Gordale Scar

Last year we spent a few days in the Skipton area and it's an absolutely beautiful part of the country to explore. Some of the places we visited quickly made their way on to my favourite spots of all time, and Gordale Scar is one of those places. The path from the parking spot is very easy to walk along and you'll get beautiful views of the cliffs and Gordale Beck which runs alongside the path as you head up to the scar. We visited Gordale Scar as part of a longer walk which also took in Malham Cove, which is also a must visit if you're in the area.

The scar was formed over thousands of years by the action of water and ice. During the Ice Ages, meltwater from glaciers carved a deep channel through the limestone bedrock. As the climate warmed, the glaciers melted and the channel was left behind. Over time, water continued to flow through the channel, eroding the sides of the gorge and creating the steep cliffs that we see today.

The cliffs are about 100 metres high and 60 metres wide. The walls of the gorge are made up of limestone, which is a soft rock that is easily eroded. This has led to the formation of many interesting features in the scar, including potholes, caves, and waterfalls. It is a popular spot for rock climbers, however, I think I will continue to appreciate the beauty of the area from the ground.

The most famous feature of Gordale Scar are the waterfalls. The first waterfall is about 12 metres high and plunges into a pool at the bottom of the gorge. The water in the pool is a deep green colour, and it is surrounded by moss-covered rocks.

For the fellow twitchers out there, you'll spy lots of wildlife in the area. On our walk between Malham Cove and Gordale Scar we saw Meadow Pipits, Wheatear, Peregrine Falcon, Redstarts, Green Woodpecker and Heron hunting along Gordale Beck. No wonder the birds love it so much, it's stunning!