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.