The Dragons Back: Chrome Hill, Parkhouse Hill, High Edge and Hollins Hill | 6 Miles
The Dragon’s Back walk from Hollinsclough is a 6 mile circular route in the Peak District that takes in four summits: Parkhouse Hill, Chrome Hill, Hollins Hill and High Edge – all Peak District Ethels. The walk follows the famous Dragon’s Back ridge, a dramatic jagged limestone ridgeline that resembles the spine of a sleeping dragon when viewed from the valley below.
The route involves steep ascents and some scrambling, particularly on Parkhouse Hill, making it best suited to walkers with some hill walking experience. Starting and finishing in the village of Hollinsclough, the walk offers some of the most spectacular scenery in the White Peak.
Dragons Back Peak District Walk Overview
- Facilities – Tea room at Hollinsclough Chapel Hall (open weekends and bank holidays), honesty shop en route
- Distance – 6 miles
- Difficulty – Moderate/Challenging
- Route type – Circular
- Start point – Hollinsclough village
- Terrain – Field paths, steep rocky ridgeline, some scrambling, open moorland and farm tracks
Route Highlights:
- The Dragon’s Back ridge – the rugged curves of Chrome Hill and Parkhouse Hill are said to resemble a sleeping dragon’s back, and walking the ridge between the two summits is one of the most dramatic stretches of walking in the Peak District
- Parkhouse Hill – the path over the summit is rocky and steep and requires caution and a good level of fitness, but the scramble to the top rewards with spectacular views and a real sense of achievement; a double sunset can sometimes be seen against Parkhouse Hill from nearby Glutton Grange
- Chrome Hill – at 425m, the higher of the two Dragon’s Back peaks, with sweeping views back along the ridge and across the Upper Dove Valley in all directions
- Hollins Hill and High Edge – two further Peak District Ethels on this route, taking the tally to four summits in a single walk; High Edge sits at 472m and Hollins Hill at 509m, offering quieter, less-visited moorland above the drama of the Dragon’s Back
- Ancient geology – Parkhouse Hill is the remains of an atoll, a reef knoll believed to have existed during the Carboniferous period when what is now the Peak District was covered by a tropical sea; if you’re lucky, you can still spot fossils in the limestone (I think we saw one), though as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) it’s an offence to remove anything from the site
- Peak District Ethels – this walk bags four Ethels in one outing: Parkhouse Hill, Chrome Hill, Hollins Hill and High Edge, not bad for a 6 mile walk!
Chrome Hill stands at 425m above sea level and is only around 500m from Parkhouse Hill, which stands 360m above sea level. We also hiked up High Edge (472m high) and Hollins Hill (509m), exploring the beautiful Staffordshire countryside.
Dragon’s Back Peak District Walk Route
Our walk started in Hollinsclough, where we found parking and a tea rooms selling lovely cakes, sandwiches and sausage rolls. They also have loos available. From the tea rooms we set off towards Parkhouse Hill, the first of our 4 peaks. You pass the base of Chrome Hill on the way to the start of the climb up Parkhouse Hill, as well as the honesty shop in a shed!
Parkhouse Hill is very steep and narrow. The path is a muddy track with limestone rocks, and after a period of rain gets very slippery. The climb is relatively straightforward though, with the path winding up the side of the hill. At the summit there is a rocky outcrop. The descent from Parkhouse Hill is even steeper than the climb up, so take care! It’s really slippery as well. We had to slide down part of it on our bums!
After you’ve reached the bottom of Parkhouse Hill you follow the track to the start of the climb up Chrome Hill. Just before the cattle grid, head over the stile and follow the faint path up the hill. Be sure to look back at the view as you climb because Parkhouse Hill looks amazing from this side!
Chrome Hill is a bit less steep than Parkhouse Hill. It was really windy when we did this walk, and walking along the ridge was a bit treacherous at times. At the top of Chrome Hill there is another rocky outcrop.
Going down Chrome Hill, you’ll pass a natural arch in the rock, and a little cave. The path is easy to follow but is steep and slippery in places. We met a couple of guys here who decided climbing Chrome Hill in the wind was a bit beyond them, it was so bad!
Pass through the gate and head over farmland towards High Edge. There is another steep slog up the field and then you’ll pass through some relatively level fields before crossing the cattle grid out onto the road to High Edge.
High Edge is the next peak, and is the site of two machine gun bunkers which formed part of RAF Harpur Hill. There are some amazing limestone formations here too, so well worth a visit. There are two hilltops here, with the lower one overlooking Buxton Speedway.
Head back to the road and down the track to Booth Farm. There’s a stile in the fence which will put you onto the route up Hollins Hill. After a relatively short climb you’ll reach the summit, which has a bowl top.
It’s a gentle ascent back down the hillside, which gives fantastic views of Chrome Hill and Parkhouse Hill. You’ll pass over a lovely little old stone bridge and then back down the lane to Hollinsclough.
There isn’t a pub in Hollinsclough unfortunately, so we jumped in the car and headed to the Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese Inn in Longnor. Longnor is a really pretty little Peak District village and one we’ll definitely come and explore again (not least because we need to bag some local trig points!).
We really enjoyed this Chrome Hill walk, and will definitely be doing it again!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Dragon’s Back walk suitable for beginners?
This walk is best suited to those with some hill walking experience. The climbs of both Chrome Hill and Parkhouse Hill are steep, and Parkhouse Hill in particular involves some scrambling and exposed sections. That said, the distances are manageable and the route is generally well-marked.
Is the Dragon’s Back walk dog friendly?
Dogs are welcome on this route but should be kept on a lead around livestock, particularly around the lower fields and farmland sections. The scrambling sections on Parkhouse Hill may also be tricky for some dogs.
Where do you park for the Dragon’s Back walk from Hollinsclough?
There is limited roadside parking in Hollinsclough, with a lay-by near the Chapel Hall. Arrive early, especially at weekends, as spaces fill quickly on fine days.
Are there any facilities on the walk?
Hollinsclough has a tea room at the Chapel Hall, open on weekends and bank holidays. There is also an honesty shop in a shed en route where you can pick up drinks and snacks. There are no public toilets near the start of the walk.
What is the Dragon’s Back Peak District walk?
The Dragon’s Back is the name given to the dramatic ridgeline that runs over Chrome Hill and Parkhouse Hill. When viewed from the valley, the jagged limestone ridge resembles the spine of a sleeping dragon, giving the walk its distinctive nickname.
What are the Peak District Ethels?
The Ethels are a list of 95 prominent hills in the Peak District, named in honour of Ethel Haythornthwaite, who was instrumental in establishing the Peak District as Britain’s first national park in 1951. This walk bags four Ethels in one outing, making it a great option for those working through the list.
Route Map:
Route Map (Opens in OS Maps): Dragons Back Walk Route
Parking: Head to Hollinsclough SK17 0RH W3W:///sympathy.hiked.sandpaper
Facilities: In Hollinsclough there is a tea rooms at the Chapel Hall (open Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holidays) with toilets. There is also an honesty shop in a shed en-route.
Walk Time: 2-3 hours
Dogs: Allowed, must be on leads around livestock though.
Difficulty: ▲▲▲
Trig Points Bagged: None
Peak District Peaks Bagged: Chrome Hill, Parkhouse Hill and Hollins Hill
Peak District Ethels Bagged: Chrome Hill, Parkhouse Hill, Hollins Hill and High Edge
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We stumbled across your site when looking for multi-Ethel hikes, and chose this as our first one: close to our base in Buxton, bags a few peaks, and a manageable distance for our kids (8 and 10). Thanks for sharing – it was a great hike!