Terrain: A lovely mix of grassy fields, roads and stoney droves/tracks with a water crossing. Has a narrow bridleway bridge over a river with gates at either end. May be necessary to dismount and lead over if your horse is nervous.
Livestock: May have cattle, donkeys and sheep in fields, you also ride past a Haflinger stud!
Newly restored for 2024, the Hollinsclough Rakes are well worth a visit with beautiful views of the Dragons Back hill range and the White Peak. This route is short but hilly. Ride it clockwise for a fantastic uphill gallop after the first river crossing!This route can easily be extended by exploring more of the rakes. We’ve only included two in this route but you can continue on to Fough for a full days hack.
1. This route starts at a very handy and quiet layby with room for several boxes/trailers. Head south into Earl Sterndale village, following the road past the school and turn left at the village green. Continue along this road, passing the village pond on your right and head downhill towards the base of Parkhouse (another hill). There’s usually a few climbers on your right, making use of the steep crags.
2. Continue along the road until you reach a turning heading straight whilst the road bends left. Take this turning. The road soon bends sharply right. Continue straight through the gate onto a grassy bridleway. This path when dry is great for a canter. You will arrive at a river crossing. Take care! A bridleway bridge has been installed with gates at either end however the bridge is narrow with a step up and a step down on either side, plus two gates to negotiate. You may find it easier to get off and remount on the other side. Once across the bridge, carry on in a straight line up the hill across the middle of a grassy field (an excellent canter opportunity!). Once at the brow of the hill, your path will become clearer. Head on the same trajectory towards the stone building on the other side of the field.
3. Follow the concrete track uphill into Longnor village. Take a right and ride along the road until you reach the village cross roads. There’s plenty of smaller shops and cafes here if you want a snack. Turn right at the cross roads and ride out of the village, passing a school on your left. Take the first left onto a minor road signed for Hollinsclough.
4. Follow this road as it heads downhill into a small hamlet with a couple of houses, make sure to take the right hand road here. Continue until you reach the village of Hollinsclough. Turn left at the centre of Hollinsclough. It looks like someones driveway but have confidence – the bridleway gate soon comes into view. Once through the gate you can choose either of the rakes to ride a loop and return back to the same gate. The two rakes are joined by a minor road affording panoramic views of the tops.
5. Once back in Hollinsclough, continue north through the village until a small ice cream shop (wendy house) appears on your left. Take this turning and carry on along the byway, avoiding the cattle grids. This takes you right past Chrome Hill. You will reach a road junction, turn left past the Caving Library and then swiftly right past storage for a fun fair and follow this bridleway through several dairy farms. This will bring you out at the start of the loop where you had your first canter. Retrace your steps back past the duck pond and through Earl Sterndale to the layby.
Parking
Use the free layby just outside of Earl Sterndale and easily accessible from the Buxton to Ashbourne road. It’s between Jerico Farm and the school. W3W at the top of the page.
