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65<br />
Pendle Hill<br />
by Chris Pearce<br />
Distance: 3.9 miles Difficulty: Hard<br />
The Pendle area is well known for its connection to witchcraft<br />
and the supernatural, and the story of the Pendle witches is<br />
a prominent example how England viewed witchcraft back<br />
in the 17th century.<br />
However, Pendle Hill itself is the stage of a more uplifting<br />
story from the same period. The founder of the Quakers,<br />
George Fox, was so moved by his climb up Pendle Hill in 1652<br />
that he created the religion, and, in his autobiography, he<br />
wrote, ‘From the top of this hill the Lord let me see in what<br />
places he had a great people to be gathered’.<br />
Though we can’t guarantee you’ll have an epiphany like<br />
George’s, the views from the top of Pendle Hill on a clear<br />
day will provide you with stunning views of the North West<br />
coastline.<br />
At a shade under 4 miles long, this Jack’s Tracks starts from<br />
the main car park (BB12 9JX) in the pretty village of Barley.<br />
Exit the car park via the path behind the café/toilets and<br />
within a few yards you’ll be on the main road through<br />
Barley. Turn right along this road and you’ll pass the<br />
village’s two pubs, Pendle Inn on the left and the Barley<br />
Mow on the right.<br />
Look out for the Methodist church by a small bridge over<br />
the stream. You’ll need to turn left up the footpath that<br />
runs parallel to the stream. Follow the path for 300 yards<br />
and just past the oddly shaped tree (see picture), you’ll<br />
cross the stream again and arrive on a single-track road.<br />
Turn left and shortly after, you’ll reach a fork in the road, so<br />
take the right fork. Within seconds, you’ll see the entrance<br />
to the footpath on the right, so turn up this cobbled<br />
path. Follow this well-defined path for ¾ mile, uphill past<br />
Brown House Farm and Pendle House, and in clear view of<br />
the steep ascent awaiting you next.<br />
As you go through the gate to start to<br />
climb the hill, there is a curvier, longer<br />
(but less steep) route to the top<br />
on the left hand side, but we’ve<br />
gone for the steeper and<br />
shorter route taking you up<br />
the right hand side of the<br />
Big End, as Pendle<br />
Hill is known in<br />
these parts.