Image shared for Pendle Hill
Route-dependent; steep climbs

Pendle Hill

557m Elevation
395m Prominence
England Country
Find walking friends Explore routes

Good walks are even better shared.

Overview

Pendle Hill is a 557 m Lancashire landmark in a detached part of the Forest of Bowland National Landscape. Barley is a useful starting point for the steep Big End steps or a longer circuit by the Ogden reservoirs. The broad, exposed summit has a trig point and far-reaching views across the Ribble Valley and Yorkshire Dales. Allow for wet moorland, changing weather and a sustained climb.

Pendle Hill

Pendle Hill rises to 557 m above Lancashire, with a trig point on the open summit of the Big End. It is a Marilyn, Dodd and Dewey, and lies in a detached part of the Forest of Bowland National Landscape.

Choosing a walk

Barley provides a convenient starting point with parking, toilets and refreshments. The direct route climbs by Brown House and Pendle House to the Big End steps. Returning the same way makes a walk of about 6 km; the steep climb deserves time and care.

For a circuit, the council’s 8 km route heads out past the Ogden reservoirs, climbs by Boar Clough and returns down the Big End steps. Allow up to four hours. A longer, approximately 11.3 km circuit climbs the steps first, descends Ogden Clough and returns through Fell Wood and Newchurch. Its published time is 4–5 hours. These are distinct routes, with different distances and return legs.

Ground and conditions

Stone steps and flagged paths give way to rough grass, wet moorland and farm tracks. The summit is exposed, and mist can make the open top difficult to navigate. On the longer circuit, take particular care on the Ogden Clough descent and at stream crossings. Keep dogs close around livestock.

Landscape and history

On a clear day the panorama reaches across the Ribble Valley and Bowland towards the Yorkshire Three Peaks, with Lake District fells farther away. The upper escarpment exposes Pendle Grit, a Carboniferous sandstone.

The name combines British and English words for hill. The Pendle area is linked with the 1612 witchcraft prosecutions at Lancaster Castle, while George Fox’s account of his 1652 ascent and vision connects the hill with early Quaker history.

Getting there

Service 66 links Barley and Downham with Clitheroe and Nelson. Check the current timetable, return journey and local parking signs before travelling. Carry a map, suitable footwear, waterproofs, food and water.

Explore routes near Pendle Hill

Walks starting near this hill. Open a route to check its map, distance and full itinerary.

Clitheroe Walk with Men Walking & Talking

View route

Thieveley Pike, The Singing Ringing Tree loop from Holme Chapel

9.5 km ~3h Moderate

View route

Stocks Reservoir: full circuit from School Lane

11.1 km ~4h Moderate

View route

Skipton to Gargrave Canal Walk

16.5 km ~4h 45m Moderate

View route

Route planning notes

These notes describe possible approaches. Check a route's map and access information when planning your walk.

Barley via Ogden Reservoirs and Boar Clough circular

Start and finish at Barley car park (SD823403). Follow Barley Green past Lower and Upper Ogden Reservoirs, then climb by Boar Clough and across Barley Moor to the summit. Descend the Big End steps, returning via Pendle House, Brown House and Ing Ends. The council leaflet gives 8 km and says the circuit can take up to four hours.

8 km

Barley via the Big End steps, out and back

Start at Barley car park (SD823403), follow the beck-side path and tracks via Brown House and Pendle House, then climb the steep stone steps up the Big End to the summit trig point. Return by the same route to the car park. About 6 km in total, based on the Quakers’ 3 km each-way route.

6 km Moderate

Barley, Pendle Hill and Newchurch circular

Start and finish at Barley car park. Climb the Big End steps to the summit, cross the flagged moorland path and descend Ogden Clough past Upper Ogden Reservoir. At Lower Ogden Reservoir continue through Fell Wood to Newchurch, then return by Jinny Lane and Heys Lane. The council’s 7-mile circuit is about 11.3 km and takes 4–5 hours; take care on the steep clough descent and stream crossings.

11.3 km
Browse more walks on the map

Make a day of it, together

Find someone to share the walk with, or organise a day out along a route you like.

