So youโre on the lookout for another leg stretching adventure with views for days. Stick your best walking boots on and letโs discover the Dragonโs Back Walk in the Peak District!
Where Is The Dragons Back Walk?
Itโs located within the gorgeous Peak District in England.
The Dragons Back is a circular walk both starting and ending in the Staffordshire Moorlands hamlet of Hollinsclough.
What To Expect From The Walk
Firstly, youโll take in some jaw dropping sites along the way and thereโs plenty of rest spots to do just that.
Youโll park the car in Hollinsclough (free parking) before walking country lanes and field paths whilst taking in the sights over the Staffordshire Hills.
Youโll come across many farms and beautiful stone walls before you cross part of the crest of the Dragonโs Back.
This will bring you over the very top of Chrome Hill (sitting at 425m above sea level) where you can take in panoramic views across the valley. Youโll also be able to spot Parkhouse Hill from here.
Finally you start the descent through more field paths and country lanes all the way back to Hollinsclough.
This circular walk is approximately 3.9 miles long so make sure youโve chosen your most comfortable walking shoes. Good grip and support are essential because some of the terrain can be challenging โ expect uneven rocks in some places as well as steep ups and downs (especially around the top of Chrome Hill).
You should allow around 3 to 4 hours to complete this walk. This takes into account rest stops where youโll soak in the views all around you.
Dragons Back Walk Directions
Weโre going to let you know the route along with things to look out for to make sure you stay on the right path!
1. In the centre of Hollinsclough, youโll come across a telephone box near a verge. This has been specially set aside as parking for visitors to the Dragons Back trail. From here, head up Hollinsclough Rake (north west direction) and youโll pass the Methodist chapel on your right. Thereโs also a barn with a post box built into the wall on the left hand side.
2. Once youโre around 200 metres out of the village, youโll come to a derelict barn on your right. Immediately after this you should come across a public footpath which you should follow along the side of the hill (the path is pretty obvious so you shouldnโt miss it). From this path youโll be able to see both Chrome Hill and Parkhouse hill to your right.
3. Youโll start a descent that takes you to a stone bridge that goes over the River Dove. Cross the bridge and go through the decorative metal gate. Very shortly after you should turn left and follow the footpath (signposted).
4. Keep following the trail (donโt worry, this section is well signposted) until you reach the T-junction. Turn left here on to the farm track (this is quite rocky but shortly turns to grass). Follow the track and go through the wide gate (stone walls on either side). Pass to the right of the small cottage. Donโt take any other paths you may come across at this point โ simply head straight on once youโve passed the cottage. If youโre walking during the summer months, youโll see plenty of foxgloves. During the Autumn, this will have changed to yellow gorse. This section will allow you to see over the hills towards Axe Edge Moor.
5. Youโll want to keep following this track and it will lead you around the side of a hill. Keep a look out on your left for a farm and a road โ this is your next waypoint. Once youโve reached the road, follow it to the right and youโll be heading in the correct direction.
6. Mind your step as you cross over a cattle grid. Once youโve crossed this, you should come across a step stile on your right that will take you over an area of fields. Again, thereโs another obvious path here so you should be able to follow it without too much trouble. It goes up the hill and through various gates โ keep on going.
7. When you reach a signpost (this on on a junction of paths) youโll want to continue straight on. It should read Glutton Bridge via Chrome Hill and you need to go straight through the gate and over another field.
8. Chrome Hill will come into view on your right (look our for itโs bumpy spine). Stick to the marked path which turns right and follow the fence line all the way to the bottom of the hill. Turn left here and follow the Concession Path, pass through a kissing gate and head towards Chrome Hill which should be in front of you at this point.
9. Keep heading towards Chrome Hill โ you should be following another quite obvious footpath. Youโll come across another small kissing gate and now the path will become steep to the left โ youโre ascending up to the top of Chrome Hill! Carry on until you pass over the top. Try to keep your footing during this section as the terrain is very uneven and the limestone rocks can become slippery during wet weather. Be mindful of the steep drops on either side of the track too.
10. Once youโve passed over the top of the hill, continue downwards following the obvious path towards a tree all on itโs own. At the bottom of the tree there is a gate which you should pass through and continue following the well marked path as it continues its way down the hill. Head over the stile you will come across and on to the road.
11. Follow the road to the right โ you should be passing Parkhouse Hill to your left whilst Chrome Hill is on the right.
12. Around 100 metres down this road youโll come across a rocky track on your right (it passes through stone posts and is signed as the โTrack to Hollinscloughโ. Continue up this path (ignore any other paths you may come across as before) and cross a wooden bridge over the River Dove.
13. The track should have widened by now. Follow it through a gate and keep an eye out for another junction with a track. Here, turn left and keep following the signs towards Hollinsclough.
14. Youโll eventually reach the end of the path and be met by a lane where you should turn right. Itโs a quiet country lane with no pavements so be extra vigilant for moving vehicles here. You can simply follow this and youโll end up back where you started!
Walk The Dragons Back!
If you havenโt already finished the walk whilst using this guide to point you in the right direction, all thatโs left for you to do is head to the Peak District and crack on!
If youโve found this guide useful or even interesting, be sure to leave a comment below!
