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Home , Malham, Malham Tarn

Tarn family cycle trail

Watersinks car park, Malham For a fun family day out, explore Tarn, Settle, North the beauty of by BD24 bike. It is surrounded by some of Britain’s finest scenery TRAIL and there’s also an opportunity for Cycling budding young wildlife detectives to spot the Tarn’s varied birdlife GRADE from the bird hide. Easy

DISTANCE 4.5 miles (7.2km)

TIME Terrain

30 minutes Height gain: 318ft (97m). Generally gentle grass and gravel paths with some moderate slopes and some narrow-walled lanes. Grass tracks can be muddy after wet weather. This is a great family-friendly route, OS MAP with just one small incline that may require younger children to push their bikes. The weather can be Landranger 98, very changeable, so its important to come prepared. Bring along sensible, warm and waterproof clothing Explorer OL2 and an OS map to assist with route finding. Contact Things to see 01729 830416 [email protected] Facilities Nearest facilities are in Malham Tarn village: including toilets, tea-rooms and pubs Bird hide National Nature Smelt chimney

The hide is an excellent vantage Reserve Lead, copper and zinc carbonate point to watch great crested The reserve is made up of three were mined on Pike Daw during grebes, little grebes, tufted different wetland habitats; the the 18th century. The crushed ducks, pochard, widgeon, teal lime-rich open water of the tarn; metal ore was processed at the nationaltrust.org.uk/walks and goosander. You may also a flourishing fenland of sedges smelt mill on . Here be lucky enough to spot the and other lime-loving plants; and the long pipe led from the smelt occasional hen harrier hunting a raised with sphagnum mill to the chimney, where the over Tarn Moss. moss, heather and bog rosemary. toxic fumes were exhumed. Access to the National Nature Reserve is by permit only and can be obtained from the estate office at Waterhouses. Watersinks car park, Malham Tarn, Settle, BD24

Start/end

Start: Watersinks car park, grid ref: SD893658 End: Watersinks car park, grid ref: SD893658 How to get there

By bike: near Sustrans NCN route 68 and 1. From Watersinks car park follow the bridleway sign, which points towards Waterhouses, across a rolling grassland track. This track follows the . On joining the gravel track go through the Cycle Way (regional Route 10) gate, following the track alongside Malham Tarn towards the woodland and Tarn House. By bus: National Trust shuttle bus from Settle to Malham Tarn 2. At Tarn House (Field Study Centre) follow the track to the right, round the back of the house and weekends and Bank Holidays through the narrow limestone cutting. Continue until you reach the bird hide on your left. This is great Easter to Oct. Includes space spot for a break and to observe the birdlife of Malham Tarn. for up to 3 bikes By train: Settle 7 miles 3. Turn left at the first left fork on to Pot Hole Lane and follow this lane along the edge of the National (11.2km). Settle to Carlisle line Nature Reserve until you reach the gate. Go through the gate and turn left on to the road. By car: close to A65 and Settle; 4. Follow the road for a short distance and take the first left turn, sign posted to Malham. Continue 4 miles (6.4km) north-west of along the road for approximately 0.5 miles (0.8km) until you reach the crossroads. You will see the Malham. Follow signs from smelt chimney, diagonally off to your left, from the cross roads. Malham. Park at Watersinks car park (National Trust SD893658) 5. Go straight on at the crossroads, following the sign to Malham for approximately 1 mile (1.6km). south of Malham Tarn You will then see a bridleway sign on your left pointing to Watersinks (0.75 miles (1.2km)).

6. Follow the bridleway back towards Watersinks car park, where you can savour the stunning panoramic view of Malham Tarn, with in the background.

nationaltrust.org.uk/walks