Introduction
It was misty as I drove over towards Buxton from Macclesfield this morning, but it was evident that the mist would burn away, and so it proved.
Hollinsclough is a classic starting point for an ascent of Chrome Hill, but I decided to explore an area further to the northwest today.
It’sa 50 – 60 minute drive to Hollinsclough from Cheadle Hulme.
The walk was due to be under 6 miles, but due to an absent bridge and strong current in the swollen brook, one of the headwaters of the River Dove, it turned out longer than that for me. There was about 1200feet of ascent too, so more challenging than I’d expected. It took me 3 hours, plus a 15 minute lunch stop, but would have been less with out the enforced route change.
This walk is unsuitable for dogs, other than small breeds (due to difficult stiles) and those happy on leads (due to sheep everywhere)!
I walked in an anticlockwise direction.
The walk is on OS Explorer Map OL21.
I parked on the roadside in Hollinsclough, a small settlement with a walkers tearoom and a chapel, postcode SK17 0RH, What 3 Words ///gloves.sheet.detriment
Here is the route I planned.
And here’s the walk as I completed it! I recorded the path closure on the OS app, hence the red blob icon.
Hollinsclough To Booth Farm
As I left the lane to join the valley in the clough, the mass of Chrome Hill rose splendidly across the valley. Buxton’s answer to Uluru!
The view up the valley is less spectacular, but not too shabby.
I made my way down to the brook.
Rising along the opposite bank, I enjoyed another view of Chrome Hill, and its junior partner, Parkhouse Hill.
The splendid views continued as I ambled along the valley side.
I was soon approaching the busy-looking Booth Farm.
Booth Farm To Fairthorn
Beyond the farm, my route initially went downhill, past the pretty farm pond.
Down in the valley, the tussocks were lined up like soldiers in busbies!
From here there is a steady incline all the way up to Thirkelow holiday cottages, nestled below the Rocks of the same name.
A 50 yard stretch on a minor road brought me to the drive to Fairthorn, a delightfully maintained country property.
Trouble Ahead
I headed on towards Brand Side.
This property was less well cared for, despite its attractive location.
As I made my way on to Brand Top, a buzzard was surveying my movements quite suspiciously!
At the top, a typical former residence lay in ruins, with an equally ruined caravan alongside it, perhaps indicating a failed restoration attempt.
I crossed a couple of fields, and dropped back down towards the valley. At a fork in the path, I took the steep path down to the footbridge over the brook.
Footbridge… what footbridge?
I’m sure that with more typical water levels, there would have been usable stepping stones, and I was tempted to make a leap for it, before discretion rightly took over!
I made my way back up to the fork, recorded the damage on the OS app, and proceeded on my varied route. The next path down to the water’s edge was possibly even steeper than the first, but at least the boggy area at the bottom was protected by a walkway.
This is a beautiful place. The native birds were in song, and will soon be joined by returning summer visitors.
Back To Hollinsclough
The path doesn’t cross the main brook here, and I had to rise up the left bank again, before another track took me down to the ford and beautiful footbridge where 7 paths meet.
I continued up the cobbled path towards Tenterhill, before joining the very minor road up to Moorside Farm.
At the top, Hollinscough Rake affords a great view of Booth Farm (far right) and Thirkelow Rocks (centre left) from the earlier part of my walk.
Then looking ahead, the view to Chrome Hill is glorious. From this same point, I took the zoomed in picture of the walkers atop the summit that I used for my header picture. Very impressed with my camera!
And also a close-up of Parkhouse Hill, that seems almost like an aerial picture.
So that concluded a wonderful walk, with an unexpected adventurous route change!
And Finally….
A friend alerted me to the music of “Stanleys”, another in the pipeline of excellent indie bands from Wigan.
This track is called “He Knows”.
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