Weets Hill

Weets Hill, near Barnoldswick, (or “Barlick” to locals) is about as far east you can go in Lancashire without straying into that other place. It is sometimes referred to as “the Third Peak of Pendle” and although not as high as Pendle Hill or Boulsworth it is a superb viewpoint rewarding all the effort taken to reach it.

  Start: Letcliff Hill Country Park, off B6251 (Manchester Road) south of Barnoldswick.

 It may seem to those of you who choose to follow this walk that the biggest challenge will be to locate this park. Be warned - it is not very well signed and the signs it has are prone to being dislodged by bad weather. Moreover do not rely on local enquiry to help you out. This is not a well known amenity even in Barlick. From the end of M65 take first exit A6068 Vivary Way leading onto North Valley Road. After 1 ½ m turn left onto A65 Skipton Road. At Foulridge turn left onto B6251 to Barnoldswick. Continue to the outskirts of the town - almost 3 miles. If you are lucky you may spot a hand painted sign indicating the park is on your right.

 

Map by kind permission of the Blackpool Gazette

 

Summary: Distance: 8k 5m

                  Time: 2 - 3 hours

                  Terrain: Mainly farm tracks with some moorland footpaths. The ascent is gradual and not too strenuous.

                  Map: OS Explorer OS 21

 

Directions:  Car park to summit: Compared to the trouble of finding the park the route is relatively simple to follow. For this section you will be on the Pendle Way with its distinctive witch on a broomstick waymark sign. Return to Manchester Road and turn right, and then after 200m turn left down Gillian's Lane.

 

This leads past Bancroft Mill which is now a museum.

 Keep ahead turning left into Moorgate Road which leads on to Folly Lane, a farm track.

 

The ascent now begins. After 500m look for a stile on the right.

 

Cross this into pasture and continue the ascent, at first through fields, but as you gain height across moorland. A stone wall on your left will now provide a good guide nearly all the way to the top. After 1500m/1 mile from the lane the path will bear right to reach a trig. point 397m (or 1250 feet in old money).

On a clear day the views are outstanding. Especially of Pendle Hill.

 

 

Summit to car park. Begin a gentle descent bearing left so you regain the wall and follow this down to where it meets a lane end (Gisburn Old Road).

Still on the Pendle Way turn left and walk past Weets House. Keep on the lane for the next 1500/ mile.

 

 Just beyond Star Hall you will part company with the Pendle Way which bears off to the right. After Star Hall take the first footpath on the left. This crosses three fields to reach Lister Well Road, which is not a road at all, but a rough track.

On reaching it turn left to commence a long straight descent back to the B625 on a gradually improving surface. At the road turn left for the car park which on a clear day you would have spotted from some considerable distance away.

 

[If refreshment is needed on route a detour to the Moorcock Inn can be easily made by turning right onto a footpath 600m after Weets House.

This leads down to the A682 close by the pub.

To regain the main route without retracing your steps take the first farm lane past the pub, and pass farm on your left. The track beyond it leads back to Gisburn Old Road.

Turn left and the first footpath on your right will lead to Lister Well Road]

 

For readers wishing to explore this fascinating area of the county we can thoroughly recommend Jack Keighley's  excellent guide "Walks in Lancashire Witch Country" published by Cicerone Press.

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