Peak Experience

This series of spectacular rock outcrops borders the moorlands of the Dark Peak looking down on the Derwent Valley.  The most impressive exposures are from Stanage to Dobb’s Edge (near Chatsworth House).  They include the escarpments at Burbage Edge, Millstone Edge (near Hathersage), Froggatt Edge, Curbar Edge, Baslow Edge and Gardom’s Edge.

 

A picture of Beds on the Eastern Edges

 

Along the Edges you can see plenty of evidence for the geological processes that formed this sedimentary rock.  In an ancient river delta, layers (or ‘beds) of sediment were deposited over time gradually forming into stone.  The ‘bedding’ shows clearly in the exposed cliff sides along much of the Edges territory.

 

The gritstones (coarse sandstones) once covered the whole of the White Peak from the Roaches in the west to Kinder Scout in the north, and beyond.  Chatsworth grit is the main rock and its sands and gravels are now exposed in a near-continuous escarpment of solid rock from Ewden to Bradfield.

 

A picture of Burbage Quarry A picture of The Eastern Edges

 

Visit Millstone Edge to understand something of the human involvement and industrial history of this area.  Here, you’ll see unfinished millstones poking out from among the bracken to reveal the manufacturing past of this popular ‘wild place’.

 

A picture of the Millstone Edge quarry A picture of Baslow bridge

 

Good places to see the Eastern Edges are Longshaw for Millstone and Burbage Edges, the nearby National Trust car park for Froggatt Edge, and Curbar Gap for Curbar Edge.  Visitor facilities are available at Grindleford, Hathersage, Baslow and Longshaw.  Have a look at Baslow bridge to see local millstone grit used as building stone.

 

Grindleford Geological Trail