New Close Knotts (near Gordale Scar)

The view into Malhamdale from New Close Knotts

Location: SD 911 642

Getting there: Park at the YDNPA car park in Malham, and follow the Malham Waterfall Trail to Janet’s Foss, and past the food van, towards the cove. Alternatively, park near Malham Tarn (free National Trust car park, and some on-road parking)

Height (unmarked, approx): 371m

Prominence: unknown

Map: OS Explorer OL2 Yorkshire Dales Southern & Western Area)

A short distance from the popular Malham waterfall trail, New Close Knotts are well worth a visit to get outstanding views and a new perspective of the area above Malhamdale and Gordale Scar.

The first time I followed the waterfall trail from Malham, which guides you past Janets Foss, I was intrigued by the peak rising above the western flank of Gordale Scar, that dominates the right-hand side of the path after you pass the refreshment stop. I saw an intrepid pair of adventurers winding up a faint path, through the limestone outcrops, and wondered what might be up there.

The curious New Close Knotts, watching over Gordale Scar

I’d find out on my next visit. With the route up the waterfall at Gordale Scar impassable, New Close Knotts provides a potential detour from the main path.

At around 370m in height, the Knotts are diminutive by Dales standards, but the route to the top rises steely from the Dales Highway below, and I admit to taking a couple of welcome rest stops on the way up.

And I’m glad I did. The view to the South over Malhamdale and into the Aire valley is spectacular, and the nature of the steep, limestone-strewn grassy slopes gives a sense of perspective and exposure, often the purview of much bigger climbs.

It’s well worth stopping on the way up New Close Knotts to take in the view (and get a breather!)

The slope eventually levels out, and you’re presented with a craggy, almost other-worldly landscape, with several little recesses and natural coves that offer a place to sit and enjoy the view.

The landscape on top of New Close Knotts

With no formal path, tracks lead away along the side of Gordale Scar, sometimes passing close to the edge, and providing a taster of the delights in the valley below. It’s interesting to view the scar from above, with people dotted in the valley below, standing in awe of the massive waterfall.

Looking over Gordale Scar from New Close Knotts

The tracks eventually meet the path emerging from Gordale Scar, which then continues through the almost-flat limestone pavement towards Malham Tarn. Like much of the area above Malham Cove, the site of a number of ancient settlements are scattered across the landscape, the most intriguing being a Roman Camp on Mastiles Lane to the north.

Access to New Close Knotts is not as straight-forward as it seems - from the Dales High Way, heading west to Malham Cove, there is a track forking off to the right and behind you, which leads to a gate which accesses the fell. It should be noted that both the Dales High Way and the track are NOT on open access land, and the track is not marked as a public right of way, so technically you should stay on the Dales High Way until you cross the wall into Open Access Land.

To access from the North, follow the path towards Gordale Scar, but instead of heading down into the scar and waterfall, continue along the edge until you reach the Knotts.