Find walking friends Plan a walk here
Hill facts and local notes

Classifications

Marilyn Dodd Dewey

Elevation

557m

1,827 ft

Prominence

395m

Coordinates

53.8686, -2.2986

SD804414

OS Map

103

Explorer: OL21N OL41E

At the Summit

A trig point marks the 557 m summit on the broad, open top of the Big End.

Terrain & Geology

Steep stone steps pitched and flagged paths grassy moorland wet or boggy ground farm tracks fields and stiles

Pendle Hill’s upper escarpment exposes the Carboniferous Pendle Grit Member. This is mainly medium- to coarse-grained feldspathic sandstone, with subordinate siltstone and mudstone. Little Mearley Clough on the hill is its type section.

Views & Scenery

Views extend across the Ribble Valley and Bowland Fells to the Yorkshire Three Peaks. In clear conditions, distant Lake District summits can be visible beyond Bowland.

History & Heritage

Name Origin

Pendle combines the British element 'pen', meaning hill, with Old English 'hyll', also hill. A further English 'Hill' was added later, giving the familiar explanation 'hill, hill, hill'.

Historical Significance

The surrounding Pendle area is associated with the 1612 witchcraft prosecutions, whose Lancaster trials took place at Lancaster Castle. George Fox climbed Pendle Hill in 1652 and described a vision that became an important part of early Quaker history.

Getting There & Facilities

Parking

Barley village car park and picnic site (SD823403; BB12 9JX) serves the eastern approaches. Downham village car park (SD7846 4411; BB7 4BS) serves the northern side. Use designated parking and check signs for current charges and restrictions.

Public Transport

Service 66 between Clitheroe and Nelson serves Barley Mow and Downham. Check Lancashire County Council’s current timetable for the day of travel and plan the return bus before setting out.

Nearby Facilities

Barley has toilets, a café and village pubs. Downham also has toilets and places to eat. Check opening times and carry food and water for the hill.

Safety Information

Known Hazards

  • The Big End steps and clough descents are steep; stone surfaces can be slippery when wet.
  • The open summit and moorland are exposed to wind and rapidly changing weather. Carry navigation equipment for mist.
  • Moorland can be boggy, and Ogden Clough routes include stream crossings. Avoid crossings that are unsafe after rain.
  • Sheep graze the hill and approaches cross working farmland; keep dogs under close control.

General Safety Tips

  • Check weather conditions before setting out
  • Carry appropriate clothing and equipment
  • Let someone know your planned route
  • Take a map, compass, and GPS device
  • Carry emergency supplies: food, water, first aid kit, torch

Hills

Some common questions about the hills answered

Are there group walks up Pendle Hill?

Many walkers use Walkmates to join or organise walks with others. You can check for group walks around Pendle Hill through the maps

Are there other walkers around Pendle Hill?

Activity varies by location and time, but Walkmates lets you see whether others have shared walks or shown interest in this area. Find other people through the walking friends search walking friends for Pendle Hill search or of course create your own walk for Pendle Hill

Can I organise a walk to Pendle Hill?

Yes. If there aren’t any walks listed already, you can create a walk and make it available for others to join.

If you're signed up to Walkmates, you can create a walk to Pendle Hill.

How do I find a walk up this hill?

There are often multiple ways to walk this hill, depending on experience and route preference. Walkmates helps you explore walks and routes that others have shared.

Can I suggest a new route up Pendle Hill?

Yes. You can suggest or create routes to share with others. Walkmates focuses on the social side of walking, so routes are used to help people organise walks and explore areas together, rather than as detailed navigation tools or route libraries.

Other uses really appreciate knowledgeable walkers sharing their routes. Share your favourite route to Pendle Hill here

The is an error or something incorrect about this hill. How do I let you know?

We always strive to keep the information on Walkmates as accurate as possible. If you find an error, please let us know through the contact form and we'll aim to correct it as quickly as possible

Location

Pendle Hill location map

Grid reference: SD804414

View on OpenStreetMap

Opens a map in a new tab, centred on the hill.

Nearby Hills

Pen-y-ghent

Pen-y-ghent

694m

 Ingleborough

Ingleborough

723m

Winter Hill

456m

 Whernside

Whernside

737m

Buckden Pike

702m
See 5 more nearby hills