STARTING POINT Barley picnic site GR 823407 (Landranger 103)
· As a driving time estimate, it took me just under an hour to drive to Barley from Warrington. Exit J8 on M.65, and follow A6068 passing through Higham and Fence on the way
· There is ample parking at Barley, and the parking fee for any duration (honesty box) is £1. There is a Cabin Café which serves food and drinks as well as public toilets.
· Please aim to be ready to start the walks by 10.30am on Sat 2nd July
OPTION 1: DISTANCE 2 to 3 miles (including walk to/from the car park)
· The Pendle Sculpture Trail is about 1 mile from Barley picnic site. Pick up a special leaflet from the Cabin Café, and learn all about the Pendle Witches as you admire the sculptures and ceramic plaques created by local artists in Aitken Wood
OPTIONS 2 & 3: DISTANCE about 4 or 5.5 miles
· Circular walks from Barley starting with a steep climb up Pendle Hill (557m or 1830 ft)
ROUTE for Options 2 & 3
· From the Barley picnic site, walk north alongside the stream and along the main road for about 300 metres then cross and follow the footpath sign for Pendle Hill adjacent to another stream on your right. Continue to follow the path towards Pendle Hill which is well marked.
· The path up Pendle Hill is quite steep and a large part of it consists of hard path or steps. There is about 1000ft of uphill walking to cover but most of this is achieved in the first hour of the day when you are fresh leaving the remainder of the walk as a gentle stroll (in theory!).
· At the top of the steep section, you reach a wall. Turn left and walk the last few hundred metres to the summit Trig point and hopefully brilliant views over Lancashire and Yorkshire.
· We should all get to the top by about midday, and I suggest stopping at the top for a picnic lunch if the weather permits
· After lunch, take the left hand path almost due South and marked by several very large cairns, and follow this as it descends for about a mile to reach a stile near Buttock (yes !) GR 807402. This is a good alternative spot for lunch if the weather is bad and overlooks Lower Ogden Reservoir to the East
· Descend to the base of the upper Ogden reservoir, and turn left to follow the track/road in a NE direction ignoring the first stile you pass on the right.
· For OPTION 2, continue along this track passing lower Ogden Reservoir into Barley
· For OPTION 3, take the path on the right marked as the Pendle Way (witch on a broomstick !) and cross the stream separating the upper and lower reservoirs. Note the millennium stone for the Pendle Witches.
· Proceed up the hill on the well-marked trail through Fell Wood and at the edge of the wood turn right to continue on the Pendle Way
· At the top of the hill, turn left still following the Pendle Way, and follow the path through fields to Newchurch in Pendle
· To the left in the village you will see the Witches Galore shop, complete with witch sitting outside to invite photos; handy for drinks, ice cream or souvenirs
· Follow the road opposite the shop Eastwards, and down the hill for about 100metres and take the footpath contouring across a field and over a stile into a small wood. Keep to the left land path to maintain height and continue the path beyond the wood and over several stiles walking in a north Easterly direction.
· Cross a larger footpath as you lose height, then cross the Barley/Barrowford Road (take care to look for traffic when crossing), and cross the river at White Hough
· Turn left and follow the path west for about half a mile passing a converted mill and cottages to return to the car park at Barley
Please let us know if you wish to join the walk and I look forward to seeing you on 2nd July. (spreadbury [at] supanet.com , 01925 711228 or 07738 881987)
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