Pendle Hill - where witches once roamed

We will be pleased to welcome you to join us on this visit to Pendle, famous for the crackdown in 1610 when ten locals were found guilty of murder by witchcraft and hanged at Lancaster prison. The witches may be long gone. but on a clear day the extensive views from the summit of Pendle Hill are still spellbinding.
We start from the car park in Downham Village which can be reached from the Skipton By Pass (take A59 Clitheroe Road and, about 4 miles after passing through Gisburn, take a right turn signposted Chatburn and Downham. After a mile you reach Chatburn village and just after the church turn left (signed Downham 1 mile). In Downham, pass the Assheton Arms and a few yards further turn right (opposite Downham Pre School) to reach the car park at the end of the road).
The walk starts by heading through field paths to Twiston Beck and up to the hamlet of Twiston. A narrow lane takes us to Smithy Fold, then into open country over Twiston Moor before passing farmsteads to reach the trig point on Stang Top Moor from where we descend tto the road near Barley. The main ascent of the day follows, as we pass the reservoirs in Ogden Clough before climbing out of the valley on to the southern flank of Pendle Hill to reach the highest point of the walk.
Although it only reaches the modest height of 559 metres (around 1,800 feet), its separation from any nearby tops makes it an exceptional viewpoint including the Bowland Fells, Three Peaks country, Upper Wharfedale and much more.
We keep the views for a while as we continue south west along the ridge and gradually descend to the road at the Nick of Pendle. A path then takes us down to Mearley Hall and fairly level going for the last two miles back to Downham.
This is a Leeds CHA 'A' walk and will be moderately strenuous, being around 14 miles long with about 2,200 feet of ascent. We will aim to start walking at 10.00am, and expect to finish around 5.00pm. Please allow time to change into boots etc.
There is no charge to attend the first three CHA walks, but to attend further walks we request that you join our club for an annual membership of only £6. This will give you access to an unlimited number of walks, social events, coach trips and weekends away, in line with our parent club Leeds CHA Rambling & Social Club. For further details follow the link on this website.