Witch way? Pendle Hill (without the climb)

Pendle Hill is a fantastic place to go walking... but it's a big old hill that takes a good effort to get up!
So, come for a walk to take in the views around Pendle Hill, with a visit to the Pendle sculpture trail along the way, avoiding the actual getting to the top.

We will be starting in the little village of Barley. There is a cafe at the start point that serves breakfasts and snacks, as well as hot & cold drinks and ice creams, from 9:30am-3:00pm, so feel free to arrive early and fuel up for the walk ahead. Don’t forget £1 to pay for parking.

From Barley we begin by following Pendle Water, the river that runs through the village a short way before heading up through some fantastic woodlands home to a local outdoor education centre. Coming out into open fields we head along the hill top and then into another wooded area through which we head down to find Blacko Water in the valley bottom. We continue with a long but gentle climb, over farmland and onwards to a great viewpoint of Pendle Hill, then down and along the side of Black Moss reservoir before heading up into the woodland that is home to the Pendle Sculpture Trail.

The Pendle Sculpture trail is located in an atmospheric woodland setting where art, history and nature all come together against the stunning backdrop of Pendle Hill. Four artists have created a unique and intriging range of sculptures hidden among the trees on the wooded hillside. Their work is inspired by the history of the Pendle Witches of 1612 and the nature in this wild and beautiful corner of Lancashire.

After a stop for lunch amongst the trees and sculptures, it's onwards and upwards to the base of Pendle Hill. We follow the path along the base of the imposing hill, with more amazing views, eventually heading down to Lower Ogden Reservoir, through another stunning woodland and then back down toward Barley. We then arrive back at the car park, hopefully with the chance for an optional welcomed refreshment stop, before finishing the walk and heading home.

This walk is not the best for dogs, as there are a few rather large stiles to navigate along the way. (I found out the hard way, after having to pick up a very muddy dog to carrry him over!) But feel free to bring them along if you so wish and don't mind helping them over the stiles. Please remember to keep dogs on a lead through farmland with animals and to pick up after them.

All photos taken by Kge85 on a previous walk in the area. Outdoorlads has permisson to use them.

IMPORTANT! - Participation Statement

You MUST complete a Participation Statement, here, in addition to booking your event space before attending an OutdoorLads event. You only need to complete this Participation Statement once, not for each event you attend. 

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.
• You may be subject to local lockdown restrictions, which you must fully comply with. Details of the location of these restrictions can be found here for England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.   
• We do not encourage car sharing to events during the pandemic. Please comply with the safety travel guidance for England, Wales, and Scotland. Face coverings should be worn on public transport.
• OutdoorLads will support the tracing systems in place across the UK  and attendance at an OutdoorLads event is considered permission to use contact details for this purpose if requested by the appropriate authority.  
• 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.
• Much as it's difficult - no handshakes or hugs!

COVID-19: Events Participation Statement

OutdoorLads draws your attention to the fact that travelling and being away from home increases the risk of receiving and transmitting Coronavirus, whilst it is present in the UK. You are likely to choose not to participate in OutdoorLads events whilst there is a risk of Coronavirus transmission. However, should you choose to participate in OutdoorLads events whilst the risk is present, you must be aware of and follow the law and government guidelines, both when travelling to and from events as well as when participating in events.

Please note that every person participating should be aware of (and accept) that those members perceived as ‘in charge’ or leading the event are not experts,  do not need to be experts, and are not regarded by OutdoorLads, or themselves as experts, but are amateurs with some experience in the event type and who are happy to impart their knowledge.  Any advice given should be considered with this in mind by the recipient.

By signing up to and attending an OutdoorLads event, you are confirming that you have read, understood and accept the content of this statement.

Please see our website for more information including an FAQ about our events.