Lonely Planet EnglandLonely Planet
Guidebook
Lonely Planet England
Lonely Planet · 2025
Current Lonely Planet England covering Teesdale and Ullswater, the settings of High Force and Aira Force.
United Kingdom · Malham
Gordale Scar
Gordale Scar is a limestone ravine 1 mile north-east of Malham, North Yorkshire, England. It contains two waterfalls and has overhanging limestone cliffs over 330 feet high.
Essentials guide
Facts from Wikidata and Wikipedia, compiled September 2026; season and access are our estimate, not a visit report. How we build these pages.
Gordale Scar drops 101 metres (331 ft). It is a cascade-type fall, and the nearest base for a visit is Malham, United Kingdom. Access to the main viewpoint is rated moderate.
Summary adapted from the Wikipedia article (CC BY-SA 4.0).
As a cascade waterfall, water tumbles down a series of rock steps rather than falling free.
What you can do here
Also good forHikingPhotography
When to go
Spring snowmelt and rain make April to June the fullest months; October adds colour, and a hard winter can freeze the face.
Getting there
- Base town Malham, United Kingdom
- Country United Kingdom
- Region Malham, British Isles, Europe
- Access Moderate — a real walk — expect stairs, uneven ground or an hour on the trail
How it compares
This waterfall
Gordale Scar
United Kingdom
Height101 mWidth—
Most similar
Cascate del Varone
Italy
Height100 mWidth—
Also a cascade waterfall, of similar height and with caving
Largest curtain
Victoria Falls
Zimbabwe · Zambia
Height108 mWidth1,708 m
Largest single sheet of falling water
Tallest on earth
Angel Falls
Venezuela
Height979 mWidth—
Widest on earth
Khone Phapheng Falls
Laos
Height21 mWidth10,783 m
Measured across the whole multi-channel system
Most similar
Cascate del Varone
Italy
Height100 mWidth—
Also a cascade waterfall, of similar height and with caving
Largest curtain
Victoria Falls
Zimbabwe · Zambia
Height108 mWidth1,708 m
Largest single sheet of falling water
Tallest on earth
Angel Falls
Venezuela
Height979 mWidth—
Widest on earth
Khone Phapheng Falls
Laos
Height21 mWidth10,783 m
Measured across the whole multi-channel system
100 m
101 m
108 m
330 m
979 m
Cascate del VaroneGordale ScarVictoria FallsEiffel TowerAngel Falls
Khone Phapheng Falls
10,783 m
Victoria Falls
1,708 m
Angel Falls is 9.7× taller than Gordale Scar. It is about the same height as Victoria Falls (108 m). We don't have a reliable crest width for Gordale Scar yet, so it is left off the width chart. Tallest · widest lists.
Watch and read
Books worth packing
Lonely Planet ScotlandLonely Planet
Guidebook
Lonely Planet Scotland
Lonely Planet · 2025
Current Lonely Planet Scotland covering Glen Nevis, Kintail and the Moffat area.
The Rough Guide to ScotlandRough Guides
Guidebook
The Rough Guide to Scotland
Rough Guides · 2025
Current Rough Guide with Highland and Borders detail for Steall, Glomach and Grey Mare's Tail trips.
Lonely Planet WalesLonely Planet
Guidebook
Lonely Planet Wales
Lonely Planet · 2025
Current Lonely Planet Wales covering the Brecon Beacons (Bannau Brycheiniog) and its waterfall country.
On the map
54.07194, -2.13083
Quick answers
Where is Gordale Scar?
Gordale Scar is in United Kingdom (Malham). The nearest base is Malham, United Kingdom. Its coordinates are 54.0719, -2.1308.
How tall is Gordale Scar?
Gordale Scar drops 101 metres (331 feet). It is a cascade-type waterfall.
When is the best time to visit Gordale Scar?
Peak flow is April to June and October. Spring snowmelt and rain make April to June the fullest months; October adds colour, and a hard winter can freeze the face.
What can you do at Gordale Scar?
Beyond the viewpoints: caving, hiking and photography. Access to the main viewpoint is rated moderate — a real walk — expect stairs, uneven ground or an hour on the trail.
How do you get to Gordale Scar?
The usual base is Malham, United Kingdom. A real walk — expect stairs, uneven ground or an hour on the trail from there.
Nearby
Closest to Gordale Scar
Janet's Foss
United Kingdom · 1 km away
Janet's Foss is a small waterfall near the village of Malham, North Yorkshire, England. It carries Gordale…
Caving
Aysgarth Falls
United Kingdom · 30 km away
Aysgarth Falls are a triple flight of waterfalls, surrounded by woodland and farmland, carved out by the…
Hardraw Force
United Kingdom · 91 m · 30 km away
Hardraw Force is a waterfall on Hardraw Beck in Hardraw Scar, a wooded ravine just outside the hamlet of…
Swimming
Kisdon Force
United Kingdom · 500 m · 40 km away
Kisdon Force is a series of waterfalls on the River Swale in Swaledale, England. The falls are situated…