A slightly misleading title; the route from Sabden to Whalley is indeed westwards, but this route does a bit of meandering before eventually heading west.
We couldn't quite decide where to walk to today, that was the problem. So we set off from the door, heading uphill on the public footpath that leads up past Badger Wells Cottages to Calf Hill.
On reaching the signpost, we continued up the steep narrow path, plodding upwards across Chartist's Well until we reached the main path ascending Pendle Hill from the 'Nic'.
Still undecided, we turned right in the general direction of Ogden Clough and the Big End. However, several hundred metres further on, and after passing several dogwalkers and families - maybe not surprising on a dry Sunday in April, we came across a split in the path. Should we continue up to the top of Pendle Hill, with its glorious views and the promise of refreshment in Barley, or should we follow the path less travelled, over to Mearley Moor? We chose the latter, opting for solitude and open space, and followed the track over boggy moorland until we reached a crease in the hillside. Here, the beginnings of Howcroft Brook emerges bubbling from the peaty earth to begin its journey downhill.
We forded the brook and made our way up to the cairn atop Mearley Moor, pausing for breath and to admire the panoramic views across East Lancashire.
With a choice of footpaths, we followed the one to our left - nearest the creek.
Almost immediately, the path descended steeply, plummeting into the valley, and running close to the stream, which tumbled prettily over the craggy contours of the bedrock, snaking hurriedly around boulders and hillocks, downhill and out of sight.
Without us noticing, the breeze had stilled and the air seemed warmer; the only sounds to be heard, beyond our footsteps, were birdsong, the bleating of lambs and the sound of the babbling brook.
The path wound peacefully down to the lower fells and we were nestled into a peaceful world where there was no chatter and no engine noise; the absence of extraneous sound placing us in a bubble - at one with nature and alone with our unbusy minds, free to think, imagine and wonder at the majesty of the landscape.
Entering Ashendean Clough, the path continued ahead, sometimes clear but at other times disappearing into the bracken. We followed the route that the water was taking; criss-crossing the stream several times - making use of stepping stones; admiring the vibrant yellow flowers of the gorse lining the banks; delighting in the display of wild garlic, the pretty white blooms nestling in their luxurious, green leafy blanket.
Crossing the stream one last time, we scrambled up the hill to pass through a broken gate and followed the path down to Howcroft Barn. Across a wooden bridge, the trail wound down to Mearley Hall, skirting a ruined barn as we transitioned from moor to meadow.
Once on the farm track, we walked the short distance to Pendleton Hall, before crossing Clitheroe Road and heading into Pendleton, a cacophony of birdsong serenading us into the village; blackbirds, house sparrows, finches and tits, a nuthatch and even a couple of early swallows.
After a quick drink at The Swan with Two Necks (if it had been warmer we'd have had a couple and enjoyed its lovely location), we continued along Pendleton Road to the quaint hamlet of Wiswell; this is a quiet route with lovely views across the Ribble Valley to the Fells of Bowland. Once through Wiswell, we crossed the main road, walking through the outskirts of Whalley into the village, where there were plenty of options for refreshment.
The main local bus routes pass through Whalley as well, so after only a few minutes wait, we were on the bus back to Sabden where we enjoyed the last of the (very weak) spring sunshine with a glass of wine in the summer house.
This was a great walk. The tranquil route down from Mearley Moor felt like a real find; the pretty brook sheltered between the steep rise of the hills on either side, the gorse at its April best and today it had the added advantage of being devoid of other walkers - always a bonus!
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