Introduction
After a very wet few days, I was a little nervous as I headed out to the Staffordshire / Derbyshire border country in the Peak District.
The weather was cool but bright, often sunny, and not at all windy.
It’s a 50 minute drive from Cheadle Hulme to the hamlet of Hollinsclough, which is about 2.5 miles east of the A53.
The 7 mile walk has 1470feet (450m) of ascent. As the map shows, it is quite a linear walk, with numerous opportunities to reduce in length by taking paths or roads between the outward and return routes that I used.
I walked in a clockwise direction, and it took 3 hours 45 minutes including lunch.
This walk isn’t suitable for dog walking. There are some difficult fences to negotiate, tricky marshy areas, and plenty of sheep pasture.
The walk is on OS Explorer Map OL24.
I parked on the roadside near the Methodist Chapel whose postcode is SK17 0RH.
Whilst crossing the single track minor road which links the A537 (just after the Cat and Fiddle) to the A53, I spotted a raven on a post. I stopped and it didn’t move. I wound the window of the car down, and it didn’t move. Of course, just as I pressed the shutter, it flew off. However, I still captured it! Magnificent, huge bird.
Hollinsclough To Colshaw
Hollinsclough is an old, small hamlet. It has a 19th century VR postbox.
I’d intended using the old byways out of the hamlet, but they were closed for repairs, so I took the road up the road, Hollinsclough Rake, which gave great classic views of Chrome and Parkhouse Hills (of which more later), and also up the clough.
The roads are devoid of traffic, and rise steadily through farmland. There are still good views back to Chrome Hill.
Approaching Hill Top Farm, there are now pleasant views across the fields to tree lined valleys.
The route crosses a stream at Moseley.
After passing the pretty cottage (featured in the header picture) the track came to a stream with no bridge. It wasn’t easy to find a safe crossing, but I managed to stay dry!
At Colshaw the farm sign seemed almost American in style!
Colshaw To Howe Green
The rolling hills continued in this part of the walk.
These two seemed pleased to see me when I reached Dove Head.
A little further on, I found this lady was a sentry, and was soon joined by her mates. I exited the field before they approached too close.
The top of the walk reaches almost back to the A53, but then turns right to head down to the return valleys. Chrome Hill is still just visible in the distance, on the right of this picture.
I was soon back in secluded, picturesque countryside.
At Howe Green the path goes through the front garden, and down across a bridge, before rising on the other side, giving great views back to the house.
Howe Green To Hollinsclough
The final part of the walk runs along the beautiful valley of the upper reaches of the River Dove.
Firstly, you look down the valley as you approach from Howe Green.
The sun is low in the sky at this time of year, so the far bank was in shade as I looked back upstream.
The path drops down to river level, meeting another brook which comes down from Brand End.
The path then rises to meet a pretty, cobbled, byway which then falls back down to the riverside.
At the river is a lovely bridge, one I’ve crossed on previous walks to Chrome Hill.
From here I follow a familiar path along the west side of the river plain. It gets quite boggy along here, but the final view to Chrome and Parkhouse Hills is always worth it.
In conclusion, this walk uses paths that few people follow. I saw no-one today. being little used they aren’t well maintained and so it is quite a difficult walk. I’m sure experienced walkers would enjoy the challenge, as I certainly did.
And Finally….
Saturday night we’re seeing Squeeze at the Apollo. And, it gets better, they are being supported by Dr John Cooper Clarke, Bard of Salford.
Here he is referencing some local Stockport places, and gaining the admiration from this town by proclaiming
“I Don’t Want To Go To Burnley”