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Trail Running Planet · Forest of Bowland · Pendle Hill

Pendle Hill from Barley

Pendle Hill stands alone above the Lancashire plain, so the summit view is enormous, and the hill carries the weight of the 1612 witch trials in every place name around it.

Distance

13.6 km

Ascent

494 m

Descent

493 m

Max elevation

554 m

Route type

Loop

Est. time

1h 55m – 2h 35m

Grade

Hard

Navigation

map_skills

Parking

BB12 9JX

Dogs

Welcome

Best seasons

spring, summer, autumn

About this route

A 13.6km loop from Barley over the summit of Pendle Hill, at 557m the great whaleback of east Lancashire, with around 510m of climbing. Steep moorland running with a huge view and a heavy history.

Hazards & notes

The summit plateau is broad, exposed and disorientating in mist, and Ogden Clough holds boggy ground, so carry a map and compass. The direct climb is steep and slick when wet. Grouse shooting affects the moor between August and December.

Emergency

Call 999 or 112 → ask for Police → request Mountain Rescue. Register Emergency SMS: text "register" to 999.

Full route, GPX download & live conditions:

https://trailrunningplanet.com/routes/england/forest-of-bowland/pendle-hill/pendle-hill-from-barley

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