Pendle Hill , Lancashire

Pendle Hill is most famous for its' witches but it's also a good place to go birdwatching.

In the fields and lanes surrounding Pendle Hill you can see many of common moorland and hedgerow birds. Climbing the hill you may be rewarded with sightings of Buzzard , Kestrel , Sparrowhawk , Short-eared and Little Owls. At the summit it's likely to be Meadow Pipit , Skylark , Grouse and Partridge. In spring and autumn the hill is well known as a stopping off point for migrating Dotterels.

The path to the top takes a steep zigzag route to the summit.

Some sections are very steep.

But you are rewarded with fantastic views while you take a breather,

The final few yards are the steepest

Looking back you realise how high you have climbed

The rest of the way is a gentle slope to the Trig column that marks the highest point at 1827 feet above sea level. Walking from the road to the summit you climb about 700 feet.

Time to rest and take in some of the vista before looking to see what birds are around.

Paths lead off to the moors.

At the summit

You can return the way you came or take another route down

Looking across to the way you came up makes you realise how steep it is.

This drystone wall is being rebuilt.

Back at ground level :-)

What birds did I see ?  You'll have to read my next post.

My gallery here

Checkout the forums' Community HOMEPAGE for lots of interesting posts from other members.

  • gaynorsl said:
    People say its harder going down than up, what did you think?

    That was definitely the case when we did Edale a couple of years ago but this wasn't a hard descent.

    My gallery here

    Checkout the forums' Community HOMEPAGE for lots of interesting posts from other members.

  • I shall have to investigate about public transport and let you all know the details. Am I right thinking Sparrow lives near Clitheroe? Maybe she'll know...... Its a lovely part of England up those neck of the woods and those pics do it justice.

    Cheers, Jason

  • pendle.gov.uk/bus may be useful there Jason or transdev lancashire for service x43 the Witch Way although that may be a ride on a broomstick.As the photos show it is a great part of the world.

    Pete

    Birding is for everyone no matter how good or bad we are at it,enjoy it while you can

  • Indeed I do live in Clitheroe, right in the shadow of Pendle Hill ( a few feet short of being a mountain apparently). I can confirm there is a bus service to Barley and the start of the climb up the hill. The bus leaves from the Interchange next to the railway station and I believe the timetable is on line somewhere. It might be the 7, 7A or 7B.  The bus journey takes you through some beautiful countryside. Personally, I have never been to the top.

    Cheers, Linda.

    See my photos on Flickr