The Dragon's Back (Chrome Hill) from Hollinsclough
Peak District Walk
Nat Park - Peak District - Dove Valley Chrome Hill
County/Area - Staffordshire & Derbyshire
Author - Daryl Smith
Length - 4.5 miles / 7.3 km Ascent - 1050 feet / 318 metres
Time - 3 hours 20 minutes Grade - moderate
Maps
Ordnance Survey Explorer OL24 | Sheet Map | 1:25k | BUY |
Anquet OS Explorer OL24 | Digital Map | 1:25k | BUY |
Ordnance Survey Landranger 119 | Sheet Map | 1:50k | BUY |
Anquet OS Landranger 119 | Digital Map | 1:50k | BUY |
Walk Route Description
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This may be a short Peak District walk but it packs in magnificent views and a traverse of the dramatic "Dragon's Back" of Chrome and Parkhouse Hills.
The tiny Staffordshire Moorlands hamlet of Hollinsclough has only limited parking space and there are no public facilities. The walk can easily be extended by parking in nearby Longnor, an attractive village with public toilets, cafes, small shop, art gallery and at least one good pub! Approaching Hollinsclough along the very quiet lane from Longnor affords inspiring views of hills to be climbed.
Leave Hollinsclough on the lane to the left of the chapel and then take the first path on the right at the side of a stone barn. Follow the path diagonally across the valley and turn left on a farm track. A public right-of-way follows this track along the flank of Hollins Hill all the way to Booth Farm. When Booth Farm comes into sight ahead you are in open access land; make your way up to the high point of Hollins Hill where you will be rewarded with a truly spectacular view of Chrome Hill.
Return to the track and continue past Booth Farm along the lane then over a stile and follow the path as it loops above Stoop Farm, at the farm entrance by a cattle grid leave the right-of-way onto a clearly signed concessionary path past Tor Rock then down to the north-eastern end of Chrome Hill. Traverse the ridges of Chrome and Parkhouse Hills with superb views of both limestone and gritstone country; the line of coral reef limestone forming the hills is clearly visible.
(Note: A direct ascent of Parkhouse Hill on its ridge line can be slippery and has a fair degree of exposure; in wet and windy conditions it may be best to walk up the grassy slope on the left as you approach, at the top of that slope go up to the ridge and then explore the pinnacles and views from that point.)
Descending from the ridge of Parkhouse, contour right below the trees and you will see a track ahead through the pillared entrance to Stannery, simply follow the track for an easy stroll back to Hollinsclough. If you have walked from Longnor you could head left from the hillside to a path over a footbridge and back to the village.
Other walks nearby
Walk 1861 | Chrome and Parkhouse Hills from Earl Sterndale | easy/mod | 5.0 miles |
Walk 1862 | Earl Sterndale and High Wheeldon from Longnor | easy/mod | 6.0 miles |
Walk 2723 | Pilsbury Castle, Hartington & Sheen from Longnor | easy/mod | 9.6 miles |
Walk 2272 | Flash Circular from Cistern Clough | moderate | 8.0 miles |
Walk 1043 | Chelmorton & the Monsal Trail | easy/mod | 8.1 miles |
Walk 3709 | Sparklow, Crowdicote & Pilsbury Circular | easy/mod | 9.0 miles |
Walk 1652 | Three Shires Head | easy | 4.5 miles |
Walk 2233 | Flash & Three Shires Head | easy/mod | 6.2 miles |
Walk 2577 | Hawk's Nest, Goldstitch Moss & Lud's Church | moderate | 8.0 miles |
Walk 1596 | Lud's Church and Roach End from Gradbach | easy/mod | 4.5 miles |
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