Micklethorn Hill

The walk up Micklethorn Hill takes you out of Barnoldswick into proper Lancashire moorland, and on a clear day the views across the Pennines are genuinely worth the effort. It's not a massive undertaking - you're looking at roughly 45 minutes to the summit depending on fitness and how many times you stop to catch your breath on the steeper sections.

This is walker territory. The hill itself sits at around 1,300 feet and rewards you with sight lines that stretch across the Ribble Valley and beyond. Bring binoculars if you're into spotting landmarks. It's the kind of place where you'll see fell runners in training and serious hikers plotting their next peak, not families stopping for ice creams.

Getting there is straightforward enough from Barnoldswick - the footpath is well-trodden and reasonably marked, though a map or downloaded offline route helps in mist. Weather matters here. Turn up on a drizzly afternoon and the summit gets swallowed in cloud. Come back on a crisp morning and you'll understand why people bother at all.

If you're camping at any of the nearby sites - Thornton Hall, Deerstone Glamping, or Hedgerow - this makes an excellent half-day outing before breakfast or after an early tea. It's not an all-day commitment, which means you can fit it round other Peak District or Pennine walks without any faffing about. Free to do, obviously. Just pay attention to the weather forecast.