Start: Spring Wood Picnic Area, Whalley. From M6 junction 31 take the A59 towards Clitheroe. Keep on it until you reach the roundabout for the A671 Accrington Road. Here turn right. The picnic site is on the left at the next set of traffic lights.

 

Summary: Distance: 10k
         Time: 2 1/2 - 3 hours
         Terrain: Moderate. A steep ascent towards Wiswell to begin with and a more gentle ascent from Sabden towards Read Heights. Quiet lanes and pastures.                                    Map: OS Explorer 287  West Pennine Moors

 

Directions: Car park to Sabden.4.5k 2.5m 1h 1/4. Take the concessionary footpath to the right of the entrance to the car park and follow the path along the edge of the golf course.

 

In a little over 200m cross a footbridge on the left.

 

The path beyond soon begins to climb through pasture. Beyond a prominent oak tree the path reaches a stile.

 

Cross it and then another to pass by a handsome property on your right. The path leads to a metal gate between two imposing stone posts. Squeeze through to reach the drive beyond.

 

Turn left. When you arrive at the lane turn left. On a gentler uphill gradient keep on the lane past Wiswell Moor Farm and continue on the bridleway past Wiswell Moor Houses. Above on Wiswell Moor itself a radio mast becomes a handy reference point not only on this leg, but later in the walk as well. In front Pendle Hill looms though not as easily identifiable from this approach.

 

Past the houses and through a gate, without any indication, the footpath you need is on the right as it begins its descent towards Sabden. A telegraph pole acts as a helpful pointer.

 

Cross a large pasture to a stile in a fence. The path dips down to cross a brook and then continues alongside a fence,(the other side of which is an extensive and recent plantation).

 

After a kissing gate the path continues to reach Higher Whins. After this follow a drive as it bends to the right. On the bend on your left look for a stone step stile.

 

The footpath beyond it will quickly bring you to the edge of Sabden.

 

Sabden to car park. 5.5k 3.5m 1h 1/2 On arriving at Clitheroe Road turn right and walk down to the village. Pass the White Hart Inn and after crossing Sabden Brook turn right onto a bridleway that weaves through houses.

 

Soon at Pendleside Close, with an impressive bowling green to your right, turn left. At the end of the street join a bridleway which bends to the right.

 

As the last house of Sabden is past the footpath commences a long gradual ascent up towards Read Heights.

 

After Hillside Farm and above Cobden Farm the path crosses pasture to run alongside Robinson's Wood. At a farm drive turn left to reach Back Lane.

 

Turn right. Walk along the lane with a plantation on your right. At the end of the plantation turn right onto a footpath.

 

Cross the field to the next stile, then turn left. The next part of the route needs careful concentration. You need to pass through a horse riding centre to gain the path leading to Lower Read Wood Farm. The path follows the wall for  almost 200m and then bears right downhill. On your right a plantation. At its corner cross a stile, with a large ash tree next to it.

 

Bear slightly right but roughly parallel to a riding paddock. When you reach a sunken track turn left uphill towards the centre. On your right a dense hedge of conifers.

 

As you reach the main complex turn right so in effect you are on the other side of the conifers, now on a firm track.

 

This soon swings left skirting the main complex. Follow the track as it leads downhill. When it reaches a stream do not cross but turn left through a gate and the bear diagonally right slightly uphill.

 

After a stile keep ahead through pasture on a very indistinct path until Lower Read Wood comes into sight. Pass with the house on your right until you reach the drive.

 

This will bring you out onto Old Roman Road. Okay you can stop concentrating now. Turn right and after Read Old Bridge turn left onto a farm drive.

 

After 100m turn right onto a footpath that crosses undulating pastureland and will bring you close to a lane junction.

Your way is ahead and downhill back to the A671 with the golf course on your right.