Chrome Hill walk is a short but steep route in Staffordshire in the Peak District, but one with many rewards.
On this walk, you’ll see this iconic limestone hill from different views as you begin the walking with the hill on your right. Then, further along, you approach the hill from the north, before finally walking across the top and down the other side.
The two hills, Chrome and Parkhouse are also commonly known as the ‘Dragon’s Back’, you’ll see what I mean when I do this short walk!
From the summit, you will have views of the narrow River Dove twisting through the beautiful Upper Dove Valley of the Peak District.
Here you will find all the walk details of this 4-mile route, including how to get to the start of the walk, information about the route and facilities on the walk, plus a detailed step by step guide of the walk.
There are also options included at the bottom if you want to extend the walk.
I would always recommend that you take a paper map with you on the walk, details below on which map you need for this walk.
Let me know in the comments if you’ve done this walk and what you think!
Chrome Hill walk from Hollinsclough
Walk information
Walk type: Short circular walk
Distance: 4 miles/7 km
Walk time: 2-2.5 hours
Total ascent: 423 m/1,387 ft
Highest point: 425 m/1,394 ft
Walk highlights: Walking along the ridge of Chrome Hill, reaching the top with views to Parkhouse Hill
Chrome Hill walk map
Walk start point
Start grid reference: SK 064 665
Address: Hollisclough Village, Hollinsclough Rake Buxton, SK17 0RQ
Please note this is not a car park, this is a small village so please be aware of residents. There are a few car spaces opposite the Methodist Church and also further up the road in the village near the red phone box.
Parking Cost
Free parking
Public transport
Nearest train station: Buxton train station (7 mile/12 km)
Unfortunately, as this is a small village, there are no suitable public transport options for this walk. From the train station, a taxi or walking would be the only options, as there is no bus service.
Facilities on the walk
There are no public toilets available at the start of the walk at Hollinsclough or at any point on the walk.
The nearest toilets are at Longnor (about 2 miles down the road). At Longnor, there is a small car park and public toilets available.
Alternatively, in the village of Earl Sterndale, (10 minutes drive), there’s a pub called The Quiet Woman where you can stop for refreshments and facilities after your walk.
Other useful information
Chrome Hill is a popular spot for photographers, however, most of them will be there to capture sunrise photos.
The footpaths are a mix of tracks, roads and muddy fields, it’s worth wearing good hiking footwear for the walk.
I would always recommend you take a map and compass (see below).
Check the weather for your walk location and hills.
- BBC Weather for Hollinsclough
- Met Office weather for the Peak District
- Met Office weather for Harpur Hill (nearest summit to Chrome Hill)
Ordnance Survey Walk Map
The map required for this walk is OL24 – Peak District (White Peak Area)
Buy a paper map at outdoor shops or shop online at Amazon or Ordnance Survey
Check prices here with Ordnance Survey, you can buy a standard map or a waterproof one. You can sometimes find cheaper deals on Amazon, but the Ordnance Survey website sometimes has discounts for buying more than one map!
And don’t forget your compass.
There are lots to choose from, I recommend the Silva Expedition compass, it’s more expensive but a valuable piece of kit!
For online maps, you can get via OS Online App or Viewranger App.
Check here for one month or yearly options with OS Online App. For one month, the prices start from £2.99 a month or the annual option is from £23.99.
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Chrome Hill walk route
Stage 1 – Hollinsclough to Tenterhill
Distance: 1 miles/1.5 km
Grid reference SK 064 665
From Hollinsclough Village, facing the Methodist Church, turn left up Hollinsclough Rake road for a few hundred metres, as the road gradually goes uphill.
Look for a small wooden gate on your left and go through here and continue walking, with the road now on your left further above you.
Follow the path, along the same level for just over 1 km. If you look to your right then you’ll have a fantastic view of Chrome Hill.
Then you reach a dry stone wall that brings you out onto a track. To your left, you’ll see a small bridge. Don’t cross it but instead, turn right and follow the track as it slowly goes uphill.
