Trawden to Wycoller

Step out of the cottage, past the community-owned Trawden Arms and up the old tram tracks, and within the hour you'll be crossing pulpit stiles above the Wycoller valley with Pendle Hill on the skyline. Wycoller is a gem: a ruined hall said to be Charlotte Brontë's Ferndean Manor, a packhorse bridge built before 1550 and a clapper bridge polished by centuries of clogs. Take a picnic (there's no longer a café in Wycoller), then walk back the way you came or carry on past old golf links and herons to the Emmott Arms at Laneshaw Bridge.

Highlights along the way

Trawden Arms (built 1895 on the site of a 16th-century corn mill), Poetry Corner at the bottom of Rock Lane, the old tram tracks, St Mary's church (1846), Germany Farm, two sturdy pulpit stiles, views to Pendle Hill with Boulsworth behind. At Wycoller: the ruined hall said to be Ferndean Manor in Jane Eyre, the pre-1550 packhorse bridge "Sallie's Brig" and a clapper bridge worn by generations of clogs. Then past Lowlands Farm and the old St Andrew's golf course (closed 1948), where herons and deer are often seen, to Carriers Row.

From the cottage door

The walk starts at the community-owned Trawden Arms in the village centre, a few minutes on foot from Spring Cottage, so there's no driving and no parking to worry about. Boots and wet coats go in the cottage vestibule when you get back.

Dogs on this walk

Farmland and stiles, including pulpit stiles. Lead near livestock. 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.