(S/E) Walk to the rear of the Spread Eagle car park opposite the pub, and in the far left-hand corner, behind the trees, climb a concealed stile into a field.
Cross the field behind Sawley Abbey, keeping well to the left of the abbey grounds. Go through a gap in a broken wall and cross the next field to a kissing gate into a farm track.
(1) Cross straight over through another gate and follow a tree-lined path alongside a small stream, which it shortly fords. Continue uphill to a kissing gate into a field. Cross the field to another kissing gate (next to a farm gate) which leads out to the A59.
Cross with care and join the farm drive opposite. The drive bends left but the path crosses a stile in the fence and continues straight ahead to a gateway, and then to a stile at the far side of the next field. Climb the stile and walk down the left-hand side of the field with views ahead of Pendle Hill.
In the far corner, climb another stile and cross the next field diagonally, still heading directly towards Pendle. A further stile leads to a steep valley side; bear left then right down to Swanside Bridge, before which is another stile.
(2) Beyond the bridge bear left and climb a stone step-stile in the wall. Climb the bank then turn right across the field to a footbridge over a side-stream. Follow the right-hand field edge uphill, above a wooded bank.
Cross a stile in a fence and continue along the top of the bank. By a tree in the field, turn right over a stile into the wood. Follow a narrow path down through the wood, which may be overgrown, and ford a small side-stream.
(3) Bear left with the main stream on your immediate right. Cross another stile and follow the narrow fenced path with the stream still on your right. Continue through pastureland, keeping between fence (left) and stream (right) wherever possible, erosion permitting.
(4) As you approach the A59, you go through a kissing gate and pass a farm bridge; ignore the underbridge below the main road, instead of going through another kissing gate go on the right and climbing a few steps up to the road.
Cross with care and turn right along the pavement, crossing the stream and passing a farm.
(5) After 550 metres, turn left at the turning for Sawley. Follow the road through the village for half a mile, passing the abbey ruins, to return to the Spread Eagle. (S/E)
