Looking back across to the ‘Dragons Back’ ridgeline (Chrome Hill)

Today was forecast to be slightly cooler than the last few days with a cooling breeze so we decided to try out a hike that caught my eye when we first considered arranging a hiking holiday in the Peak District. It is colloquially called the ‘Dragons Back’ – all I can say is the pictures in my book Peak Bagging didn’t do it justice.

See opposite a link to our trail on Outdoor Active LINK to MAP

We parked up in a large layby just outside Earl Sterndale and could immediately see the stunning ridge we would be walking along, Parkhouse Hill (a triangular peak 375m) followed by Chrome Hill (a long spiny outcrop 443m) and then Hollins Hill (a long ridge 450m). We had thought to also hike up High Edge (462m) however, when we got to Hollins Hill the ridge leading down to Hollinsclough looked so enticing that we decided to change our plans with the added advantage of minimal walking along roads. All in all our walk was just under 12km and we climbed about 650m. More strenuous than the other walks we have done in the dales this week.

Key memories from today

  • It was nice to see so many other people out hiking, enjoying the mountains and perfect weather. Young old, mixed nationalities, friendly and happy to chat.
  • The hike itself over the 3 peaks and along 2 ridges was outstanding. What was really nice was being able to see the route we were going to take, and then to look back on what we had done from most of the trail. Very rewarding.
  • The climb up Parkhouse Hill was fine albeit a little steep. However, the decent was precipitous and very tricky on polished limestone and pea gravel.  We both agreed we would not take a group down it as there is too great a risk of someone slipping on the tricky descent. Instead we decided we would walk back down the way we ascended and then hike anticlockwise round the Hill. Found a good route on our return from Hollinsclough.
  • Chrome Hill was outstanding. An easy hike up, going in a clockwise direction and on the way down it was fun weaving our way round the spikes in the Dragons back. You could go over them as well, but we were preserving our energy!
  • We had our lunch in a hollow (Tumulus) at the top of Hollins Hill whilst we chatted about the best way down. Very glad we chose the ridge as it incorporated a café stop!
  • A very welcome pot of tea and home made carrot cake at Hollinsclough. I was getting a bit hot and had just wet my hat at a spring on the outskirts of the village. Then we came upon the café, with a lovely shady spot to sit outside. The owner was wearing a lovely Union Jack dress which was very tasteful and probably a mark of support for our football team tonight. We both felt very refreshed after our stop
  • I wouldn’t do the hike if it was wet as the polished limestone would be tricky and easy to slip on.
  • Need to take some secateurs as the way down did have a few slightly overgrown sections

The pub in Earl Sterndale is long gone, we had run out of water about half a km from the end of our walk and were both a bit thirsty and hot so we took a short detour to Longnor and stopped off at the Cheshire Cheese Inn, a nice local pub that I would be happy to visit again

A really beautiful walk and one we would like to share with others.