WHAT a smashing walk this turned out to be, only marred slightly by not being able to find a footpath, which although was clearly marked on the map, was not to be found - by me, anyway - and meant having to double back on myself and take a diversion.

However, the views from Pinhaw Beacon more than made up for it. From the top, on a clear day, it is possible to see Pendle Hill and a long line of Lakeland Peaks.

The route also takes in Standrise Plantation, a lovely old woodland, where there were a couple of buzzards flying overhead, and Elslack Reservoir.

For those who don't fancy the walk, but are keen to see the view from Pinhaw Beacon, there is a handy car park nearby and only a short walk to the beacon - it is certainly worth the trip.

Step by step

1. From the road leading out of Elslack, take the track, marked footpath, towards Wood House Farm. Follow the track, which bears to the left of the farm, and pass through a metal gate - no sign here, but just continue along track, which eventually comes to a gate. Don't go through the gate, but sharp left up the hill to a wooden footbridge and signposted Pennine Way.

2. Cross wooden footbridge and go left, onto Pennine Way, climb steadily uphill, keeping to wall on left. There are wooden duck boards and slabs along this part of the national trial, which can get rather boggy, even in the summer. Go over a ladder stile to meet the road leading up towards Pinhaw Beacon. Go right onto road and continue until you reach main road, cross over road and continue on Pennine Way directly opposite. At three hand sign, take left towards Pinhaw Beacon.

3. From Pinhaw, continue along Pennine Way, which now starts to drop down towards Lothersdale. After a short distance, take the access path off to the left - you can continue further along the Pennine Way to pick up a footpath close to Kirk Sykes Farm, but I couldn't find any evidence of it, so doubled back on myself to to access path, which appears to join up with the footpath, coming in from the right. Follow the path and bear left, down to the road.

4. Turn left and continue along the road for a short distance to Standrise Plantation on right.

5. Take signed footpath into plantation, follow the winding path downhill through the lovely, old woods, being careful not to fall down into any of the deep gullies. You will shortly come out onto a track, turn left here - following footpath signs. Continue along the track, passing another footpath sign off into woods on the left. Continue along until track goes off to the right, down towards Elslack Reservoir.

6. Take footpath straight ahead, and continue over a beck and into a field, cross over field and back to road where you started off.

Fact file

Start/finish: Elslack

Distance: About seven miles, allow three hours

Difficulty level: Easy to moderate

Terrain: Quiet roads, tracks and moorland – can be very boggy indeed

Livestock: Route passes through farmland and restricted moorland with nesting birds and shooting on certain days

Refreshments: Tempest Arms, Elslack

Parking: In Elslack or there is a layby just opposite the start of the footpath to Wood House Farm

OS Map: Landranger 103