OCT 2020 – 5 Miles – PENDLE HILL (FOREST OF BOWLAND)

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Total Distance: 5 Miles
Highest Point: 1827 Feet
Total Realistic Time: ~3 Hours

Pendle Hill is in the east of Lancashire, England, near the towns of Burnley, Nelson, Colne, Clitheroe and Padiham. Its summit is 557 metres (1,827 ft) above mean sea level. It gives its name to the Borough of Pendle. It is an isolated hill in the Pennines, separated from the South Pennines to the east, the Bowland Fells to the northwest, and the West Pennine Moors to the south. It is included in detached part of the Forest of Bowland Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

The hill is also famous for its links to three events which took place in the 17th century: the Pendle witch trials (1612), Richard Towneley’s barometer experiment (1661), and the vision of George Fox(1652), which led to the foundation of the Religious Society of Friends (Quaker) movement.  Read more here:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pendle_Hill

Parking at Barley Car Park For Pendle Hill with Shop, there is a donation box to help support the up keep of the facilities, suggestion of at least £1. There are public toilets available as well as a shop with a cafe in the next building, inside or outside seating available.

barley car park for pendle hill

A slight detour from the original planned route, it still turned out to be a 5 mile route. It was misty and raining, difficult to see the smaller paths, so we took the main path that we could actually see in front of us.

Pendle hill trail

From the car park headed towards Pendle Inn, just past that you will see a signed footpath pointing to Pendle Hill. There is a clear path towards bottom of Pendle Hill. Lovely scenery along the way.

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There are a couple of paths heading to the Pendle Hill trig point, we took the one to the right, clear steps on a gradual up hill climb.

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There is shelter at the top before you get to the trig point, a good spot to shelter from the wind for a little break.

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Then to the trig point, we were unlucky with the weather. Very misty and light rain, so we could not see much at the top. I believe on a clear day you can see Blackpool Tower. Looks like we will have to do this one again to see that.

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Here are some of the views we had from Pendle Hill towards Upper Ogden Reservoir.

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View of Lower Ogden Reservoir further away.

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View of Upper Ogden Reservoir.

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Walked along the reservoir which takes you back into Barley, back to the car park.

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Then back at the car park we went into the cafe for a well deserved late lunch. They have a fine selection of food to choose from, they also do all day breakfast.

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Enjoyed the refreshing walk, it is a shame we did not get to see the views at the top of Pendle Hill, maybe another time.

GENERAL EQUIPMENT

  • Apple iPhone XS (for use of OS apps for lazy mapping and photos/videos)
  • OS Maps app (premium version – I use for following the route)
  • Comfy walking shoes (most important)
  • Extra socks (keep the feet happy when needed)
  • Waterproof Jacket (always a must, the weather changes alot in the hills/mountains)
  • Long sleeve and/or short sleeve (for layering)
  • Neck scarf (extra warmth and protection if needed)
  • Woolly hat (keep your head and particularly my ears warm)
  • Gloves (if scrambling is required)
  • 2 litres of water
  • Flask with Hot drink (a good cuppa is always welcome)
  • ibuprofen (helping hand if you have any aches and pains)
  • Food and snacks (fuel to keep you going)

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