discover more about the folklore of this magical place.
As we meander into the night, you’ll experience a sensory exploration led by Alison - a mindfulness instructor. You’ll move slowly and discover how to reconnect to this big wide-world and dark sky above you in a completely different way. It will also magically bring you back to THIS precious moment, making your feel AMAZING.
You’ll stop every now and again to gaze in wonder at a sparkling, star-filled sky. View planets, constellations and the Milky Way arcing above. Or if you're really lucky, see colourful meteors shooting through the atmosphere. But this isn't an evening to geek on about constellations - this is about connecting deep time with the here and now and experiencing it. Guided by Fabian - our specialist mountain leader and dark skies enthusiast - you’ll learn more about our own planet, the celestial heavens above and deep time. It’s utterly fascinating…
Of course we cannot guarantee the weather, but even if it's cloudy, scientists have now proved embracing the dark is good for the soul. Walking at night is an incredible experience that is invigorating, immersive and is a surprising mood-booster. What's not to like?!Â
So come and join us on this magical evening at Malham Cove. You won’t regret it…
Meeting Point:
The walk starts at the Yorkshire Dales National Park's car park in Malham. Please click on the link to open the start location in Googlemaps which opens in a new tab. Full joining instructions and where to meet will be sent out nearer the time.
Please note that should there be seriously adverse weather that would destroy the evening's aims, we will offer an alternative evening or refund.
Difficulty:
The evening can last anything from 3 - 4 hours depending on the weather. We may change the route at very short notice to enhance the experience.
The walk length is roughly 5 miles and mainly on footpaths. We'll be following recognised tracks and staying at a low level. Although we'll be mainly on footpaths, there are hills, rough ground and mud on these routes too. Heading towards Janet's Foss there are lots of tree roots, rocky paths and uneven ground.
Prerequisites:
For your comfort, a good level of fitness will be needed for this activity.
Cost:
The evening experience costs £49 per person
Numbers:
We can take a maximum of 12
Equipment:
Please see the All Activities section of the kit list here. Walking poles are recommended for those who may find walking at night. You will also need a headtorch with new or fully recharged batteries. It's worth having a spare / back-up headtorch too. Please note that a hand-held torch is not appropriate.