Pendle Hill and its surrounding “witch country” villages sit at the southern edge of our usual riding territory, around 15 miles from Dunsop Bridge, but they’re well worth the trip for the history alone – quite apart from being a genuinely scenic ride.
The Approach
Reaching the Pendle villages from Dunsop Bridge typically means riding via Clitheroe and Downham, giving you a good cross-section of Ribble Valley scenery before the distinctive whaleback shape of Pendle Hill comes into view. It’s a longer day – around 15 miles each way – so this is one best suited to a full-day e-bike hire or split across an overnight stay in the area.
Downham and Barley
Downham is frequently named one of the prettiest villages in England, with no overhead cables or road markings to spoil the traditional stone cottages – it’s been used as a filming location more than once as a result. Barley, on the opposite side of the hill, is the traditional starting point for walkers heading up Pendle itself, and has a good visitor centre and cafe if you fancy a break from the saddle.
The Pendle Witch Story
The area’s dark history – the trial and execution of the Pendle Witches in 1612 – still shapes how the villages present themselves, from pub names to local trails like the 51-mile Pendle Way. You don’t need to cover the whole trail to appreciate the atmosphere; even a short ride through Newchurch-in-Pendle, with its old cottages and witch-themed shop signs, gives a real sense of the history.
Riding Around the Hill
Rather than climbing Pendle Hill itself (a walkers’ route, not really practical by bike), most cyclists ride the quiet lanes that circle its base, taking in Barley, Newchurch and Sabden. It’s rolling rather than flat, with a few decent climbs where the e-bike’s assistance is genuinely welcome.
Planning Your Visit
Given the distance from Dunsop Bridge, this makes most sense as a full-day hire, or as a route to build into a longer stay in the area. Combine it with a stop in Clitheroe or Whalley on the way there or back to make the most of the ride.
View our full-day hire options or contact us to plan your Pendle Hill route.