The routes outlined below are for guidance only.
For details of public transport go to www.traveline.info. The destination address for Barley is Barley Green (Lancs) Lancashire.
The OS map covering the area is OL41 Forest of Bowland and Ribblesdale.
The walks are of medium length with rugged terrain and some steep climbs. The summit is open moorland subject to quickly changing weather conditions. Sturdy footwear for uneven and slippery conditions underfoot is essential as is warm waterproof clothing.
There are food outlets and toilets at Barley and Downham. However, it would be advisable to carry your own food and drink as they can become very busy.
As there are sheep grazing freely on the hill, together with plenty of rabbits and grouse, it is essential that if you bring a dog it is under close control.
All walkers should follow the Countryside Code.
Long route (2.9 miles / 4.7 km each way) on well-used tracks with few steep climbs.
Climb up should take about 90 minutes.
Roadside parking at Nick (SD 772 384). No toilets.
Nearest toilets at car park in Sabden (SD 779 373)
Directions:
From the small car park at the Nick cross the road and take any of the paths opposite – they eventually converge. The broad path gradually rises towards the first summit (Apronfull Hill) with Churn Clough Reservoir visible on the right. Continue over two further rises until the path levels out.
In a short distance the path starts to descend gradually towards a valley – Ogden Clough. If the weather is clear you should be able to see the summit of Pendle straight ahead. After a pile of stones the path turns slightly left towards the upper part of the Clough. Follow the path which is initially high above the stream. After about 1 kilometre (3/4 mile), as you get higher up the clough, the path and stream get close together until the main path crosses the stream to a gate.
Go through the gate and climb steeply for a short distance to reach the start of a flagged path. Follow the flags to the end and keep going in the same direction (Bearing of 65°) for about 100 metres to reach the summit cairn and the white Trig Point (OS Triangulation Station) at SD 80463 41408.
Moderate route (1.9 miles / 3 km each way) with steep section up a stone-stepped track.
Climb up should take about 60 minutes.
Car park, café and toilets in Barley village at SD 823 403. The nearest post code for the car park is BB12 9JX.
Directions:
From the car park in Barley walk past the toilets and continue along the path that comes out on the road by the Pendle Inn. Turn right and walk along the road for about 100 metres until just past Meadow Bank Farm you can turn left on a footpath beside the beck. Follow the path by the beck over the footbridge to the minor road and turn left. After the white cottage turn right and walk up the path to Brown House Farm. Bear right at the stile in front of the house and then sharp left at a second stile up the hillside towards Pendle House Farm (30 min).
Cross the field above Pendle House Farm to the stile by the wall. Climb up the stone-stepped path diagonally right up the Big End all the way to the top where there is gap stile with steps in the stone wall. (The path beyond this stile leads down to Fox’s Well.) Turn left and walk up by the wall a short distance to a ladder stile and gate. Don’t cross the stile but turn left and follow the gradually rising path up to the summit cairn and the white Trig Point (OS Triangulation Station) at SD 80463 41408.
Follow the same route to return to Barley.
Shorter version of Barley route (1.1 miles / 1.8 km each way).
Climb up should take about 45 – 60 minutes.
Roadside parking near to SD 814 416 (1 mile/1.5 km from Barley village car park. No toilets).
Cafe and toilets in Barley village.
Directions:
From the road walk up the farm lane keeping to the right at forks as indicated by the signs for Pendle. After 600 metres / 10 minutes, just beyond the farm building you pass on the right, turn right to a gate and stile. Go through this stile and the one above and follow the stone-stepped path by the wall. The path curves to the right above the wall and climbs steeply with stone steps up the Big End all the way to the top where there is a gap stile with steps in the stone wall (the path beyond this stile leads down to Fox’s Well). Turn left and walk up by the wall a short distance to a ladder stile and gate. Don’t cross the stile but turn left and follow the gradually rising path up to the summit cairn and the white Trig Point at SD 80463 41408.
Follow the same route to return to Barley.
Click here for a Downham Circular Walk via Pendle Hill (7 miles), or here for an alternative route from Downham to Pendle Hill (8 miles). These are fairly long routes with a boggy section followed by a steep climb.
Car park and toilets in Downham (SD 7846 4411). The nearest post code for the car park is BB7 4BS.
Pub and several cafes in the village.
The walk from Downham can be shortened (3 miles / 5 km) by starting where the route crosses the road at SD 7981 4324.
There is just enough space to get a couple of cars off the road.
This route is the most direct one to Fox’s Well. Branch left off the path up a steep slope at SD 8020 4215 onto a path that is no more than a sheep track and follow it up to Fox’s Well at SD 80490 42002. Shortest route up Pendle (3 miles / 5 km) but still with the boggy section and a steep climb and a narrow, tricky, final path.
The key to finding Fox’s Well is the gap stile in the stone wall right at the top of the stepped stony track from Pendle House Farm (SD 80600 41850).
This gap stile is 470 metres (5 minutes walk) NNE of the summit Trig Point.
Cross the wall by the gap stile and follow the gradually descending grassy track northwards for 200 metres. Fox’s Well is just above where the small stream crosses the track and has a square metal cover over it (SD 80490 42002).