Sabden Village Loop

Come along for an 8 mile walk exploring the area around the village of Sabden.

Sabden is a medium-to-large village in the scenic Ribble Valley, Lancashire. It lies in the Forest of Pendle section of the Forest of Bowland Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The village is surrounded by farmland, moors and wooded hillsides, making it feel as though you could be a long way from anywhere built up, but is in fact only 20 minutes drive away from Burnley and about half an hours drive to Preston.

Join us for a walk in this picturesque area, just round the corner from Pendle Hill for an 8 mile walk with some slight hills along the way. Nothing too difficult and all abilities are welcome, as are dogs but be mindful of livestock in fields and that there will be some stiles to get over along the route too.

We will set off from the centre of the village and make our way up the valley along a bridleway following the meandering Sabden Brook.
Heading up the side of the valley over farmland towards the looming Pendle Hill, through a pretty little woodland with a stream babbling through it, before swinging left along the valley side. We are welcomed at this point of the walk to beautiful open views over Sabden and beyond, on a clear day you can even see all the way out to sea. There is also an interesting bit of history here, a line of thin upright stones, a vaccary wall, originally enclosing cattle pasture, it is believed to be the oldest wall in the valley.
It's then onward past a small pine forest, along a bracken covered hillside and down to Churn Clough Reservoir, which was opened in 1892 and extended soon after. During the summer drought in 1995 water was pumped overland from this reservoir to Ogden Clough near Barley to feed the town of Nelson. Well stocked with Trout, Churn Clough is a popular site for anglers as well as the locals choice place for walking their dogs. We will most likely stop here for a lunch break, making the most of the views down the valley from the dam wall before continuing on with the rest of the walk.
We then make another steady short climb upwards, towards the Nick of Pendle, again with fantastic far reaching views out towards Blackburn and beyond.
We continue to follow the side of the valley passing Sabden as we head in the direction of Wiswell and Whalley. After heading down into the valley bottom, crossing Sabden Brook to change sides of the valley and then back up the other side, we return towards Sabden, taking in more wooded hillsides, open grassy fields and farmland along the way.

We will finish the walk back in the centre of the village, where the local shop is a stones throw away for some refreshment before heading home.

Dogs are welcome to join us for this walk, though there are a number of fields with livestock and some stiles along the route that might not be suitable for them to easily navigate alone.

Photos: All photos taken by kge85 and full permission given to OutdoorLads for their use. 

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COVID-19 – IMPORTANT, Please read the following before you sign up to this event:

• Anyone with COVID-19 symptoms, even if they are extremely mild, or who lives or is in a support bubble with someone showing symptoms, is asked not to attend. This is in line with the government’s coronavirus advice.
• You must also immediately self-isolate and not attend the event if you or someone in your household or support bubble shows coronavirus symptoms or tests positive. You can find the NHS self-isolation guidance here.
• The main symptoms of COVID-19 are a high temperature, a new continuous cough, and a loss or change to your sense of taste and/or smell.
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• All are required to practice social distancing – staying 2m (not 1m) apart at all times, including the lunch stop. Remember: Face, Hands, Space.
• Unfortunately, there won’t be any planned pub / café stops en route or at the end, and please don’t share sweets or snacks with others – we’re sorry!
• Please bring your own hand sanitising gel for your own use throughout the day. Use of face coverings is at your own choice, but please bring one with you just in case it's needed. Please bring any other PPE items required. Bring a disposable bag for any used PPE.
• Members are advised to bring their own small first aid kit for personal use..
• Be aware that opportunities for toilet stops may be minimal if facilities are closed.
• Please, please cancel at your earliest opportunity if you are unable to attend or are unwell, so that we can allow others to take up these valuable event spaces.
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