View source for Derwent Edge

{{Short description|Escarpment in United Kingdom}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox mountain
| name = Derwent Edge
| photo = Salt_cellar_2_(2).jpg
| photo_caption = The Salt Cellar with Ladybower Reservoir in the Background
| elevation_m = 538
| elevation_ref = (Back Tor)<ref name=hb>{{cite web |url=http://www.hill-bagging.co.uk/mountaindetails.php?qu=S&rf=3637 |title=Back Tor |website=www.hill-bagging.co.uk |access-date=10 March 2016}}</ref>
| prominence = {{convert|67|m|ft|abbr=on}}<ref name=hb/>
| range = [[Peak District]]
| parent_peak = [[Kinder Scout]]<ref name=hb/>
| listing = [[TuMP]]
| location = [[Derbyshire]], [[England]]
| map = United Kingdom Peak District#United Kingdom Derbyshire#United Kingdom South Yorkshire
| map_caption = Location in the Peak District##Location in Derbyshire##Location in South Yorkshire
| map_size = 200
| label = Black Tor
| label_position = left###right###right
| coordinates = {{coord|53.4152|-1.7041|type:mountain_region:GB|display=inline}} {{nowrap|(Back Tor)}}
| grid_ref_UK = SK197909
| topo = [[Ordnance Survey|OS]] ''Landranger'' 110
}}
'''Derwent Edge''' is a [[Gritstone|Millstone Grit]] [[escarpment]] that lies above the [[Upper Derwent Valley]] in the [[Peak District]] [[National Park]] in the English county of [[Derbyshire]]. An [[Ordnance Survey]] [[Trig point|column]] marks the highest point of the Edge at '''Back Tor''' (538 metres, 1765&nbsp;feet).<ref name=hb/> North of Back Tor the edge extends into [[Howden Edge]] and enters the county of [[South Yorkshire]].

== Geography and geology ==
The [[Millstone Grit]] forms the edge of the high peat [[moorland]] plateau on the eastern side of the valley above [[Ladybower Reservoir]], the edges being the last remains of the gritstone which originally covered all of the Peak District, most of which was scraped off by glaciers in the last [[ice age]].

The Edge itself is notable for its unusual gritstone [[Tor (rock formation)|tors]] and its views of the Derwent Valley and the [[Dark Peak]] landscape; these features along with its proximity to [[Sheffield]] have made it a popular venue for walkers. Its popularity has led to substantial path erosion and the most affected parts of the edge between The Salt Cellar and Lost Lad Hillend have been paved with natural stone slabs to reduce further damage as part of the Lottery Paths Project.

== Tors ==
Derwent Edge has several examples of unusually shaped gritstone tors that have been formed by the actions of wind, rain, and frost over many centuries. These tors have been named over the years by local residents and have now been officially titled on Ordnance Survey maps. These include the Cakes of Bread, the Coach and Horses, and the Salt Cellar. The Coach and Horses (also known as the Wheel Stones and thus named on Ordnance Survey maps) resemble a coach and horses on the horizon when viewed from the [[A57 road]] to the south. [[Lost Lad]] Hillend is worth visiting as it has a stone-built topographic indicator to aid in identifying landmarks in the extensive view.

== Walking ==
Derwent Edge is popular with walkers and is described in many walking guides. Mark Richards describes a 10.5-mile walk in his book “High Peak Walks” ({{ISBN|0-902363-43-3}}), starting at the Fairholmes car park in the Upper Derwent Valley (Grid Reference {{gbm4ibx|SK172893}}) at the northern end of Ladybower Reservoir; it is also possible to access the edge from Cutthroat Bridge (lay by parking) on the A57 ({{gbm4ibx|SK216873}}) or from [[Strines Reservoir]] car park ({{gbm4ibx|SK220909}}) near the Strines public house. The outcrops along Derwent Edge are popular with [[Climbing|rock climbers]], particularly the largest, Dovestone Tor, which has about 50 different routes ranging from difficult to Extremely Severe; however, it is not as well used as the nearby [[Stanage Edge]].

== Conservation ==
{{norefs|section|date=October 2024}}
Much of the moorland around Derwent Edge has been declared a [[Site of Special Scientific Interest]] (SSSI) because of its special vegetation and rare birds and animals, such as the [[Eurasian golden plover]], [[red grouse]], [[ring ouzel]] and [[mountain hare]]. Rare species of plants such as [[common cottongrass]], mountain strawberry, and [[crowberry]] grow in the area. It has been proposed as a [[Special Protection Area]] for birds under the [[Birds Directive|European Directive on the conservation of wild birds]]. The edge is part of the [[National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty|National Trust's]] [[High Peak Estate]] and visitors are free to roam at will but are urged to keep to established routes to avoid disturbing breeding birds. There are occasional times when the moors are closed for management purposes and grouse shooting – signs are posted at these times.

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:Cakes of Bread 1 (2).JPG|The Cakes of Bread, about {{cvt|15|ft}} high
File:Coach and Horses 2 (2).JPG|The Coach and Horse or Wheel Stones, about {{cvt|25|ft}} high
File:Derwent Salt Cellar.JPG|Salt Cellar with the edge visible in the background
</gallery>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== Bibliography ==
* {{cite book |title=High Peak Walks |first=Mark |last=Richards |publisher=Cicerone Press |date=1985 |ISBN=0-902363-43-3}}

== External links ==
* [http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w-findaplace/w-highpeakestate/w-highpeakestate-countryside/w-east_midlands-places-peakdistrict-map-derwent_howden_moors.htm National Trust page on Derwent / Howden Moors]

{{coord|53.400|-1.707|scale:20000_region:GB|display=title}}

{{Climbing areas of the Peak District}}
{{Peaks of the Peak District}}

[[Category:Hills and edges of South Yorkshire]]
[[Category:Mountains and hills of the Peak District]]
[[Category:Mountains and hills of Derbyshire]]
[[Category:Climbing areas of England]]
[[Category:Escarpments of England]]