LANCASHIRE / WALKING ROUTE
Pendle Hill Walk: Newchurch to Barley via Ogden Reservoirs
Climb Pendle Hill by the Ogden reservoirs and Boar Clough, then descend to Barley. A satisfying point-to-point walk with a clear finish for food, provided you arrange the return before setting out.
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At a glance
Why this walking route is worth doing
Photo: Dominic Nelson. Pendle Hill – view from Weets Hill – Feb 2025.jpg · CC BY-SA 4.0.
This is the Pendle Way’s Newchurch-to-Barley hill section, not the shorter up-and-down climb from Barley. The longer approach gives the day a progression: fields and woodland first, reservoirs next, then the exposed climb to Pendle’s Big End. The steep descent arrives in Barley, where the picnic-site area makes a useful finishing point.
The one decision to make before leaving home is transport. Leave a car at the finish and arrange a lift or booked taxi to Newchurch, or arrange collection at Barley. Do not rely on finding a taxi or a convenient rural bus after the walk. A second night nearby makes sense if you want to add Clitheroe or explore Bowland on another day.
Newchurch Pendle Way footpath → Fell Wood → Ogden reservoirs → Boar Clough → Pendle Hill summit area → steep stepped descent → Barley. This is a linear route. The download follows mapped Pendle Way paths; the village approach to the mapped start is separate. Carry the official route instructions and a current walking map.
Mapped and ready
See the real route before you set off
Open the interactive map before setting off and save an offline map for the walk.
Useful overnight bases
Barley, Lancashire, United Kingdom
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Barley
Barley, Lancashire, United Kingdom
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Step-by-step directions
Follow the route
Newchurch to the reservoirs
Join the signed Pendle Way from Newchurch and follow the field paths towards Fell Wood. Descend through the woodland towards the reservoirs, using the signed crossings and established tracks.
Route advice: The map pin marks the mapped footpath start, not a village car park.
Parking or booking: Use designated Barley parking if leaving a vehicle at the finish, then arrange the transfer to Newchurch before walking. Check the tariff and closing arrangements. The starting pin is not permission to park on a verge.
Climb beside Boar Clough
Continue beside Upper Ogden Reservoir into the valley, then take the Pendle Way climb by Boar Clough. Follow the established hill path towards the Big End of Pendle Hill.
Route advice: This section needs navigation in poor visibility. Turn back if the weather makes the summit inappropriate.
Parking or booking: Follow the current route signs and access notices.
Summit to Barley
From the summit area, follow the Pendle Way descent down the steep stepped path and continue on the signed farm paths towards Barley. Finish in the picnic-site and car-park area.
Route advice: Take the descent slowly. The supplied line is a walking route, not vehicle access.
Parking or booking: Follow the current route signs and access notices.
Before you go
Practical information
Sort the lift before putting your boots on
This approximately five-mile route is linear. It is not the shorter return climb from Barley. Arrange the Newchurch-to-Barley transport before walking, so finishing tired does not leave you searching for a last-minute lift.
The day builds from lower paths to the exposed hill, then descends on steep steps. Keep a layer handy for the summit and allow time for a careful descent. Barley is the finishing point; use the map to choose somewhere to eat or stay based on your actual onward journey.
Planning update: 5 October 2026. Official information: Pendle walking routes and local planning.
Use the route stages with the mapped paths and current signs. Field paths, stiles, woodland tracks, reservoir paths, open moorland and a steep stepped descent. Choose a clear day with enough daylight. The exposed summit can be windy, cold or cloud-covered even when the villages are mild. No attraction ticket is required for the hill walk. Parking, food and your transfer are separate costs.
For another day out, see Warpers Trail Walk: Lancashire’s Reservoirs, Tower and Weaver’s Country. For a different route, explore Healey Dell Circular Walk: Fairy Bridge & Waterfall, or return to more ideas for Lancashire.
Parking
Use designated Barley parking if leaving a vehicle at the finish, then arrange the transfer to Newchurch before walking. Check the tariff and closing arrangements. The starting pin is not permission to park on a verge.
Tickets and booking
No attraction ticket is required for the hill walk. Parking, food and your transfer are separate costs.
Seasonal considerations
Choose a clear day with enough daylight. The exposed summit can be windy, cold or cloud-covered even when the villages are mild.
Toilets and refreshments
Barley picnic site has visitor facilities and The Cabin café; check opening before relying on food. Carry everything needed for the hill section.
Terrain
Field paths, stiles, woodland tracks, reservoir paths, open moorland and a steep stepped descent.
Accessibility
Not suitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs. Walkers need to manage stiles, a sustained climb and steep uneven steps.
Facilities
Barley picnic site has visitor facilities and The Cabin café; check opening before relying on food. Carry everything needed for the hill section.
Dogs
Keep dogs on leads around livestock and under close control on the hill. Carry water and remove dog waste.
Public transport
This guide requires an arranged transfer between Barley and Newchurch. Check current services yourself if using public transport; no return bus is assumed.
Safety
Use a current walking map and suitable footwear. Carry waterproofs, warm clothing, food and water. Do not treat a downloaded line as a substitute for navigation or follow it through a closure.
Important cautions
This route has not been personally surveyed by Days Out Now. Follow current access notices and carry a suitable navigation map.
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Useful answers
Pendle Hill Walk: Newchurch to Barley via Ogden Reservoirs FAQs
Is this Pendle Hill route circular?
No. It starts near Newchurch and finishes in Barley. Arrange your lift, taxi or collection before setting out.
Can I drive to the summit pin?
No. The summit and route line are for walking. Use designated village parking and the signed public paths.
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