Forest of Bowland Walk
Pendle Hill from Barley Green

Walk Route Description

      
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Pendle Hill is famous for its connection with the "Witches of Pendle" and the outward section of this walk follows the Pendle Way, which is identified by a witch on her broomstick! The walk is graded medium because in poor weather navigation on Pendle Hill can be confusing and inexperienced walkers should give this route a 'miss' if cloud is likely to drop onto the hill. A longer version of this walk is detailed in walk 1287.

The start is the car park at Barley Green (Grid ref. SD823403) where there is an information centre, cafe and toilets. From the car park take the lane heading north into the village of Barley turning left onto the signed "Pendle Way" (Grid ref. 821405) after approximately 300 metres. The well marked path climbs steadily to Ing Ends and onto Brown House. Ahead can be seen the steep slope that leads to the summit plateau of Pendle Hill.

After Brown House the path crosses fields to reach Pendle House after which the path steepens to climb diagonally across the slope. The path is paved in sections and despite the angle you will soon have completed most of the ascent and reached a wall. Do not cross the wall but turn round and head across the relatively flat summit area to the trig point located about 400 metres to the south.

On a fine day there are excellent views across Lancashire and into the Yorkshire Dales. Leave the summit on the clear path south that follows the edge, which is on your left hand side. You will reach the point where a path descends left. Ignore this to continue across the moor losing height as you descend to a stile (Grid ref. 807401) above Buttock. Cross the stile and descend east crossing a grassy area to reach a track. Turn right down the track and descend to the base of the dam wall of Upper Ogden Reservoir.

You have the option of climbing up to the dam to enjoy the view of this beautifully located expanse of water with wild moorland on all sides. Return to the base of the dam wall and take the clear track east to pass alongside Lower Ogden Reservoir. This lane leads without any problems to bring you back to the start.

 
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OS Map showing start

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Recommended Reading

Walking in the Forest of Bowland and Pendle

A guidebook to 40 diverse circular day walks suitable for walkers with navigational skills. The Forest of Bowland and Pendle are two of north west England's upland AONBs, perfect for walkers who enjoy exploring rough hilly, sometimes pathless terrain. The routes include Ward's Stone, Pendle Hill, Longridge Fell and Fair Snape Fell.
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