Pendle Witches Way
A 46-mile long-distance path in Lancashire following the tragic journey made by the Pendle women accused of sorcery from their homes in Sabden to their trial and execution in Lancaster. With map, statistics, and GPX route file.
Statistics and Files
Grid Ref: SD 778 374
Distance: 46 miles (74 km)
Time: 18–23 hours
Duration: 3–4 days
Ordnance Survey Explorer Maps (1:25,000):
OL2 Yorkshire Dales – Southern and Western Area
OL21 South Pennines – Burnley, Hebden Bridge, Keighley and Todmorden
OL41 Forest of Bowland and Ribblesdale
287 West Pennine Moors, Blackburn, Darwen, Accrington and Bolton North
296 Lancaster, Morecambe and Fleetwood
Summary
The Pendle Witches Way is a 46-mile journey from Sabden in Lancashire through the Ribble Valley and the Forest of Bowland to Lancaster, tracing the route likely taken by the women from the Pendle area accused of witchcraft and subsequently executed in Lancaster.
The first part of the walk is centered on locations around Pendle Hill associated with the Pendle Witches, including Higham, Fence, Newchurch-in-Pendle, and Barley. The route then crosses the expanse of Pendle Hill, continues through Clitheroe, and crosses the Ribble Valley via Bashall Eaves, over Birkett Fell and Dunsop Bridge across the River Hodder, entering the Forest of Bowland Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Langden Brook is followed upstream to the heights of the Forest of Bowland, with the trig pillar on Hawthornthwaite Fell Top at 478 metres forming the highest point along the way. After crossing the Forest of Bowland, the route continues to the finish in Lancaster via Abbeystead, Hare Appletree, Langthwaite Reservoir, and Williamson Park.