A Complete Guide to the Janet’s Foss Waterfall Walk
The Janet’s Foss Waterfall walk is a delightful short walk to a beautiful woodland waterfall, which gets its name from fairies. It is magical and opens all year round.
In Scandinavian, Foss means waterfall or force. According to legend, Janet or Jennet lived in a small cave behind the waterfall, and this was the home of the local fairy queen. The woodlands have probably been wet since the end of the last Ice Age, and today the National Trust attempts to manage them so that they are healthy for future generations.
On your visit, look around the woodland to see the rich and diverse habitat, especially the ferns and mosses. Did you know? Janet’s Foss was once used as a natural sheep dip for farmers in the area!
The waterfall walk begins at Malham Village and heads towards Gordale Scar. The path is easy to follow, and we have included detailed instructions below. You will notice some trees and the home of many pennies on your way. The legend says that if you add one, you can make a wish to the Queen of the Fairies!
You can see the waterfall as part of the classic Malham Cove walk, which passes the waterfall, then to Gordale Scar and then up to Malham Cove. Therefore, you can extend your hike or simply walk to the waterfall and return.
Janet’s Foss Walk Details
Distance: 4.2km return (2.6 miles)
Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Map: OL2 (Yorkshire Dales)
Route Type: out and back
Stiles: 0
How to get there
Train
The closest train stations are in Settle and Skipton. Settle station is 7 miles away, and Skipton station is 19 miles from the station.
Car
From Skipton, take the A65 to Gargrave. Follow indications to Malham and from Settle. A minor road passes through the Malham Tarn estate towards the North of Malham Tarn.
Foot
The Pennine Way passes through the estate six miles from north to south.
Bus
From Skipton: 210/211, 883/884 and from Settle 580/210 (to Malham village only).
In addition, there is the National Trust shuttle bus service (890) Settle-Malham Tarn between Easter and October.
Bicycle
Malham village is on the Yorkshire Dales Cycleway, a marked on-road cycling route from Airton towards the south and Stainforth as well as Settle towards the East.
It connects with Pennine Cycleway, National Cycle Network route 68, which stretches between Derby to Berwick-upon-Tweed.
Janet’s Foss Parking
The central car park is accessible within the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority Car Park in Malham village. It is a pay-and-display car park, and you can pay using cards or coins. However, there are toilets that you can use and an information centre. Current charges are:
2 hours – £3
All day – £5
24 hours – £6
48 hours – £7.50
The address is:
Malham Village, North Yorkshire BD23 4DA
You can follow the Google Maps Directions here.
There is also street parking in Malham Village. Although this is free, Malhamdale Parish Council has requested donations of £2 for help with the upkeep of the village, as it’s swamped with tourists.
Janet’s Foss Weather
Check the forecast, so you can prepare for your walk. We like to check both:
BBC for Malham
Met Office for Malham Tarn.
Janet’s Foss Swimming
Janet’s Foss has become a wild swimming haven in recent years due to the glistening emerald water and the chance to swim in a cascade. We saw many people swimming in Janet’s Foss and wearing the correct gear the last time we visited. However, the pool is relatively small, so we recommend heading there early or avoiding weekends or school holidays if you wish to swim by yourself.
However, remember, if you decide to go wild swimming at Janet’s Foss, you must be highly attentive. The water can be cold and deep, and getting out is not always easy. Check for the hazards, as they may be hidden.
Please call 999 if you see anyone struggling in the water and ask for Fire and Rescue.
Top Tips
- Take all litter home with you (leave no trace). If you see someone else’s rubbish, pick it up and take it with you.
- Stick to marked paths to avoid erosion to the area.
- Respect the land, primarily as a lot of it is privately owned.
- If you visit in Spring, look out for wild garlic, primroses and herb robert!
- Keep an eye out for spot dippers, grey and pied wagtails!
- The terrain is mostly on gravel or stone paths. In the woodland, there is uneven ground.
- Dogs are welcome, but they must always be kept on a lead and remember to clean up after your dogs.
- It is a busy walk. Please get there early and remember to avoid popular times, such as weekends, if you can.
Janet’s Foss Photos
Directions
- From the car park, walk into Malham Village and take a right-hand turn which goes over the bridge next to the Malham Smithy. The direction is towards Janet’s Foss and Gordale Scar!
- Make a right turn and walk down the path, passing through the gate made of wood next towards Malham Beck. Continue walking along this path till you arrive at the double-kissing gate made of wood. From there, turn left and continue to walk by Mires Barn. Follow the straight path and walk along the stone wall to your left.
- The route is well-constructed and easy to follow since this is a popular place. Continue, past New Laithe, straight through the kissing gate made of wood next towards Malham Beck.
- Keep walking alongside the beck, and then go into the forest area towards Janet’s Foss by crossing the kissing wooden gate. The trail leads you through the beautiful Webder woodland, with tranquil streams.
- It is impossible to overlook Janet’s Foss waterfall. It’s stunning! Some people go enjoy a wild swim in the waterfall.
- From here, you can retrace your steps back to the car park. Alternatively, you can continue straight up the steps and go and see another impressive waterfall – Gordale Scar!
- Make sure you enjoy and get the most out of Malham Village on your return. We visited the Old Barn Cafe (where we had a breakfast sandwich) and the Buck Inn, where we enjoyed a sharing plate and a beer!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you swim in Janet’s Foss?
Yes, swimming in Janet’s Foss waterfall is popular with wild swimmers. But do you dare to dip your toes? Remember, the water is freezing, and enter with caution.
How was Janet’s Foss formed?
The waterfall is a feature of Tufa deposits that have formed on the rocks surrounding the waterfall. Tufa is created through the precipitation of calcium carbonate-rich water.
Limestone Pavements are an essential feature of the surrounding area, with the Clints (the limestone blocks) along with the Grykes (the spaces) creating a unique habitat for wildlife or micro-climate to support rare wildflowers and ferns such as wood sorrel, Herb Robert, Green Spleenwort and Wall Rue.
Where to park for Janet’s Foss?
There are several options in Malham Village. There are limited free (donations welcome) spaces, and the most popular car park is the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority Car Park, which currently costs £5 per day. There are also overflowing car parks in the fields.
How far is Janet’s Foss from Malham?
It is roughly 2.1km from Malham Village.
Where is Janet’s Foss?
The waterfall is on the southern edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park in North Yorkshire and near Malham’s village.
Where can I stay to see the waterfall?
You can stay in Malham, which means you can be one of the first on the trail. There are many accommodation options to suit all budgets and styles. Some of the options are:
YHA Malham
The Lister Arms
Beck Hall
Miresfield Farm
Malham Glamping Pods
Cove View Cottage
Hill Top Farm Bunkhouse
Riverside Campsite Malham
Where else can I walk nearby?
Of course, you can do the classic route to Gordale Scar and Malham Cove. You can also extend it further to Malham Tarn!
We hope you enjoyed this walk to the spectacular waterfall; remember to be prepared, leave no trace, respect others and have a wonderful time. We adore the scenery, and if you have any questions, please ask away in the comments section!
Visiting Yorkshire?
Please read our guides to….
A Complete Guide to the Gordale Scar Walk
Places to visit in Leeds, UK – The Complete 3 Day Guide
Goathland to Grosmont Walk – An Exciting 3 Stage Route
11 Best Things to do in Knaresborough, Yorkshire
Photo Credits: averagelives.com
We want to stress that ‘Average Lives’ cannot be held liable for any injuries or accidents that may occur while walking our routes. We strongly advise that you wear proper footwear to reduce the risk of injuries, and carry a paper map and compass to ensure your safety while walking. You can read more on our About Page.
