Earl Sterndale to Hollinsclough, via Chrome Hill and Hollins Hill

 Monday 25th September 2023, with Harry.  

A circular route of just over 6 miles, involving 1050 feet of ups and downs. Steep climbs at that and slightly slippery in places. Muddier underfoot than when we were last in the area.  The weather was fine, so we seized the day. It was pretty gusty on the tops.

We set off at 10.30 and took the path just after the Quiet Woman. 

The pub is being renovated, with plans for some holiday accommodation, and the path has been diverted slightly.

We followed the route behind houses and across the shoulder of Hitter Hill, heading northwest, then west, with good views of the Dragons Back

The path swings southwest to cross the road between Glutton Bridge and Glutton Dale. Glutton Farm is on the right. Today we didn’t climb Parkhouse Hill, but followed the lower level path.

 This goes more or less west, and turns right (north) along the minor road at the point where a bridleway/track heads west.

The footpath for Chrome Hill (1394 feet) goes off to the left, and we followed it directly up the hill, through a wooded section, then open grass and rocks.

 At one point we saw a kestrel hovering.  Lots of flowers still, harebells, hawksbit, yarrow, gorse…Views back to Parkhouse Hill are dramatic.

The wind was noticeable at the top but we found a sheltered grassy patch to indulge in a coffee.

The way down was slightly tricky in one or two places, mainly because of dampness underfoot.

We took the path through a gate and headed north alongside a wall, going quite steeply uphill. The path turns left and and goes gently downwards, curving west then south. We turned left after passing Booth Farm and the entrance to a track (labelled ‘No access to Booth Farm’. 

The path next to the drystone wall.

A short steep climb to the top of Hollins Hill, a tumulus, at 1480 feet, and a long gentle slope downhill, with a drystone wall on our right. 

Chrome Hill and Parkhouse Hill

This took us down to join a track to the footbridge over a brook and into the village of Hollinsclough.

 The cafe is not open on Mondays, but we sat on a bench nearby to eat our sandwiches. We’d done 4 miles by now, though it felt more. Definitely not my usual Northants terrain, nor yet the New Forest.

Along the road towards Longnor for a short distance. We passed some vociferous ducks in the brook, and saw lots of house martins flying around, feeding for the long flight south.

To return we decided to follow the bridleway/ track back to the track round the bottom of Parkhouse Hill, and retrace the footpath back to base. 

At the start of this track is Hollinsclough Honesty shop, where we bought some Staffordshire honey and a piece of cake each.

A surprisingly strenuous walk.

Another short trip up High Wheeldon

 Sunday 25th September

This time with Harry, and his friend Jack.

The same route as we did last Tuesday

Cycling - Earl Sterndale, Glutton Bridge, Hollinsclough, Longnor, Crowdicote

 Sunday 25th September

A short morning ride, before meeting Jack, a friend of Harry’s from Leeds days. Only about 6 miles, but with around 470 feet of climbing.

the ford

Harry suggested riding along the minor road down towards Glutton Bridge, then following a track towards Hollinsclough - mentioned as a possible walk by our neighbour, Margaret. The track was quite rough, but rideable. When we arrived at the ford Harry rode through, hit a stone and ended up with wet feet. I took my shoes and socks off and pushed the bike through. As i sat there drying my feet, a group of walkers we had passed earlier came by. They walked over the footbridge which we hadn’t spotted! 

The stone covered track, joined a small road into Hollinsclough, onward and upward to Longnor, down to Crowdecote, and up again to Earl Sterndale. About 6 miles in all, and only one short pause on the hill back to base.

The map trace begins at the ford! My bad.

Note for future ref:

To explore on foot - Washgate Lane/ Tenterhills - pack horse bridge on track from Booth Farm to Hollinsclough.

https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/369809

A short walk to Jericho

Saturday 24th September

After a brief excursion by car to Longnor cafe and Hartington to replenish supplies we returned back to base, and finished the day with a couple of one-mile walks to ‘Jericho’ a couple of houses and a farm just outside the village boundary, with great views of the dragon’s back.

Longnor

Hartington

Jericho and views of the hills

In search of a lost hat

 Saturday 24th September

Postscript to yesterday’s walk!

Another beautiful morning.  We set off at 9am in search of the hat. Retraced footsteps using walkmeter app.

Amazingly accurate, and lo and behold after about half a mile, Harry spotted it. It had obviously blown off as I crested the shoulder of the hill.

Rather pleased to recover this hat - bought in Chile (made in China) to replace a hat I had lost there!

The Dragon’s Back, Hollinsclough, and High Wheeldon

 Friday 23rd September 

Once again, the weather was set fair, so we set out to do our planned walk - a partial repeat of the one we did in March, with variations. 

Up the hill behind the cottage, through the yard of the Quiet Woman. Very quiet at the moment, as the pub has been closed since 2020.

We both separately went off track after the second fence, skirting Hitter Hill. I went to my left instead of turning rightish. We found ourselves and each other again on the way down towards the road near Glutton Bridge.

We crossed the road and picked up the path to the top of Parkhouse Hill.  Part way up, I noticed I no longer had my hat!  

A warning here - the real path skirts this deceptively small, but rugged, peak, and the descent directly over has been misguidedly created during the period of lockdown. It can be quite tricky, and I used both hands to help me over the rocky outcrops. We later heard of a couple of times the local mountain rescue was called out. So ok to go up, but maybe best to retrace your steps and go round the base. 

We found Chrome Hill less of a challenge, though just as spectacular.

From the photos it’s clear why the two hills are known as the Dragon’s Back.

We followed the path down Chrome Hill, through a gate, up a fairly steep grassy bank  Past Tor Rock , eventually joining a bridleway/ wide track near Stoop Farm,

 curving round close to Booth Farm, then continuing past Fough. We passed a few people walking this track. Eventually it turns into a smaller path over a footbridge,

crossing the river Dove, and leading into the small village of Hollinsclough, just in Staffordshire.

As it was Friday we had no hope of finding the Tea room open, but this time our luck was in.  The doors were open, the woman who runs it was there, baking, and there were two other customers. So we indulged in a coffee and cake! 

Along the long road to Longnor - a mile or so, very straight, then a left turn and uphill into the village.

Time for our picnic lunch on a bench - we had brought the boiled eggs this time.

From Longnor downhill along the road to Crowdecote, over the Dove into Derbyshire, and past the Pack Horse pub, where we booked a table for the evening.

There was a long walk uphill to join the track to High Wheeldon. Close to the summit we met the couple who had been in the tea room. 

From High Wheeldon it was a fairly gentle downhill stroll back to the cottage.

Just under 11 miles, with 2148 feet of ascent (645 meters).