Local Life - St Helens - Nov/Dec 2021

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