Boulsworth Hill ridge and Wycoller

For walkers who want the full Pennine experience without touching the car. Head out along the lane to Hollin Hall, then make a stiff climb past the extraordinary Abbot Stone to Lad Law's trig point. From there, follow the wild ridge east among weather-carved gritstone tors (the Saucer Stones, Weather Stones, Crow Hill) and drop to lonely Watersheddles Reservoir on the Yorkshire border. The Brontë Way then leads you down Wycoller Dean to the ruined hall and the ancient bridges, a good picnic spot before the field paths home. Ten glorious miles. Pack a proper lunch.

Highlights along the way

Slack Laithe and Meadow Bottom farms, Gilford Clough, the Pennine Bridleway, the Abbot Stone (a big upright gritstone slab), the Lad Law trig point (518 m) with a 360° panorama, then the Weather Stones and the Little and Great Saucer Stones. East over Crow Hill and down to Watersheddles Reservoir, onto the Brontë Way past Parson Lee Farm, then along Wycoller Beck into Wycoller, past the ruined hall and over the two-arch bridge. Back over the fields by Bracken Hill and Higher Stunstead.

From the cottage door

The walk starts by St Mary's church in Trawden village, within walking distance of Spring Cottage, so you can leave the car outside the cottage. Boots and wet coats go in the cottage vestibule when you get back.

Dogs on this walk

Several ladder stiles (at Watersheddles), so this suits fit dogs that can be lifted. Open moor with sheep, so the access-land lead rules apply. On open access moorland, dogs must be on a short lead from 1 March to 31 July, and near livestock at any time of year. See our dog-friendly guide to Trawden.

After the walk

The Trawden Arms and other pubs near Trawden and Colne are listed on our eating-out page. Read more about Wycoller, its bridges and the Jane Eyre ruins. There's no café in Wycoller now, so pack a picnic.