Pendle Hill stands in splendid isolation, its highest point, Big End, towering over the small picturesque Lancashire village of Barley, 557 metres above sea level. From its summit there are spectacular 360 degree panoramic views of the beautiful Lancashire landscape and a myriad of routes to the top offer something for everyone, from the many starting points around it's perimeter.
We climbed Pendle Hill, from 'The Nic' very soon after relocating here: It is a popular well marked route with a clear path gently climbing all the way. We have also spent afternoons exploring the many criss-crossing paths climbing to join that path from the lower paths of Apronfull Hill.
There was, however, a steep path leading up from the north east corner of Churn Clough Reservoir, that I had noticed and wondered about, so with an afternoon to spare and gloriously unexpected warm October sunshine, I decided to explore - my only aim, to get to the top somehow.
I started my walk from the primary school at the bottom of Clitheroe Road in Sabden, following the path beside the road up to the parking point half way up the hill. From there I crossed the foothills of Apronfull Hill, passing over Calf Hill to reach Churn Clough Reservoir, where I followed the path until I reached a stile next to what looks like an old post box.
I crossed the stile and followed the right hand path which ascended steeply, immediately rising high above Churn Clough through thick ferns and fading heather, both looking very autumnal today.
Stopping frequently to look at the views (and catch my breath) I continued until the gradient decreased and the path eventually levelled out, following a wall running alongside Craggs Dole. From here the track was narrow and the ground boggy, and I had to pick my way along it carefully as I approached Spence Moor.
I joined a waymarked path, descending towards Sabden Fold, again picking my way through boggy moorland, using the reed tufts as stepping stones, until I reached a fork in the path. Taking the left fork, I crossed Cock Dole before descending a muddy path to Ogden Reservoir, realising that I could not avoid a second steep ascent, this time to Big End.
The first part of the ascent was a lung-busting climb through the fields of Ogden Hill and eventually reaching a wider path, ascending more gently until I finally reached the triangulation point to add a stone to the cairn, a good luck ritual on reaching any peak.
The route up had been longer, and harder in parts, than I had expected, and I realised that I only had a couple of hours until sunset. I began to descend , taking the more familiar route down the massive stone steps across Barley Moor and enjoying the uninterrupted expanse of moorland in front of me whilst trying to spot the Grouse whose calls followed me down to Ogden Clough. The path along the ravine is one of my favourite parts of Pendle Hill, and looked beautiful in the diminishing light, with sunlight and shadows dancing on the water and the sun beginning to set, turning the sky vanilla and peach above the crags.
Through the Clough the path continues, suspended between Mearley and Spence Moors before descending gradually back towards Apronfull Hill.
Before too long I reached the narrow track, discovered on one of our previous expeditions, following it down past the ravine of Badger Wells Water and back towards Calf Hill. From there, an easy walk took me back down to Heyhouses, just making it home as the sun was setting.
This was a 13k circular and not an easy version of 'Pendle Hill', with two long steep ascents and lots of boggy moorland to navigate. I discovered that the steep path from the reservoir is definitely not a shortcut to the main track, but if you have a few hours to spare and like the paths to yourself it is a great option. I didn't see a soul!
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