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Dragon's Back - Peak District Walk
Tuesday 6th May 2008
This is a walk that I have been waiting to do for months because I wanted a combination of good views and dry paths, for the climb up Chrome Hill. I was certainly rewarded for my patience.
Start: Longnor (SK 0889 6492)
Route: Longnor - Green Lane - High Wheeldon (TP) - Earl Sterndale - Dowel Dale - High Edge - Chrome Hill - Longnor
Distance: 8.75 miles Ascent: 549 metres Time Taken: 5 hours
Terrain: Mostly on good paths and quiet lanes. Some scrambling on narrow the edges on Chrome Hill.
Weather: Sunny and warm.
Pub Visited: None Ale Drunk: None
![High Wheeldon High Wheeldon](2008-05-06/high%20wheeldon.jpg)
High Wheeldon, the first climb of the day, seen from the Top o' th' Edge.
![Chrome Hill & Parkhouse Hill Chrome Hill & Parkhouse Hill](2008-05-06/DB%20&%20PH.jpg)
The classic, but hazy, view of Chrome Hill (L) and Parkhouse Hill (R).
![High Wheeldon's trig High Wheeldon's trig](2008-05-06/high%20wheeldon%20trig.jpg)
High Wheeldon's summit trig.
![](2008-05-06/high%20wheeldon%20plaque.jpg)
This is a National Trust property as the commemorative plaque on the trig shows.
![Aldery Cliff Aldery Cliff](2008-05-06/earl%20sterndale.jpg)
The views extend as far as Axe Edge from the top of High Wheeldon. Closer to me is Aldery Cliff with the village of Earl Sterndale to its right.
![Top o' th' Edge Top o' th' Edge](2008-05-06/top%20of%20edge.jpg)
Looking across to the ridge which is Top o' th' Edge.
![Aldery Cliff Aldery Cliff](2008-05-06/aldery%20cliff.jpg)
Aldery Cliff from the lane into Earl Sterndale. If you have the choice take the higher road into/from the village, the views are much better and the climb to High Wheeldon is much easier.
![High Wheeldon High Wheeldon](2008-05-06/high%20wheeldon1.jpg)
High Wheeldon. It looks much steeper, from this angle, than it felt to climb it.
![Parkhouse Hill Parkhouse Hill](2008-05-06/parkhouse%20hill.jpg)
Parkhouse Hill. With the rock known as Sugarloaf clearly visible at the foot of the hill.
![Chrome Hill Chrome Hill](2008-05-06/dragons%20back.jpg)
Chrome Hill or as it is more popularly known Dragon's Back. Easy to see why from this angle.
![Dowel Dale Dowel Dale](2008-05-06/dowel%20dale.jpg)
Dowel Dale.
![High Edge High Edge](2008-05-06/high%20edge.jpg)
Looking across to High Edge, from the top of Dowel Dale. This was planned as my second summit of the day.
![](2008-05-06/calves.jpg)
Two mums keep a close eye on me. I gave them a wide berth in order not to spook them.
![Axe Edge Axe Edge](2008-05-06/axe%20edge.jpg)
Looking across High Edge Raceway, to Axe Edge, from the foot of High Edge.
![High Edge's summit High Edge's summit](2008-05-06/high%20edge%20summit.jpg)
Looking across the limestone pavement to High Edge's summit. The limestone pavement isn't marked on the map so I was quite surprised to see it. I couldn't actually access the summit as it was fenced off, despite this being access land. I didn't fancy scrambling over barbed wire twice.
![Chrome Hill Chrome Hill](2008-05-06/chrome%20hill.jpg)
Heading along the concessionary path towards Chrome Hill.
![Chrome Hill Chrome Hill](2008-05-06/chrome%20hill1.jpg)
A closer view. The route goes up the ridge and whilst in places it does require hands it's quite safe if you take it steady.
![High Edge High Edge](2008-05-06/from%20chrome%20hill.jpg)
Starting up the Dragon's Back and looking back to High Edge, the pointed hill left of centre.
![Chrome Hill Chrome Hill](2008-05-06/chrome%20hill%20summit.jpg)
Approaching Chrome Hill's summit.
![](2008-05-06/arch.jpg)
The natural arch on Chrome Hill. Whilst lying down to take this shot I caught my wide-angle lens against a rock which gave me a few moments of panic whilst I checked I hadn't cracked or chipped it.
![High Edge High Edge](2008-05-06/chrome%20hill%20to%20high%20edge.jpg)
Looking back to High Edge from the summit.
![Hollins Hill Hollins Hill](2008-05-06/hollins%20hill.jpg)
Moving round and looking across Hollins Hill to Axe Edge.
![Parkhouse Hill Parkhouse Hill](2008-05-06/parkhouse%20hill1.jpg)
Parkhouse Hill, opposite Chrome Hill, taken as I start to head down from the summit.
![Upper Dove Valley Upper Dove Valley](2008-05-06/upper%20dove.jpg)
Looking across the Upper Dove Valley from Chrome Hill.
![Parkhouse Hill Parkhouse Hill](2008-05-06/parkhouse2.jpg)
A closer look at Parkhouse Hill. Compared to Chrome Hill it has much narrower ridge and summit so it can wait for another day, when I have some company.
![Sugarloaf Sugarloaf](2008-05-06/sugarloaf.jpg)
Sugarloaf, at the foot of Parkhouse Hill.
![Sugarloaf Sugarloaf](2008-05-06/sugarloaf1.jpg)
Sugarloaf, again.
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