This Parkhouse Hill and Chrome Hill walk is a must-do route in the Peak District, with stunning views from both hills and the surrounding area.
Many years ago both hills formed part of a coral reefs and if you keep an eye out on your walk you’ll see fossils in the rocks! Please note this is a SSSI area so take only photos.
From Earl Sterndale, you first head out of the village and within less than 10 minutes you already have views towards Parkhouse Hill ahead. This route takes you up to the summit of Parkhouse Hill first, dropping down (via two options – one very steep/one more gradual), then it’s back uphill again to Chrome Hill summit.
Once you head down from Chrome Hill the route loops round, along Dowel Dale, with views of Chrome Hill from a distance then back to the base of Parkhouse Hill where you head back to Earl Sterndale.
Here you will find details on how to get to the start of the walk at Earl Sterndale, route information, map, GPX file, plus a detailed step by step guide of the walk.
Let me know in the comments if you’ve done this Parkhouse Hill walk and what you think!
Parkhouse Hill + Chrome Hill from Earl Sterndale
Walk information
Walk type: Short circular walk
Distance: 4.6 miles/7.4 km
Walk time: 2-3 hours
Total ascent: 466 m/1,528 ft
Highest point: 425 m/1,394 ft
Walk highlights: Views of Parkhouse Hill and Chrome Hill from all angles! Plus stunning views of the surrounding valley from the summits.
Trig points: 0 (nearest Hollinsclough Moor)
Stiles: 6
Parkhouse Hill + Chrome Hill walk map
Walk start point
Start grid reference: SK 09004 67011
Car parking address: Main Street, Earl Sterndale, Buxton, SK17 0BX
There is no car park in Earl Sterndale but there’s a small village green area where you can park for free on the road. This is in between the Quiet Woman pub and church so easy to spot – Google location.
Please note this can be busy during peak times so consider starting from a different location to respect local residents. Check out our other two routes for Chrome Hill + Parkhouse Hill (4 + 5 miles) from Hollinsclough
Public transport
Nearest train station: Buxton train station (5 mile/8 km)
There’s a bus service from Buxton with High Peak – no. 442 bus which runs a Summer service.
Facilities on the walk
There are no public toilets available at the start of the walk at Earl Sterndale. The nearest public toilets are at Parsley Hay car park (Google maps), about 4 miles/10 minute drive so an option to stop on the way to or from your walk.
Alternatively, support the local pub and pop in for a drink and use their facilities! January 2022 update – The Quiet Woman pub is closed at the moment, please check beforehand it’s re-opened if you’re planning to visit.
Chrome Hill patch
Another classic Peak District hill on a patch! Chrome Hill is a brilliant walk to do in the White Peaks area.
Our patch captures the view from nearby Parkhouse Hill. Orders yours now :).
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Other useful information
If you take the descent at the end of Parkhouse Hill you’ll find it quite a scramble, be sure to read the route description and pick the easily path down if a steep descent isn’t your thing!
Please note that this can be a popular walk at peak times so please be conscious of local residents when parking.
Peak District weather
Check the weather for your walk location and hills
- BBC Weather for Earl Sterndale
- Met Office weather for the Peak District
- Met Office weather for Harpur Hill (nearest hill)
Ordnance Survey walk map
The map required for this walk is the Ordnance Survey OL24 – Peak District (White Peak Area). Check prices here with Ordnance Survey or Amazon. If you’re hiking in all weathers the Active OS maps are pretty good to have.
And don’t forget your compass, I recommend the Silva Expedition or for the Silva Classic (cheaper option).
For online maps, you can get via OS Online App or Viewranger App. Check prices here for the one month or yearly option with OS Online App (I’ve use for 3+ years and well worth it).
Parkhouse Hill + Chrome Hill walk route
Stage 1 – Earl Sterndale to Parkhouse Hill
Distance: 0.8 miles/1.3 km
Grid reference SK 09008 67015
From Earl Sterndale, walk down the road past The Quiet Woman pub (with pub on left, church on right). After 100 m, on your left you’ll see a wide track and gate, with a small stone gap to go through. Begin on the track but then walk up towards the next corner of the field to a wooden gate. You’ll already see Parkhouse Hill ahead by this stage (in good weather).
Walk across to the next wall, where there’s a stone stile/step. Go over and head down towards the road and a small gate. Cross the road and through the next gate directly opposite. Continue walking ahead to the next fence and small gate. Once through here you need to bear diagonally right towards the base of Parkhouse Hill and another small gate!
Go through here and pick up the faint path that heads up the nose of Parkhouse Hill, aiming roughly towards the small tree. The path snakes up the hill, making the climb slightly easier. Keep following the ridge of the hill all the way to the summit.
