The Quarries Walk - Georgian Splendour – Dragon’s Back

So called because the walk is through attractive pastoral scenery encircling the (unseen) stone quarries south east of Buxton.

From this historic spa town, the walk passes through upland farms before reaching the dry valley of Deepdale and then on to Chelmorton, the highest village in Derbyshire.

The Limestone Way leads into Monyash, a village steeped in lead mining history. The route then crosses the High Peak trail into rolling countryside to arrive at Pilsbury Castle earthworks (an English Heritage site) in the upper Dove Valley.

Approaching Longnor, there are views ahead of the limestone range - including the pointed summits of Parkhouse Hill and Chrome Hill (the ‘Dragon’s Back’) which dominate their surroundings.

The next part of the walk is via hill and river valley to Hollinsclough village before heading across open country to reach Thirkelow Rocks

A brief way-marked section crosses an area occupied by the research laboratories of Sheffield University before a stretch of gentle hill walking and a glimpse of ‘Solomon’s Temple’ on the approach to Buxton.

A note on flexibility:

This walk has been designed to satisfy different walking ‘appetites’- strollers and striders!- by incorporating ‘distance/time flexibility’.

The walk is three days of roughly seven miles each day. The walk may be started from any point.

At most destinations, there are circular walks (directions provided). The walking day could therefore be extended to give anything up to 17 miles total!

If you choose to stay an extra night, a circular walk could take up part of the second day, leaving time for sightseeing or just relaxing.

The choice is yours and we are always happy to provide information.