Gordale Scar is a dramatic limestone ravine near to Malham, North Yorkshire, England. It is home to two waterfalls and has overhanging cliffs of limestone over 100 metres high. The gorge was formed by water from melting glaciers . Gordale Scar is one of the main highlights of any visit to Malham. The stream flowing through the scar is Gordale Beck, which unites with Malham Beck 2 miles downstream to form the River Aire. A right of way leads up the gorge, but needs some mild scrambling over tufa at the lower waterfall.
William Wordsworth wrote a sonnet about this vast gorge with its impressive waterfalls and James Ward created a large and imaginative painting of it that can be seen in the Tate Gallery in London.
