Pendle Hill


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Pendle Hill

1st March 2025

Overview

Ascent:	1,167 Feet - 356 Metres
Marilyn:	Pendle Hill
Weather:	Bright & Sunny, Little Wind. Highs of 8°C Lows of 3°C Feels Like -1°C
Parking:	Car Park, Barley
Area:	Forest of Bowland (Detached)
Miles:	4.7
Walking With:	On My Own
Ordnance Survey:	OL103
Time Taken:	2 Hours 20 Minutes
Route:	Barley - Pendle Way - Lower Ogden Reservoir - Upper Ogden Reservoir - Boar Clough - Pendle Hill - Pendle House - Pendle Way - Barley

Parking Details and Map

Nearest Post Code:	BB12 9JT
Grid Reference:	SD 823 403
Notes:	Parking charges up to 30 minutes free Up to 3Hrs £1.50 Over 3Hrs £3.00 (The free 30 minutes is to allow visitors to use the toilets and to visit the Cabin)

Map and Photo Gallery

Pendle Hill from New Church in Pendle 3°C 07:10am

Unfortunately no Lakeland fells for me today owing to some spring cleaning around the garden so I thought with today being the better day out the weekend I'd kill two birds with one stone and walk locally, well when I say locally Pendle Hill is still an 80 mile round trip for me but with the early start it meant I'd be home well before lunch time.

I arrived in Barley 5 minutes after taking this photo and I was surprised to find the barrier down on the car park but luckily I managed to park off road along with a couple more early starters who arrived after me. It was a brisk morning, no wind and getting brighter by the minute-it's still not shorts weather just yet but we're getting there. After locking the car I crossed the main street and joined The Pendle Way towards Lower Ogden Reservoir.

Nelson Waterworks (1912)

Within minutes I had joined The Pendle Way first passing the former Nelson Waterworks which has been converted into apartments while over to my left the sound of a stream fed by Lower Ogden Reservoir trickles into Barley village behind me.

Dam wall, Lower Ogden Reservoir.

The tarmac lane climbs steadily towards Lower Ogden Reservoir where I spotted a walker with their collie dog, the pair strode left onto Far Banks before disappearing from view.

The view from Lower Ogden Reservoir.

That's Fell Wood seen over on the left which really reminded me of The Rigg on Haweswater with Buttock Wood seen centre and Ogden Clough in the distance.

What a stunner of a morning.

It didn't take long for me to lose the jacket leaving me with just my stretchy hoodie keeping me toastie.

In the sunlight now.

Sunrise over Lower Ogden Reservoir.

Next, The Pendle Way passes through Buttock Plantation and then onto Higher Ogden Reservoir and Ogden Clough.

Ogden Clough from Higher Ogden Reservoir.

It was while I was stood on the dam wall admiring the view was I overtaken by an elderly solo walker who was making his way at pace I might add towards Ogden Clough, who like me, stopped to delayer before he too disappeared from view.

Final look back on Higher Ogden Reservoir.

Ogden Clough.

The stream (out of shot over on the left) which feeds into the reservoirs begins its journey on Pendle Hill and is contributed by the surrounding moorland. When full, the reservoirs can hold up to 800 million litres of water.

Ogden Clough.

My route of ascent can be seen over on the right on the other side of Boar Clough.

Views into Boar Clough.

It's been a really relaxing walk until I begin my ascent alongside Boar Clough, but with that said, it's only a short but steady ascent until the summit shoulder is reached.

Thats moor like it...

...parden the pun!

Pendle Hill summit comes into view.

Having crossed over the summit shoulder I joined the main footpath towards the summit soaking up the sunshine whilst enjoying the frozen moorland underfoot.

Mystical views towards the Lancashire town of Colne.

Pendle Hill summit.

I'd passed half a dozen people prior to reaching the summit all bar one were fell runners.

Descending Pendle Hill via the steep stone path.

An alternative route of ascent/descent can be seen in the top right of the photo via the south flank of the summit. That's Pendle House below where I'll pick up The Pendle Way which will lead me back to Barley village.

Just follow the witches!

Sheep grazing.

With Barley Hill seen in the distance.

The Pendle Inn, Barley.

I was walking against the traffic back to Barley; most of the folk I'd passed were on the outward heading for Pendle Hill enjoying the crisp morning sunshine. It was approaching 09:30am by the time I arrived back at Barley, which by now was alive with locals, dog walkers, and tourists; even the local garage mechanics were out peering over the engine of a Mercedes.

I crossed the road to take a photo of the Pendle Inn before crossing back again before making my way towards the village car park, which by now was filling up nicely. Two car park attendants chatted to a pair of walkers and directed them onto the Pendle Way while more and more cars arrived. I people-watched from the comfort of the driver's seat whilst sipping on piping hot Vimto from my flask while contemplating whether I should eat my lunch at 09:30am in the morning. Aye, be reet, you've got a busy day ahead of you, I thow't.