A mellow walk up and around Lancashire's small but iconic witches' peak.
Walking Route - Pendle Hill, Lancashire
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Barley > Pendle
Hill > Ogden Reservoir > Barley
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Average Time: 3 hours 35
minutes
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Distance: 7 miles
(11km)
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Height Gain: 1101ft (336m)
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Steeped in history and folklore, Pendle Hill is truly
iconic, with a whole region named after a hill that only
reaches 1820 ft but is visible for miles around.
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Maps: OS OL41, Landranger
103
Online: Streetmap
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Strenuousness: 1
Technicality: 1
Photo Grade: 2
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Start Point: SD
821 404
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There are times when a hill doesn't have to make the magic 2000ft
height to have a presence beyond its statistical stature. Steeped in
history and folklore, the distinctive peak of Pendle Hill is truly
iconic, with a whole region named after a hill that only reaches 1820
ft but is visible for miles around.
The area's probably best known for the Pendle Witches of the 17th
Century who were hanged after confessing to the murder, by witchcraft,
of 17 people. Moorhouse Pendle Witches Brew lives on and makes an
appropriate post-walk tipple.
This half-day walk takes in not only the hill itself but parts of
the surrounding Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Section 1: Barley to Pendle Hill
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Distance: 1.8 miles (2.9km)
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Height Gain: 1101ft (336m)
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Average Time: 1 hour 20 mins
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From the car park in Barley head north through the
village, passing the Barley Mow pub on the left to a footpath on the
left just after the houses.
Take this path, which forms part of the Pendle Way, with the
stream on your right to a gate. Turn left after the second bridge
then right where the path splits. Take the left branch at the next
fork then right through the gate 50 yards on.
All the better for a dusting of snow, pic by Diddy
A cobbled path leads past an isolated house to a small kissing
gate, then across a field to another gate. Keep to the right across
this field and use the gate in the corner, then turn right to begin
the steep ascent of Pendle Hill.
From here a stone highway leads steeply non stop to a stile at the
edge of the summit plateau, but turn left instead of crossing the
stile to reach the summit trig point.
Section 2: Pendle Hill to Ogden Reservoir
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Distance: 2.4 miles (3.9km)
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Height Gain: 39ft (12m)
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From the trig point take a right turn and cross open moorland for 150
yards. On a well maintained path continue downhill to a fork. Take the
left branch at the fork and continue on to a stream, which you should
cross at the first chance.
The view from the top - John
Fitzpatrick
Keep the stream to your right now as you make your way down to,
then alongside, Upper Ogden Reservoir to join another stone
lined path. Turn left here.
Section 3: Ogden Reservoir to Barley
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Distance: 2.5 miles (4km)
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Height Gain: 406ft (124m)
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Average Time: 1 hour 15 mins
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Continue along the reservoir path to
Lower Ogden Reservoir
then turn right over the bridge and down a set of steps.
Cross the bridge at the foot of the steps and continue through
Fell Wood to the far side. Ignore the path continuing straight ahead,
but turn right alongside the boundary wall climbing slightly to a
stile.
Turn left after the stile to another stile, then turn half right
on reaching a signpost for the Pendle Way. Cross the field to yet
another stile and take the steps down into Newchurch.
Pendle Hill again, snow free this time - John
Fitzpatrick
Cross the road then turn right down Jinney Lane before taking a
stile on the left just beyond the last house. Cross the field ahead
and take the short path through the trees to a further stile.
At the wall ahead turn right, with the wall on your left and
continue across further stiles until you reach a green lane. Turn
left along this green lane to the road where a right turn, then
another, will lead you back into Barley.
Note: Average time ratings are calculated for a notional
average walker and take height gain into account. You may be faster
or slower than the notional average, but they provide a starting
point.
