Pendle Hill from Barley Green (use in mist)

This Lancashire route in the Forest of Bowland starts from the attractive village of Barley Green and climbs to the summit of Pendle Hill using the direct route. The descent is easier in mist or poor visibility. With strong associations to the witches of Pendle this walk also provides superb views over parts of Lancashire and the Yorkshire Dales.

Technical sheet

293237
A Barley-with-Wheatley Booth walk posted on 04/07/16 by Walking Britain. Last update : 04/08/16
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.76 km
  • ◔
    Calculated time: 3h 10 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 329 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 331 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 552 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 221 m

Description

(S/E) 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. This 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.

(1) 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.

(2) On a misty day it is easier to stay on the Pendle Way which means carrying straight on past the trig point then, after 275m, bear right at a point where 2 paths diverge. The route is marked by a series of stone mounds and starts to descend from the top of the hill until it is apparent that you are walking along the right side of Boar Clough. At the point where Ogden Clough comes down from your right, cross the Boar clough stream and take the path down and to the left towards the top of the Upper Ogden Reservoir.Take the clear track east to pass alongside Lower Ogden Reservoir. This lane leads without any problems to bring you back to the start(S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 223 m - Car park
  2. 1 : km 1.36 - alt. 285 m - Brown House
  3. 2 : km 3.05 - alt. 552 m - Pendle hill
  4. S/E : km 7.76 - alt. 223 m

Useful Information

Pendle Hill rises from the surrounding countryside in a dramatic fashion. The 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 on way marks by a witch on her broomstick. This route is graded medium despite being designed for use in misty weather as careful navigation is still required.

Always stay careful and alert while following a route. Visorando and the author of this walk cannot be held responsible in the event of an accident during this route.

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 3 reviews

Clarity of route description
5 / 5
Clarity of route map
4.3 / 5
Walk interest
4.3 / 5
Keith Dobson
Keith Dobson

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : 19/06/22
Clarity of route description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Walk interest : ★★★★★ Very good

An incredible well described route. Car parking description was exactly as in the detail and getting onto Pendle way was good. There are three two routes at the base of the hill, intermediate and difficult. The difficult one is not too onerous with several stops to catch your breath on the way. Views are incredible. Be careful to keep checking the route by the map and description after the trig point and on the descent. After 275m the path diverges, keep to the right path (most ramblers tend to wander left) to keep on the true Pendle way route marked by mounds of stones or you will miss the value of the walk and descent along Boar Clough stream. The rest past the reservoir is straightforward. If you keep the Visorando app map open and you veer off route, it conveniently beeps to show you that you have gone off route and will indicate directions how to get back on course
Thoroughly enjoyable route which including flask and sandwich stop takes just under 3 hours

Tony Burnham
Tony Burnham

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : 23/12/18
Clarity of route description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Walk interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Enjoyed the walk

Tony Burnham
Tony Burnham

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : 18/11/18
Clarity of route description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Walk interest : ★★★★☆ Good

enjoyable walk

Other walks in the area

For more walks, use our search engine.

The GPS track and description are the property of the author.

Loading…