The photo below shows the bridge from the other side (you only need to cross if you want to take a pretty photo!)
Stage 2 – Tenterhill to Chrome Hill
Distance: 1.8 miles/3.1 km
Grid reference SK 052 673
Walk up the track all the way for about 1 km, until you reach a farm, called Booth Farm. From here you should be able to see Chrome Hill, the iconic shape is quite unmistakable.
At Booth Farm, you head back across the fields, you remain parallel with the road for a short distance then as the road bears off to the left, and you want to be heading on the path round to the right.
After 0.6 km you’ll walk past Stoop Farm on your left.
Follow the path to the boundary wall, then turn left through a gate, heading towards Tor Rock and Chrome Hill behind it.
Continue walking along the boundary wall for 0.5 km, past Tor Rock on your right, then you go through a gate heading back downhill for a short distance, taking you to the base of Chrome Hill.
You now go through another gate and along a narrow footpath that then turns left and takes you uphill. This section is rocky and steep in some sections.
The narrow path then leads you across the ridge of Chrome Hill, where you will walk past a little nook that you can use for shelter on a rainy day walk!
After walking uphill for about 0.5 km, about 10-15 minutes, you will finally reach the rocky crop at the summit of Chrome Hill, at 425 m/1,394 ft high!
Stage 3 – Chrome Hill to Hollinsclough
Distance: 1.5 miles/2.5 km
Grid reference SK 070 673
From Chrome Hill summit, enjoy the views around the Peak District.
The walk now takes you down the other side of the summit, in front of you you’ll see Parkhouse Hill, another stunning hill close by.
From the top of Chrome hill, it’s fairly steep heading back down. Follow the path all the way down the hill towards a tree and gate. This is a popular stop for photographers, with the tree and Parkhouse Hill in the shot.
It’s worth stopping on your way down to take a few photos.
Go through the gate, then continue following the path as it undulates down the side of the hill. The path takes you all the way down to the road and the base of Parkhouse Hill.
Turn right and follow the road for a short distance, until it joins a second road. Turn right here, almost doubling back on yourself. Walk between the stone gate posts and across the cattle grid, with Chrome Hill now on your right.
Continue until the road split, keep the left and follow the road back into the village of Hollinsclough to end your walk.
Do you have any more questions about the Chrome Hill walk? Ask me in the comments below.
Options to extend this walk
Add Parkhouse Hill to the walk
Once you reach the bottom of Chrome Hill if you fancy an extra challenge you can include a short loop up to Parkhouse Hill, which is directly in front of you.
You can see an eroded path that leads from the base of the hill on left-hand-side. Alternatively, there is a rocky, steeper path to the summit on the right-hand-side. Both options, require a steep hike to the summit.
In total, this extra loop to the top adds on an extra 1 km to the walk but again bearing in mind that it’s almost another 100-metre climb to Parkhouse hill summit at 360 m/1,180 ft. Allow at least 30-40 minutes for the extra walk and stopping to admire the views from the top of Parkhouse Hill
The path down is continuing down the hill on the other side, then looping around the base of the hill to meet the road back at the base of Chrome Hill.
Extend the walk via Willshaw Hill
Want a longer route?
Why not try this 6-mile walk that includes Chrome Hill and Parkhouse Hill too.
Full route here – Chrome Hill and Parkhouse Hill walk
More Walks in the Peak District
Love the walks in the White Peak Area of the Peak District? You might like these Peak District circular walks.
- Shutlingsloe walk from Wildboarclough
- Three Shires Head walk from Gradbach
- Kinder Scout via Grindsbrook from Edale
- The Roaches, Lud’s Church and Hen Cloud
- Derbyshire Dales and Anthony Hill from Elton
Have you done the Chrome Hill walk, let me know any feedback in the comments.
Which bits of the walk did you like? Tell me in the comments below.
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Please note 'Peak District Walks' accepts no liability through any injuries or accidents that may result from walking this route. We always recommend you take a paper map and compass on your walk. Read more here.
