Photo: Stemonitis, CC BY-SA 2.5
Walk 4 · from Trawden
Coldwell Reservoirs, Bedding Hill Moor and Wycoller
7.5 miles (12 km), ascent 1,076 ft (328 m), about 4 hours
A big moorland round with no summit to slog up. Follow the Pendle Way out of Trawden to the Coldwell reservoirs, which shine below Boulsworth's long flank, then pick up the Brontë Way across Deerstone and Will Moors. It's wide, quiet, big-sky country. The descent off Bedding Hill Moor brings you down to Dean House Farm and into Wycoller, where the packhorse bridge makes a perfect picnic pause before the last fields back to the cottage. Feeling energetic? The sister route adds the climb to Lad Law.
Highlights along the way
The two Coldwell reservoirs below Boulsworth, open moor on the Brontë Way, and Wycoller's bridges and hall on the way home.
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
Moorland and farmland with sheep. Lead rules as above. 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.
Safety and the Countryside Code
These are real Pennine walks. Paths cross working farmland and open moor, and the weather can change fast on the tops. Wear waterproof boots, carry a waterproof layer, water and a map (OS Explorer OL21 South Pennines covers Trawden, Wycoller and Boulsworth; OL41 covers Pendle Hill), and tell someone your route. Phone signal can be patchy. Please follow the Countryside Code:
- Leave gates as you find them, and keep to marked paths unless you're on open access land.
- Don't block gateways or lanes when you park.
- Take your litter home, and bag and bin your dog's poo.
- Dogs: keep them under control and in sight, and on a lead around livestock. On Open Access land (most of the moorland here) the law says dogs must be on a lead from 1 March to 31 July, and around livestock at any time of year. If cattle threaten you, let your dog off the lead so you can both get to safety.
- Moorland fires are devastating. Don't light fires or BBQs.
Book direct to avoid third-party booking fees
Wake up at the start of the walk
Boots in the vestibule, map on the table, the moor at the end of the lane. The total, including the £40 cleaning fee, shows straight away.
