Walk Description

Simon and I met up with fellow OFC members (Neil, Sara, Ed, Liz, Barrie, Dave, Josie, Richard and Peter) at 9.30 at Barley car park.  It didn't take long for us to get kitted out and assembled for a group photograph.  The sun was shining, the forecast was good, so we set off dressed for good weather.  We walked past the Water Filter Station at Barley Green and along the lane towards the Ogden Reservoirs.   The filter station used to be a steam cotton mill with over 200 working looms.  Unfortunately it was wrecked in terrible floods during the 1880s.  The mill was converted into a filter station when the Ogden Reservoirs were built - sometime between 1906 and 1914.

We followed the lane for about one and half miles and reached Lower Ogden Reservoir where we jostled for the best position to take our photographs.  We then continued up towards the Uper Odgen Reservoir.  As we walked we could hear and see what appeared to be the outflow from the reservoir.  However when we reached the dam, we found that the reservoir was virtually empty.

We followed the path to the start of the clough beyond the reservoir.  Here we had a discussion about the route we were going to take. Finally it was decided that we would take the high level path above Ogden Clough as far as we could and then follow the wall to Pendle Hill's  northern edge.  To begin with the path was easy to follow and soon we were walking high above the babbling beck.  When the main path turned and headed straight for the summit, we turned left and followed the slightly boggy and peaty path to the northern edge, where we tried our best to identify Ingleborough, Penyghent and the Bowland Hills through the haze.
After investigating the round shelter, we walked along the edge of the plateau.  When we reached the wall we decided to take advantage of the shelter and stop for our lunch.  Although the sun was out and the day felt warm, the wind was cold, so we were glad of even a little shelter.  It was now only a short stroll to the trig.  Once again the cameras were out as we all tried to get the best photo of the trig.  As we started on our way back to Barley we studied the landscape below and plotted the next stage of our walk.  As we descended we passed numerous families making their way up the main tourist path to the top of Pendle Hill.

After crossing the Barley to Downham road we made our way across the fields to Windy Harbour Farm, where we then headed to Lower Black Moss Reservoir.  From there we walked to Upper Black Moss Reservoir, past Salt Pie Farm and up to Stang Moor Top.  Here we had good views of Stansfield (Blacko) Tower.  Looking south we could see the hazy outline of Boulsworth Hill and Black Hameldon.  We then walked to Whitehough village and followed Pendle Water past Narrowgates Millback to Barley car park.  After changing our boots, we made our way to the Pendle Inn for our end of walk refreshments.
 

Route & Planning

Details and Route Map

Photo Opportunities

Walk Profile

 

The route map shown here should not be used as a replacement for the appropriate map(s). Before attempting the walk you should check the suitability of this route in relation to your capabilities and experience.