23rd February 2019 - Boulsworth Hill
Walk Details
Distance walked: 7.7 miles
Total ascent: 1485 ft
OS map used: OL21 - South Pennines
Time taken: 4.5 hrs
Route description: Wycoller-Bronte Way-Dean House Farm-Bronte Way-Great Saucer Stones-Boulsworth Hill-Bronte Way-Turnhole Clough-Bank House-Bronte Way-Wycoller
There's a fine weekend forecast. In fact it's more than just fine, there's record breaking winter warmth brought by sunny skies and winds coming from a long way south. The look and feel of the day suggested that it was late spring rather than late winter and it would have been easy to believe that it was if it wasn't for the bare trees and of course the sun still sets at the time that it should regardless of the weather. Although still a week away the weather next weekend is likely to be nowhere near as good as this one so I'm going to make the most of it and do a walk on both days. Today it's somewhere close to home, Boulsworth Hill from Wycoller.
From the car park above Wycoller I walked down into and through the hamlet and across the packhorse bridge. I then followed the trail of the Bronte Way by Wycoller Beck, up to and past Dean House Farm to where it joins the Pennine Bridleway. The trail was then followed west until I reached a quadbike track and then a line of grouse butts to follow up the hillside to Great Saucer Stones. From there I made my way to the trig point and summit of Boulsworth Hill. I left the summit by taking the path down past the Abbot Stone to reach the Pennine Bridleway, which I followed east towards Wycoller. When I reached the bridge over Turnhole Clough I took a path on the left that heads north across the hillside above Turnhole Clough and down to the ruins of Bank House. From here I followed a path west along the hillside and then down to Wycoller Beck, and after crossing the beck I had a short walk back to Wycoller.
Total ascent: 1485 ft
OS map used: OL21 - South Pennines
Time taken: 4.5 hrs
Route description: Wycoller-Bronte Way-Dean House Farm-Bronte Way-Great Saucer Stones-Boulsworth Hill-Bronte Way-Turnhole Clough-Bank House-Bronte Way-Wycoller
There's a fine weekend forecast. In fact it's more than just fine, there's record breaking winter warmth brought by sunny skies and winds coming from a long way south. The look and feel of the day suggested that it was late spring rather than late winter and it would have been easy to believe that it was if it wasn't for the bare trees and of course the sun still sets at the time that it should regardless of the weather. Although still a week away the weather next weekend is likely to be nowhere near as good as this one so I'm going to make the most of it and do a walk on both days. Today it's somewhere close to home, Boulsworth Hill from Wycoller.
From the car park above Wycoller I walked down into and through the hamlet and across the packhorse bridge. I then followed the trail of the Bronte Way by Wycoller Beck, up to and past Dean House Farm to where it joins the Pennine Bridleway. The trail was then followed west until I reached a quadbike track and then a line of grouse butts to follow up the hillside to Great Saucer Stones. From there I made my way to the trig point and summit of Boulsworth Hill. I left the summit by taking the path down past the Abbot Stone to reach the Pennine Bridleway, which I followed east towards Wycoller. When I reached the bridge over Turnhole Clough I took a path on the left that heads north across the hillside above Turnhole Clough and down to the ruins of Bank House. From here I followed a path west along the hillside and then down to Wycoller Beck, and after crossing the beck I had a short walk back to Wycoller.
Route map
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The ruins of Wycoller Hall from the ford across Wycoller Beck
and the packhorse bridge across Wycoller Beck
Great moorland colours from the Pennine Bridleway beneath Boulsworth Hill...
Heading west along the Pennine Bridleway
A hazy Pendle Hill comes into view as I climb Boulsworth Hill towards Great Saucer Stones
Looking across Wycoller Dean to Combe Hill
Pendle Hill from Great Saucer Stones
Wolf Stones and Crow Hill
Looking towards the summit of Boulsworth Hill
Heading for the Weather Stones and the summit
The Bronte Moors from the Weather Stones
A short time later and I arrive at the trig point on the summit of Boulsworth Hill
Pendle Hill in the distance from the trig point
Hazy views to the southeast to Hameldon Hill
and to Hoof Stones Height to the south
The moors around Calderdale beyond the nearby gritstone outcrops of Dove Stones
Looking east to the Bronte Moors
Back to the trig point for a few more photos of the view
Dove Stones to Hoof Stones Height
Pendle Hill, Colne and the Forest of Trawden
White Moor and Kelbrook Moor in the distance with the Forest of Trawden below as I reach the Abbot Stone on the way down
The Coldwell Reservoirs and Pendle Hill from the Abbot Stone
A pool in a boulder makes a good subject in the foreground for taking in the view
Making my way back down to the Pennine Bridleway
Heading east along the Pennine Bridleway back to Wycoller
It's a beautiful afternoon as I look across the countryside around Trawden to Pendle Hill
I'd noticed this flock of starlings as I was making my way down from the hill and it was a real pleasure to watch them take flight and go through several murmurations....
The Pennine Bridleway above Saucer Hill Clough
Great moorland colours..
..as the Pennine Bridleway heads down to Turnhole Clough
An outcrop of gritstone boulders is a good place to stop and take in the view across Wycoller Dean to the hillside of Foster's Leap
On the path down to the ruins of Bank House in Wycoller Dean..
Looking across Wycoller Dean to Foster's Leap
The ruins of Wycoller Hall as I arrive back in Wycoller