Pendle Hill is one of Lancashire’s top walking spots, attracting adventurers from near and far. 🌄
Sitting in the eastern part of this charming county, the hill draws hikers with its tough climbs, stunning panoramic views, and mysterious history linked to witchcraft.
The hill also pulls in history lovers, supernatural fans, and even ghost hunters – including the Most Haunted TV crew, who explored Pendle Hill live back in 2004. 👻
Having grown up nearby, I spent countless days with my family wandering Pendle Hill and Barley, and I still love hiking these same trails today.
In this guide, I’ll cover everything you need to know about walking Pendle Hill – from its history and local spots to the best routes, difficulty level, distance, parking, and more!
corper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
Where is Pendle Hill?
Pendle Hill stands out as one of Lancashire’s most iconic landmarks. 🌟
It rises in the east of the county, within the borough of Pendle, nestled between Burnley, Nelson, Colne, Brierfield, Clitheroe, and Padiham.
How high is Pendle Hill?
Rising an impressive 557 metres (1,827 feet) above sea level, Pendle Hill commands the landscape for miles around, coming just 53 metres shy of being classed as a mountain. 🏔️
Legend has it that Pendle Hill’s striking presence even inspired J.R.R. Tolkien while he worked on The Lord of The Rings trilogy during his stay in the Ribble Valley. ✨
Where did Pendle Hill get its name?
Interestingly, the name Pendle Hill literally means “hill hill hill.” 😄
This comes from the Saxons adding “hill” to the original British name “Penno,” which means “steep hill,” forming “Pennehill.”
Over time, language evolved naturally, eventually turning it into the Pendle Hill we know today.
History of the Pendle Witches
The Pendle Witches trials of 1612 remain among the most famous and well-documented witch trials in English history. 🕯️
Twelve locals from the Pendle area were accused of causing the deaths of ten people through witchcraft.
Only one was acquitted, another died in prison before the trial, and the rest were found guilty and tragically sentenced to hang.
Some historians suggest these witchcraft accusations may have targeted locals simply practicing herbal medicine and traditional healing. 🌿
The dark folklore of the Pendle Witches has endured for centuries, appearing in books, TV shows, and even inspiring a Doctor Who episode.
Pendle Hill continues to draw paranormal enthusiasts, making it especially popular around Halloween! 🎃
In a fascinating twist, a 17th-century witch’s cottage was uncovered in 2011 during construction in Barley.
Hidden beneath a grassy mound, the cottage contained a cat’s bones bricked into the wall, believed to protect against evil spirits… spooky indeed!
Route Difficulty: Easy/Medium
Distance: 8 km (5 miles)
Route Elevation: 380m
Route Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
Start Point: Barley Picnic Site, Barley, Lancashire, BB12 9JX
Finish Point: Barley Picnic Site, Barley, Lancashire, BB12 9JX
Weather: Barley – BBC Weather
How long is the Pendle Hill walk?
How long it takes to hike Pendle Hill depends mostly on the route you pick. ⏱️
One of the most popular options – the walk from Barley – spans 5 miles (8 km) and usually takes around 2 hours 30 minutes round trip.
This is my go-to route whenever I head to Pendle.
Some even claim it’s one of the best short walks in the country, and honestly, I couldn’t agree more!
How difficult is the Pendle Hill walk?
The trail is well-marked, though it can get muddy depending on the weather, and usually takes about 30 minutes to reach Pendle Hill’s summit from the base. 🌿
Overall, the walk is fairly easy, except for the short, steep climb up the hill’s “steps.” Your legs will definitely feel the burn, but the panoramic views at the top make it all worthwhile.
Although the walk is mostly easy, the path can be uneven in spots, making it unsuitable for prams, wheelchairs, or anyone who struggles with balance. 🚶♀️
Where to park for the Pendle Hill walk?
I usually park either at the local carpark or along the laybys on Barley Lane. 🅿️
The carpark is inexpensive and sits right next to Barley Picnic Site – a perfect spot for families, complete with picnic tables, a playground, toilets, and a café on site.
The carpark is also right by the Pendle Inn and Barley Moor pubs – ideal for grabbing a bite and a pint after your hike! 🍻
The carpark’s postcode is BB12 9JX.
For another option, many hikers use the laybys on Barley Lane.
The general postcode for the laybys is BB9 6LG.
Pendle Hill walk – Step by step guide
Begin at Barley Picnic Site, head past the cabin, follow the path through the picnic area, and cross the bridge, where you’ll find yourself facing the Pendle Inn. 🌉
Take the road to your right until you reach the Methodist church, then turn left onto the signposted footpath. ⛪
Continue along the path, go through the gate, and stay on the trail as it takes you over a small bridge. 🌿
After crossing the bridge, turn left and follow the country road until you spot a signpost directing you to take a right. 🛤️
Follow the path until you reach an open field, then cross it toward the top-right corner and go through the gate. 🌾
Continue up the path until you reach another gate, marked with a sign pointing to “Ice Cream” and “Drinks.” 🍦
Go through the gate and turn right, cross the field, and join the footpath that leads to the base of Pendle Hill’s steps. 🥾
Start the steep climb up Pendle Hill… 🔥
Keep following the footpath up to the trig point and soak in the breathtaking views from the top. 🌄
Go past the trig point and follow the path until you see a signpost directing you to turn left back toward Barley. 🛤️
Turn left and start your descent down Pendle Hill. 🥾
When you reach the base of Pendle Hill, just follow the same path back to Barley. 🌿
Top Tips
Make sure to bring snacks and water, or grab refreshments at the Cabin next to Barley Picnic Site Carpark. 🥤
It’s a good idea to arrive early. On our last trip, we got there at 9:30am, and the carpark was already filling up. By the time we finished our walk, every spot was gone, with cars waiting eagerly for a space. 🚗
Comment (0)