Walking Britain Forest of Bowland Walk
A circuit of Pendle Hill from Barley Green
Walk Route Description
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Pendle Hill is famous for its connection with the "Witches of Pendle". This route makes a circuit of the plateau that forms the summit complementing a shorter ascent detailed in walk 1267. This route does use one section of hard to follow path so it is an idea to ensure you have map and compass skills if poor visibility is likely.
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The start is the car park at Barley Green (Grid ref. SD823403) where there is an information centre, cafe and toilets. Exit the car park onto the road and turn right to reach a cross-roads in a few metres. Go straight across following a lane between houses and past a waterworks on your right to reach Lower Ogden Reservoir. Stay on the lane and continue west. You will soon reach the dam for Upper Ogden Reservoir. When the lane bears right and climbs fork left and head to the base of the dam wall.
The path climbs to the right and then follows the northern shore of the reservoir. Ignore the path signed Pendle Hill going right and continue into the valley of clough ahead. The path crosses the stream (Grid ref. SD 792402) and climbs onto the moor above the stream but still following it as it swings northeast. Ignore any paths not following the stream including a signed path that goes right towards the summit of Pendle Hill. Instead stay on a narrow trod keeping the stream on your right to reach a wall (Grid ref. SD 797413) that goes left (northwest). Follow this wall to reach a ladder stile after 500 metres.
At the stile you should, weather permitting get a grand view across the Ribble Valley to the Yorkshire Dales. Cross the stile and, keeping the edge of the escarpment, follow a narrow path that heads east. After one kilometre this joins a path coming up from Downham. Turn right following a clear path to the summit of Pendle Hill.
Leave the summit on a clear path south. Stay near the edge of the escarpment which should be on your left. After 600 metres (Grid ref. SD 804408) look out for a descending path that heads northeast down the escarpment. Take this to Pendle House. Turn left along the access road to reach Barley Lane (Grid ref. SD 814416). Turn right down the lane and after a few metres take the signed footpath on your left. This leads across a field to a track. Turn left along this and just opposite the first house turn right through a gate into the field. The path follows the hedge which should be on your left. Despite little use this path takes you to Lower Black Moss Reservoir. Turn right here where a signed path leads you back to Barley
Please maintain social distancing - keep at least 2 metres away from other walkers. This applies in England. Wales & Scotland have different and stricter rules which do not allow walking away from home.
Maps | |||
| Ordnance Survey Explorer OL41 | Sheet Map | 1:25k | BUY |
| Anquet OS Explorer OL41 | Digital Map | 1:25k | BUY |
| Ordnance Survey Landranger 103 | Sheet Map | 1:50k | BUY |
| Anquet OS Landranger 103 | Digital Map | 1:50k | BUY |
It is recommended you take a map. The preferred scale is 1:25k. | |||
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Recommended Reading
Walking in Lancashire
This guidebook describes 39 circular day walks from 5 to 13 miles and one linear route. The countryside ranges from the low lying land around Cockerham, Lytham, Martin Mere and Croston to the heights of Boulsworth Hill, Ward's Stone, Fair Snape Fell and Pendle Hill. All walks are suitable for most abilities, mainly following paths and tracks.
More information