Stage 2 – Parkhouse Hill to Chrome Hill
Distance: 0.6 mile/1 km
Grid reference SK 07954 66961
From the top of Parkhouse Hill you continue alongside the path that heads downhill, it’s a narrow path that gradually descends. You have two options for the final descent.
1. Keep following the narrow path which will eventually bear left and down a very steep ascent (tricky if it’s wet). Or second option…
2. As you near the end of the hill, look for a faint path on your right, it doubles back so appears as if you’re going the wrong way but it’s a more gradual ascent on the grassy banks of Parkhouse Hill.
Once you’re at the bottom of the hill, turn right, cross the road and you’ll find a stile next to the stone wall. Go over here and pick up the path alongside the wall as it heads uphill, there are a couple of paths heading uphill all ending up at the same spot near the large tree. Go through the gate and keep walking uphill until you reach the top of Chrome Hill.
Stage 3 – Chrome Hill to Dowel Dale
Distance: 1.7 miles/2.7 km
Grid reference SK 07074 67310
From Chrome Hill summit, again continue following the path heading downhill, a narrow path with a few tricky sections where the rocks and path mix! You’ll follow the path down towards the right, then it loops round to the left for another steep descent to a gate at the bottom.
Go through the gate and walk towards the next gate ahead, signposted Concession Path. Once through the gate turn right and walk uphill, alongside the fence to the top. As you reach the fence at the top, turn left and stay alongside the wall through the next fields until you reach a cattle grid, with a fingerpost.
Turn right here over the stile, signposted public footpath and down the track towards the road. Turn right and walk along the road as it winds through Dowel Dale. This isn’t a busy road but please look out for traffic.
Stage 4 – Dowel Dale to Earl Sterndale
Distance: 1.6 miles/2.6 km
Grid reference SK 07592 67861
After 1.3 km along Dowel Dale, look for a small gate and signpost on your left, go through and uphill to the next stone wall with a signpost with yellow arrow. Look right you’ll see Chrome Hill.
Walk across to the next wall, over three stone steps over the wall then down to a small gate onto a track. Turn right here and walk down the track, at the road turn right and look for a fingerpost public footpath sign on your right (photo above). Go through and head downhill, then bear left along the bottom next to the wall (this can be boggy in places).
Walk until you reach Glutton Farm, go through the gate and turn left and head towards the road through a second wide gate. Turn right at the road and back to the small gate on your left (at the beginning on your walk).
Head up to the wall, through the gap in the wall and bear right heading uphill then towards the wooden gate. Now it’s simply back down to Earl Sterndale, through the stone gap in the wall and turn right back into the village.
Ask me questions about the Parkhouse Hill and Chrome Hill walk in the comments below.
Other walk information
More walks in the Peak District
Love 5-mile walks? You might like these Peak District circular walks.
- Alderman’s Hill Walk (+ Saddleworth Trig) From Greenfield | 3 or 5 Mile Route
- Magpie Mine Short Walk From Ashford-in-the-Water | 5.5 Mile Route
- Bradford Dale Short Walk Near Youlgreave | 5-Mile Route
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Did this walk on 31/10/21 and it was brilliant, quite tough in places as we had a lot of rain the night before but really glad I took myself and my trusty steed (Fred my yellow Lab) along to do the walk. Great stuff, thanks for publishing the walk
Ah fantastic Mark, glad you enjoyed the walk, yes, the limestone rocks do get slippy after lots of rain so I’m glad you had Fred with you, I feel like I need a Fred in my life! Hope you enjoy many more 🙂
Hi, Becky. I did this walk yesterday (20/11/2021) for the first time. Great little route, using your GPX and notes. Some tricky sections (mostly when going downhill) on the two hills but nothing too hair raising, even for someone that isn’t too confident when scrambling. Really enjoyed it. Thank you.
Hi Richard, ah that’s lovely to hear I’m glad you had a great walk. Yes, the downhill bits are always the most challenging, I’m definitely more of an uphill person haha! Hope you’ll be back to try some more 🙂
Just to say the Quiet Woman pub is temporarily closed in Earl Sterndale. I think nearest one is the Pack Horse Inn at Crowdecote, 4 mins drive away.
Ah great thanks Anne Marie, I know a few pubs have closed in January to get work done, makes sense as lots of people do Dry January now!
Did this walk today 4/10/23. Enjoyed the walk. Quite difficult in places especially when wet. Great views from the top of Chrome. Lots of ups and downs. Feels like an 8 mile walk rather than 5. Nice quieter part of the Peak District.
Hi Andy, ah glad you enjoyed the walk, those are two of my favourites hills in the Peak District. The limestone in the White Peak area gets really slippy when it’s wet so definitely makes it tougher this time of year 🙂