20th January 2015 - Pendle Hill
Walk Details
Distance walked: 6.4 miles
Total ascent: 1503 ft
OS map used: OL21 - South Pennines
Time taken: 4.5 hrs
Route description: Downham-Clay House-Pendle Road-Downham Moor-Pendle Hill-Scout Cairn-Worston Moor-West Lane-Downham
After the great walk I had up Ingleborough yesterday I was glad that the forecast deterioration in the weather was going to arrive later than originally thought. It meant that I could have another walk in the snow. In the end I decided on Pendle Hill and instead of starting from Barley as my last two ascents have I went to Downham. It's a quieter route plus there are great views across the Ribble valley to enjoy. I also had to consider that the roads into Barley might be a bit icy. There was more sunshine around than yesterday though much of it was hazy. I was glad that I did Ingleborough yesterday, the clearer air made for better photos.
After parking in Downham I set off by walking up a narrow lane with cottages on both sides just off the Pendle Road. When I reached its end I took the footpath that heads across the fields past Clay House to emerge on the Pendle Road below Hookcliffe Plantation. I crossed the road and made my way uphill on the path across Downham Moor and then over the ladder stile to reach the trig point and summit. I retraced my steps from the trig point back to the wall and stile to take the path across the top of Downham Moor to the Scout Cairn. My route back was the path down Worston Moor and Burst Clough to West Lane and I then followed this quiet road to Downham.
Total ascent: 1503 ft
OS map used: OL21 - South Pennines
Time taken: 4.5 hrs
Route description: Downham-Clay House-Pendle Road-Downham Moor-Pendle Hill-Scout Cairn-Worston Moor-West Lane-Downham
After the great walk I had up Ingleborough yesterday I was glad that the forecast deterioration in the weather was going to arrive later than originally thought. It meant that I could have another walk in the snow. In the end I decided on Pendle Hill and instead of starting from Barley as my last two ascents have I went to Downham. It's a quieter route plus there are great views across the Ribble valley to enjoy. I also had to consider that the roads into Barley might be a bit icy. There was more sunshine around than yesterday though much of it was hazy. I was glad that I did Ingleborough yesterday, the clearer air made for better photos.
After parking in Downham I set off by walking up a narrow lane with cottages on both sides just off the Pendle Road. When I reached its end I took the footpath that heads across the fields past Clay House to emerge on the Pendle Road below Hookcliffe Plantation. I crossed the road and made my way uphill on the path across Downham Moor and then over the ladder stile to reach the trig point and summit. I retraced my steps from the trig point back to the wall and stile to take the path across the top of Downham Moor to the Scout Cairn. My route back was the path down Worston Moor and Burst Clough to West Lane and I then followed this quiet road to Downham.
Route map
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Leaving Downham behind
A snowy Pendle Hill awaits
It doesn't take long to reach snow covered fields
I've crossed the Pendle Road to start the climb..
..up the steep zig-zag path. I had my microspikes with me, so I decided to put them on to be on the safe side.
Views open up across a snow covered landscape
Over the stile and I'll join the path up from Barley to head for the summit. My camera doesn't seem to have picked it up very well but there was a clear sun dog in the sky above it.
The trig point is in sight
On the summit of Pendle Hill. It's bitterly cold with the brisk breeze that's blowing.
The view from Pendle Hill. There's a bit of haze limiting the visibility depending on which way I look. The fells of the Forest of Bowland in the distance.
Looking towards the Ribble valley. There's no snow down there, it's too low lying. That cairn marks the route up from Ogden Clough.
Scout Moor above Rossendale and the West Pennine Moors in the distance
Out to the east the South Pennine hills of Weets Hill, Pinhaw Beacon and Wolf Stones plus the two Black Moss Reservoirs
The village of Barley below surrounded by snow covered fields
Heading back to the ladder stile for the return to Downham
Thank goodness I carry a mat with me. At least I was out of the wind while I had my lunch behind this wall.
I really enjoyed striding out on this path across the top of Downham Moor
There's a better view of the West Pennine Moors than from the summit
As I approach this stile I can start to see a real contrast in the landscape
Clitheroe and the green fields of the Ribble valley with the snow covered fells of the Forest of Bowland beyond
The Scout Cairn. It's my cue to head downhill.
The path traverses the steep slope and then heads down to the valley floor
The visibility has been improving during the second half of the walk and I can now make out Ingleborough and Penyghent in the distance
The snowy slopes of Pendle Hill from West Lane
Back in Downham