Photo: Stemonitis, CC BY-SA 2.5
Walk 2 · from Trawden
Lumb Spout and Boulsworth Hill
5.5 miles, ascent 1,337 ft (about 408 m), about 3.5 hours.
Boulsworth is the great moorland hill above Trawden, and this is the quickest way up it from the door. Start with a muddy little detour to Lumb Spout, a hidden waterfall that drew Victorian day-trippers, then climb the waterboard path onto the moor. Up top, gritstone tors called Little Chair Stones and Weather Stones make perfect picnic seats. From Lad Law, the highest point in the South Pennines, the view runs from Pendle Hill to the Yorkshire Three Peaks. Allow half a day and save your appetite for the Trawden Arms.
Highlights along the way
Lumb Spout waterfall (a short, muddy detour). Visit Pendle calls it Pendle's highest waterfall, and it was a popular spot with Victorian visitors. Little Chair Stones and Weather Stones on the summit plateau. Lad Law (517 m) is the highest point in the South Pennines. On a clear day you can see Pendle Hill, the Bowland moors, Ingleborough, Pen-y-ghent and Great Whernside.
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
Open moorland with sheep. The access-land lead rule applies (1 Mar to 31 Jul). 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. There's nothing on the hill, 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.
