31st July 2022 - Boulsworth Hill
Walk Details
Distance walked: 8.9 miles
Total ascent: 1571 ft
OS map used: OL21 - South Pennines
Time taken: 4 hrs
Route description: Wycoller-Wycoller Hall-Pennine Bridleway-Pot Brinks Moor-Great Saucer Stones-Boulsworth Hill-Abbot Stone-Pennine Bridleway-Lumb Laithe Farm-Pennine Bridleway-Mean Moss Farm-Lodge Hill Farm-Wycoller Dean-Pennine Bridleway-Wycoller Hall-Wycoller
It would seem that the best weather I'm going to get this weekend is a fine afternoon. So, shortly after midday and with the cloud breaking up I made the short drive to Wycoller for a walk up Boulsworth Hill. My route was a very familiar one, ascending from and descending to the Pennine Bridleway that runs beneath the northern slopes of the hill. What was new was using the bridleway along the track that joins the Pennine Bridleway and the road up from Trawden that ends at Lodge Hill Farm. I think I'll be using that again. After setting off from Wycoller the weather continued to improve so that I enjoyed a fine summer's afternoon for taking in the great views from Boulsworth Hill.
From the car park above Wycoller I walked down into and through the hamlet and across the packhorse bridge, and took the Pennine Bridleway east along the track by Wycoller Beck and above Smithy Clough. I kept on the Pennine Bridleway when it turned right and made its way southwest to cross Turnhole Clough and run above Saucer Hill Clough until it descended and reached the track to Mean Moss Farm. Here I left it behind and took to the open moor, following a path up Pot Brinks Moor to Great Saucer Stones. After a stop to take in the view I made my way across the moor to the trig point on the top of Boulsworth Hill. I then made my way down by the path past the Abbot Stone and back to the Pennine Bridleway, which I followed east past Lumb Laithe Farm to reach the track to Mean Moss Farm. I took the bridleway along this track to the end of the road at Lodge Hill Farm, where I took a footpath on the right and followed it east across the moor to Wycoller Dean. I then took paths down to Wycoller Beck, which I crossed by the clapper bridge, and made my way back to Wycoller by the Pennine Bridleway, and from there back up the path to the car park.
Total ascent: 1571 ft
OS map used: OL21 - South Pennines
Time taken: 4 hrs
Route description: Wycoller-Wycoller Hall-Pennine Bridleway-Pot Brinks Moor-Great Saucer Stones-Boulsworth Hill-Abbot Stone-Pennine Bridleway-Lumb Laithe Farm-Pennine Bridleway-Mean Moss Farm-Lodge Hill Farm-Wycoller Dean-Pennine Bridleway-Wycoller Hall-Wycoller
It would seem that the best weather I'm going to get this weekend is a fine afternoon. So, shortly after midday and with the cloud breaking up I made the short drive to Wycoller for a walk up Boulsworth Hill. My route was a very familiar one, ascending from and descending to the Pennine Bridleway that runs beneath the northern slopes of the hill. What was new was using the bridleway along the track that joins the Pennine Bridleway and the road up from Trawden that ends at Lodge Hill Farm. I think I'll be using that again. After setting off from Wycoller the weather continued to improve so that I enjoyed a fine summer's afternoon for taking in the great views from Boulsworth Hill.
From the car park above Wycoller I walked down into and through the hamlet and across the packhorse bridge, and took the Pennine Bridleway east along the track by Wycoller Beck and above Smithy Clough. I kept on the Pennine Bridleway when it turned right and made its way southwest to cross Turnhole Clough and run above Saucer Hill Clough until it descended and reached the track to Mean Moss Farm. Here I left it behind and took to the open moor, following a path up Pot Brinks Moor to Great Saucer Stones. After a stop to take in the view I made my way across the moor to the trig point on the top of Boulsworth Hill. I then made my way down by the path past the Abbot Stone and back to the Pennine Bridleway, which I followed east past Lumb Laithe Farm to reach the track to Mean Moss Farm. I took the bridleway along this track to the end of the road at Lodge Hill Farm, where I took a footpath on the right and followed it east across the moor to Wycoller Dean. I then took paths down to Wycoller Beck, which I crossed by the clapper bridge, and made my way back to Wycoller by the Pennine Bridleway, and from there back up the path to the car park.
Route map
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The ruins of Wycoller Hall
The hillside of Fosters Leap above as I join the Pennine Bridleway
Following the Pennine Bridleway up Smithy Clough..
..and looking back to see Pendle Hill in the distance
Wycoller Dean from the Pennine Bridleway above Dean House Farm
On the Pennine Bridleway up Saucer Hill Clough..
A great view to my right looking across Fence Moor to Pendle Hill on the left and a distant Ingleborough on the right
The Pennine Bridleway is left behind for an ascent of Pot Brinks Moor to Great Saucer Stones
As I gain height the view behind me becomes increasingly expansive to the distant Yorkshire Dales..
My climb to Great Saucer Stones is rewarded with a great view to the north of Pendle Hill, the Forest of Trawden, and the Yorkshire Dales..
Looking east to Wolf Stones and Crow Hill
The summit is just ahead from Weather Stones
The view to the Yorkshire Dales isn't as clear as it was just thirty minutes ago. A breeze from the west has picked up, and it feels more humid.
Pendle Hill from the trig point on Boulsworth Hill
Extensive views from the trig point across to the Yorkshire Dales..
Crow Hill, Stanbury Moor and Withins Height to the east and southeast
Dove Stones and the moors around Calderdale to the south
Thieveley Pike and Hameldon Hill in the distance from Boulsworth Hill
The Coldwell Reservoirs and Pendle Hill from the Abbot Stone as I make my way down
and looking across the Forest of Trawden to the distant Yorkshire Dales..
Following the Pennine Bridleway east beneath Boulsworth Hill
I leave the Pennine Bridleway and take the bridleway to the top of the road at Lodge Hill Farm
Looking back to Boulsworth Hill
Looking north to Pendle Hill and Trawden as I take the footpath across the moors to Wycoller Dean
Boulsworth Hill to the south
Late afternoon sun on the moors
Looking back to the moors above Trawden and to Pendle Hill
The hillside of Foster's Leap ahead as I approach Wycoller Dean
Heading down into Wycoller Dean
I crossed Wycoller Beck via this bridge, a single slab of gritstone
Across the packhorse bridge and I'm back in Wycoller