Ogden Reservoirs from Barley
You circle two hidden reservoirs and run up the cleft of Ogden Clough right under the north face of Pendle Hill, on some of the quietest moor in Lancashire.
Effort: Good distance, solid climb
Underfoot: Some uneven or off-path ground
E3·T2 — how we grade routesMostly on runnable ground, but most runners still walk the steepest climbs.
A 13.2km loop from Barley beneath Pendle Hill, past the Upper and Lower Ogden reservoirs and up the deep trench of Ogden Clough onto the moor, with 409m of climbing. Quiet Lancashire moorland running in the shadow of Pendle.
You circle two hidden reservoirs and run up the cleft of Ogden Clough right under the north face of Pendle Hill, on some of the quietest moor in Lancashire.
The route
From the car park at Barley (BB12 9LB), pick up the Pendle Way and head up the valley past Lower Ogden and Upper Ogden reservoirs, the two Victorian waters that sit in the deep fold of Ogden Clough below Pendle Hill. Above the top reservoir the clough narrows and steepens, and the path climbs onto the western moor beneath Pendle Hill's Big End, reaching around 446m without taking in the summit itself. The loop swings back across the moor and drops to the reservoirs and Barley, 13.2km with 409m of climbing.
Pendle and the reservoirs
This is the quiet side of a famous hill. Pendle Hill draws crowds to its trig point, but the Ogden Clough approach stays peaceful, a steep-sided valley of dark water and rough grazing under the whaleback of the fell. The reservoirs were built to supply Nelson and Colne in the mill years, and the Pendle Way threads the whole valley. Pendle carries a heavy history too, the 1612 witch trials playing out in the villages below, which gives the moor an atmosphere all of its own in cloud.
Why it works
It is a proper hill loop that most runners overlook in favour of the direct Pendle push from Barley. You get the reservoirs, the clough and open moor, and a real sense of height, without the summit crowds. Save it for a clear day - Ogden Clough is enclosed and the moor above is exposed and boggy - and it is one of the best short moorland loops in Lancashire.
Good to know
Park at the Barley village car park (BB12 9LB), which has toilets and the Cabin cafe alongside for afterwards. The clough path is rough and wet in places and the moor above holds water year-round, so expect muddy feet. Pendle catches weather off the Irish Sea and the top of the clough is exposed, so carry a windproof whatever the forecast. Grouse shooting affects the moor between August and December.
Ogden Clough is steep, rough and enclosed, and the moor above is exposed and boggy year-round, needing care in cloud. Pendle catches fast-changing weather off the Irish Sea. Grouse shooting affects the moor between August and December.
Safety on this route
- No signal? Text 999 — pre-register first: text register to 999
- Tell someone your route and expected return time before you head out
Leave No Trace
- Leave nothing but footprints, take nothing but memories.
- Please respect the countryside and all its inhabitants.
- Dogs on leads near livestock, and around ground-nesting birds from March to July.
- Gates as you find them — open or closed, leave it that way for the farmer and the next runner.
- Take it all home — wrappers, peel, tissue, the lot. It doesn't count as biodegradable if you can still see it.
- Stick to the path where the ground either side is wet, planted, or nesting habitat.
Common questions
About the author
Runner reports
Ran this route? Rate it, share conditions, log your time — helps other runners plan their day.
No runner feedback yet
Be the first to run this and report back — ratings appear once a few runners have shared their experience.
No runs logged yet — be the first.
More routes in Forest of Bowland
HARD