The geology of the Yorkshire Dales is sedimentary rocks from the Carboniferous Age. This appears on the surface as limestone pavement.

Last but not least, and my favourite Yorkshire Dales location of all, is the chocolate-box village of Malham. The walk around Malham Cove, a 70-metre-high white limestone cliff, is a natural wonder.

The Dales contain some of the most dramatic exposed limestone cliffs, gorges and a fretwork of limestone pavements in the UK. The hills are riddled with limestone caves dating back to the Ice Age.

It is a fine village with probably the best limestone scenery in the Dales. However it does get busy for most times of the year, so go soon! Leave the car park in Malham and head towards the centre.

Pick your way across the limestone rock of the pavement at Malham Cove with care; in the wet, it is slippy. However, there is a faint path to the right which is the easiest underfoot.

The walk between Buckden and Grassington showcases all that is best in the Yorkshire Dales but awkward to do. There is no obvious circular so take the bus. The walk itself combines a delightful ...

Limestone, especially limestone pavement, is extremely rare worldwide and the Yorkshire Dales have half of all the UK examples.