Upper Grane Valley and Hog Lowe Pike

Walter M Waide

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A lonely moorland walk starts and finishes at a Visitors' Centre where there is ample parking and a cafe. Whilst the last kilometre is in a busy tourist area, the rest can be walked without seeing another person, especially during the week or in poor weather.

The walk's highest point can be seen from various locations along the way, with splendid views down the Grane Valley to lighten the longest climb of the walk. Along Boardman Close the route levels off and whilst regaining your breath, you can enjoy the views towards Darwen Tower to the west. When turning more easterly towards Hog Lowe Pike, views towards the Dales begin to develop and once on the Pike, requiring only a minor climb from the moor, the views, especially to the north, are awesome. On a clear winter's day, the Three Peaks can be easily identified and the tops nearer to are nothing to be sniffed at either. To the south-east you can see the windmills of Scout Moor, see Walk 5254. The Pike itself however, is nothing to shout about and has little to offer other than a standard, concrete trig point at 383 metres.

The return to the start is down a delightful clough before the way emerges at Calf Hey Reservoir. Here the world and its brother take their constitutional – but only if it’s not raining!

England - North England - Lancashire - Pennines

Features

Birds, Butterflies, Cafe, Great Views, Hills or Fells, Lake/Loch, Moor, Public Transport, Toilets, Wildlife, Woodland

10/22/2016 - Louise Fletcher

Nice views and scenery but directions not detailed enough so at one point on top of the moor we were unsure where to go, luckily there we a couple of runners so we followed them! Not the most dog friendly route due to lots of livestock and stiles.

3/20/2015 - Mark Ziprin

Always a great walk, with good views. Yesterday was enjoyable in the late afternoon Spring sun. It was very wet and I returned rather dirty having slipped few times on the way down. I did this last year and disturbed two barn owls in the long grass on the way over to Hog Lowe Pike.

8/7/2013 - Robert Hughes

A really enjoyable walk with excellent all round views. This is a moorland walk and so, whilst today it was just damp rather than boggy, trainers would not be suitable for most of the year. The route was almost deserted today save a few dog walkers at the lower levels. Directions were good but be careful leaving Hog Lowe Pike - there are two distinct paths. The route follows the one nearest to the wall. Also at the start there are various paths but all eventually get to the Rossendale Way. I ended up a little further east than the ruined building but it caused no problem at all. Finally most of the 'metal stiles' have been replaced by 'kissing gates'.

9/15/2011 - alec jackson

I walk with my dog (jack russell/ yorkshire terrier cross) on the walks listed. This walk could be difficult with a larger dog because a lot of the stiles require you to lift the dog over. Lots of sheep and cattle along walk (15/9/2011).