Scotland
Affric Kintail Way
Coming soon
- On trail 14.6 mi 23.5 km
- Walking time 7–8 h
- Ascent 870 m 2,850 ft
- Descent 830 m 2,700 ft
- Difficulty Hard
Malham Cove, Fountains Fell and Pen-y-ghent: the first limestone day.
Section 6: Malham to Horton-in-Ribblesdale map
Example stay The Crown Hotel (opens in a new tab)
Cross-check: Pennine Way route description on National Trails . The walk follows that page's sixteen days, checked 17 October 2026. Distance and climb are measured on our line between these ends, not taken from its mile figures.
The walk
A special day. Wainwright thought the limestone country around Malham "the best walking territory so far encountered along the Pennine Way", and few would disagree. Stone steps climb the side of Malham Cove to the limestone pavement on top, then a dry valley leads to Malham Tarn. Two stiff, sustained climbs follow: Fountains Fell, deceptively tough, and Pen-y-ghent, the highest point so far and not as hard as it looks. The long descent to Horton-in-Ribblesdale is either very, very good or interminable, depending on your knees.
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Start of section
Malham
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Malham Cove
A great curved limestone cliff above the village. The Way climbs stone steps up its side to the pavement on top, all clints and grikes. Watch your ankles.
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Malham Tarn
A lake high in the limestone, reached up a dry valley from the cove. The path follows the shore before the open climb to Fountains Fell.
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Stay on the path
Fountains Fell
A long, steady climb that few remember fondly. The top has old mine workings and sinkholes, so keep to the line.
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Highest point so far
Pen-y-ghent
A curious-looking stepped summit, climbed by a short rocky nose. The views are the reward; then the long descent to Horton-in-Ribblesdale.
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End of section
Horton-in-Ribblesdale
Section 6: Malham to Horton-in-Ribblesdale overview
The ground
- Limestone pavement
- Two big climbs
- Rocky summit
Two big climbs, after the best limestone on the Way. Harder than the days either side, with two sustained climbs, but shorter than most. The scenery is among the best on the whole walk.
Stops
Refreshments
- Nothing between Malham and Horton
- so carry lunch from Malham. Horton has the Crown Hotel and the Golden Lion
Toilets
- No source used for this section names a public toilet
Before you go
Opposite direction
Horton-in-Ribblesdale to Malham
Walked north to south, you climb Pen-y-ghent straight out of Horton, cross Fountains Fell, and come down past Malham Tarn to the top of Malham Cove and its stone steps. Malham, with its inns and cafés, is a good reward.
End of section
Malham
Malham to Horton-in-Ribblesdale FAQ
How hard is Malham to Horton-in-Ribblesdale?
One of the harder days. It is not long, but Fountains Fell and Pen-y-ghent are two stiff, sustained climbs, and there is no food on the way. Route-finding is straightforward in clear weather.
Can I get to Horton-in-Ribblesdale by train?
Yes. Horton has a station on the Settle to Carlisle line, which makes it a common place to start or finish a section walk of the Dales.
Where do I stay in Horton-in-Ribblesdale?
Horton has two inns, the Crown Hotel and the Golden Lion, plus bunkhouses and B&Bs. It is busy with Three Peaks walkers at weekends, so book ahead.
Can I download a GPX for Malham to Horton-in-Ribblesdale?
Yes. Use the GPX button at the top of this page. It is this section's line, for Garmin, Komoot, or your phone. Open the planner if you want a file built around your overnight stops.
Walk this as a day
Used as Day 6 on the 15-day. Open the planner on that preset, then export a full-trip or per-day GPX.
Open in planner Read the 15-day itinerary
Full-trip and per-day GPX files. Free, no account.
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