Chrome Hill

Chrome Hill

Chrome Hill rises above the upper Dove Valley near Earl Sterndale and Hollinsclough, on the Derbyshire side of the Peak District. Its jagged limestone crest is often called the Dragon’s Back. The nickname is also used for walks linking it with neighbouring Parkhouse Hill, a separate, lower summit with particularly steep ground.

Summit and landscape

The Database of British and Irish Hills records Chrome Hill at 439.2 m (1,441 ft), with 57 m prominence, in its May 2025 record revision. The summit feature is a limestone outcrop at SK070673. Parkhouse Hill is 375 m. Views take in Parkhouse, Hollins Hill and the upper Dove Valley.

These hills expose fossil-rich Carboniferous reef limestone. The British Geological Survey describes reef and fore-reef deposits on their ridges and slopes, helping explain the striking contrast with the surrounding softer-rock landscape. A small natural arch lies beside Chrome Hill’s north-western ridge path.

Approaching the hill

Use the signed permissive paths to reach the ridge. From the south-east, the approach leaves the minor road near the cattle grid at SK076670, between Chrome Hill and Parkhouse Hill, then climbs through a gate beneath a tree. At the north-west end, the signed junction near SK064682, by the Stoop Farm access road, leads past the eastern side of Tor Rock towards the ridge. Follow the gates and waymarks where the path bends; the surrounding farmland is not a general shortcut.

Open access on the hill and permission to cross the approach fields are different things. Follow signs and any current restrictions, and carry a map rather than relying on a visible track alone.

Choosing a walk

• Hollinsclough circuit: Walking Britain’s Chrome Hill route is 7.3 km, with a published time of 3 hours and an easy/mod grade. It returns via Booth Farm and Washgate Bridge without requiring Parkhouse Hill.
• Earl Sterndale circuit: Countryfile’s 8.7 km, 3.5-hour walk combines Parkhouse Hill, Chrome Hill and Hollinsclough. Its moderate grade is the publisher’s; Parkhouse adds a notably steep descent.
• Brandside circuit: The Great Outdoors’ route is 9.6 km, with a published duration of 4–5 hours, through the upper Dove Valley. Its main circuit leaves out the optional Parkhouse scramble.

These distances and times describe complete published circuits, not one-way summit ascents. Weather, footing and the group’s pace can change how long a walk takes.

Terrain and safety

Expect steep grassy slopes, uneven limestone, narrow ridge sections and awkward steps. Wet limestone can be exceptionally slippery. A fall on steep ground can be serious, so allow time for careful descent and choose another walk if wind, ice or wet footing makes the ridge unsuitable. Parkhouse Hill’s sharp western end is a separate challenge and should not be treated as an automatic extension to a Chrome Hill outing.

Getting there

There is limited roadside parking in Earl Sterndale and Hollinsclough; leave gates, drives and passing places clear. The Brandside route also starts where roadside space is limited. High Peak’s 442 serves Earl Sterndale from Buxton; check the timetable for your travel day and the last return before setting off.

Bring food and water. Do not rely on the former Quiet Woman pub in Earl Sterndale for refreshments.

The name

The Royal Geographical Society’s Discovering Britain guide links “Chrome” to an Old English word meaning bent or twisted and gives a pronunciation rhyming with “broom”.