Pendle Hill Circular Dog Walk | Barley Mow, Barley | Lancashire
A proper dog day out
Reservoir paths, windswept moorland and a proper Lancashire summit before a pub meal in Barley. This is a rewarding circular walk for fit dogs and owners who don't mind a serious uphill stretch.
At a glance
- Where: Barley, near Nelson, Lancashire.
- Walk: Pendle Hill circular via the Ogden Reservoirs, approximately 5 miles (8 km) on the route linked below.
- Allow: roughly 2½ to 3½ hours on the walk, plus a pub stop; conditions and pace make a difference.
- Difficulty: Challenging. Expect a substantial climb, uneven moorland and a steep descent with steps.
- Start and finish: Barley village pay-and-display car park, BB12 9JX.
- Pub: The Barley Mow, Barley Village, Burnley, BB12 9JX.
The walk
Begin in the village of Barley and head towards the Ogden Reservoirs. The gentler waterside start gives way to grassy and sometimes rougher moorland as the path climbs towards Pendle Hill. The open summit is famous for its big views, while the descent towards Barley asks rather more of knees, paws and walking boots than the opening section.
Follow the mapped Pendle Hill circular walk from Walks in Lancashire. Their approximately 5-mile version includes route directions and key waypoints. The Barley Mow also recommends a similar circular, described on the pub's Explore Pendle page as 4.6 miles, so check which version of the route you are following.
What dog owners should know
- Sheep and wildlife: grazing sheep and ground-nesting birds are a real consideration. Keep dogs on leads around livestock and wildlife, and obey any posted access-land restrictions.
- Steep and uneven ground: there are rocky stretches, steps and eroded or muddy paths. This is not an ideal outing for dogs who struggle with hills, joints or long walks.
- Gates and stiles: the route includes kissing gates and a stone stile. Be prepared to help a dog through or over an obstacle if necessary.
- Weather: Pendle's exposed top can be cold or windy even when Barley feels mild. Carry water for your dog and appropriate clothing for yourself.
Back to the pub: The Barley Mow
The Barley Mow sits in the village beneath Pendle Hill and serves food for walkers returning from the moors. Its own website features positive customer comments about dogs being welcomed, but check the current dog policy and which tables allow dogs when booking.
Check The Barley Mow's official website, menus and contact details.
Before you set off
Check the weather on the hill, current access restrictions and the route map. Watch for sheep, keep your dog under close control and do not rely on this article as turn-by-turn navigation. This is a more demanding outing than its mileage alone suggests.
Explore more dog days out
Where: England · Lancashire
Find similar walks: Dog Pub Walks · Medium Walk · Challenging · Moorland · Reservoirs
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Guide sources reviewed: 27 October 2026. Walk description and distance: Walks in Lancashire (5-mile route) and The Barley Mow (similar 4.6-mile circular); dog and access considerations: Explore Bowland and local walking guidance. Pub information: The Barley Mow official website. Conditions and access can change.
Photograph: Footpath crossing the dam of Lower Ogden Reservoir by Peter Wood / Geograph Britain and Ireland, licensed under Creative Commons CC BY-SA 2.0. Reproduced from Wikimedia Commons.
