Axe Edge-Chrome Hill(low)- High Edge 18/04/2023, 09:45:50

About trip

TITLE: Axe Edge-Chrome Hill(low)- High Edge

DISTANCE: 7.8 miles (12.5km).

MINIMUM TIME: 3-4 hrs.

ASCENT: 1,600ft (488m).

DIFFICULTY: Medium/Slightly Strenuous in part.

PATHS: Some paths are indistinct and can be muddy after rain.

LANDSCAPE: Gritstone moors and cloughs with limestone hills.

START/FINISH: Grid reference: SK034696.   Postcode: SK17 0SE

DOG FRIENDLINESS: Farmland, dogs should be kept under close control.

PARKING: Lay-by beside A53 at Axe Edge.

TOILETS: None on route

DIRECTIONS TO START OF WALK –

From Congleton, take Mountbatten Way eastwards.

Follow the A54 towards Buxton.

400m before the A54 meets the A537, Macclesfield-Buxton Road, turn right on to a narrow lane,

At the end of the lane turn sharp right onto the A53, the Buxton-Leek road.

The start/finish is the lay-by, 300m on the right.

Start Point :
Grid Reference SK 03494 69726
Grid Reference (6 figure) SK034697
X (Easting) , Y (Northing) 403494 , 369726
Latitude , Longitude (decimal) 53.224569 , -1.9491211
Latitude , Longitude (degs, mins, secs) 53°13′28″N , 001°56′57″W
What3Words : cobbled.decorated.attracts
Address (near) : Leek Road, Hartington Upper Quarter, High Peak, Derbyshire
Postcode (nearest) :SK170SE 

DESCRIPTION

When you stand on Axe Edge, you're standing on the Pennine watershed.

Five rivers, the Goyt, Dane, Dove, Wye and Manifold, go separate ways towards the Irish and North seas from near here.

1,660ft (506m) above sea level on one of the wildest gritstone moors of the Dark Peak, but when you look east you're looking across to the White Peak valley of the Dove. It's a fascinating view with several rocky hills vying for attention.

One angular one stands out from all the - Chrome Hill. A narrow lane goes down into the valley, and soon you're following an old green road beneath Leap Edge.

THE DRAGON'S BACK Chrome Hill and its neighbours are the remains of coral reefs formed 320 million years ago, when Derbyshire lay under a warm tropical near the equator. Arches, caves, spires and fissures, have been carved out of the coral, creating this fascinating peak. It's sometimes known as the Dragon's Back. There's a steep downhill section before the climb, then the footpath seems to take a timid line along the west side.   Just as you think you've missed the summit path, the one you're on turns left and climbs for the sky. The path doesn't always keep to the crest, but avoids mild scrambles by plotting a devious course round the top rocks. Experienced walkers with a head for heights may well prefer to 'ride the dragon's back'.

From the top, Parkhouse Hill captures your attention... it's not unlike Chrome Hill.

The route descends to the little road at its foot. A narrow country lane makes the last bit of this journey easy.

TURN-BY-TURN DIRECTIONS

1. From the lay-by below Axe Edge, cross the main Buxton-Leek road to the lane opposite. At the first right-hand bend at the bottom of the hill turn left/go straight through the first of two gates. Pass the house to your right, going through a small gate and descend to Cistern's Clough bridge. Take the slight rise up to Fairthorn Farm.   Past the house swing right on the drive up to the road at Thirkelow Rocks.

2. Turn right along the road for around 200yds (183m), then take the farm track on the right to Thirkelow Farm, which nestles under the outcrop of Thirkelow Rocks. Go through the yard and take the right fork that leads down into the clough.

3. Where the track ends, veer slightly right and down to the waymarker post highlighting a duckboard bridge and the continuing route up towards Booth Farm.

4. Nearing the farm, bear left over stiles, skirting the buildings, to a lane. Go left, then fork right for Stoop Farm. At adjacent gates, cross a stile by the left one. Initially follow a fence, then curve left to a wall stile.   Carry on through a gate to intersect a track.   Cross and walk on with the top wall on your left towards Chrome Hill and Glutton Bridge.

5. Go through a couple of gates and over a broken wall; the way curves down to a stile. Carry on to a duckboard bridge, then turn sharp left towards the ridge. Go through a small gate and turn left. Follow the path around the base of  Chrome Hill to a small gate under a tree and down to the lane beneath Parkhouse Hill.

6. Turn left along the rising lane through Dowall Dale, passing Dowall Hall, towards Greensides.

7. Bear left at Greensides on the lane leaving High Edge and the Buxton Raceway to your right.

8. Just pass the entrance to the track to Thirkelow Farm, turrn left. Bear right down the lane to Fairthorn Farm. Go straight through the car park/farm yard down to Cistern's Clough bridge. As you cross the bridge the small gate appears at the top of the rise to your right. Go through  the small gate passing the house to your left. Continue on the rising track, throught the two gates to the lane. Turn right on to the lane which rises up to the main Buxton-Leek road and the lay-by below Axe Edge.