The edges are 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. 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 a European Directive. The edge is part of the 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.

These pictures are courtesy and copyright of Ricky Clark, opposite is the boggy forest path which guides you to the top, and below left is the paved path at the top, due to the many hundreds of people who now visit these areas of natural beauty, Derbyshire County Council and the Peak District National Park have paved these vulnerable paths to preserve the underlying peat from further erosion. Below right is a typical waterlogged path at the top

Once at the summit you are rewarded with these fantastic views of Ladybower reservoir with Kinder in the distance

On the left is Bleaklow which doesn't look too inviting and more bleak looking moorland on the right, below left looking down the valley and Mam Tor rises up below right

A view of Hope Valley opposite, and views of kinder below.

There are several examples of unusually shaped gritstone tors which have been formed by the actions of wind, rain and frost over the 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 Coach and Horses, the Salt Cellar and the Cakes of Bread which are shown below.

The Coach and Horses (also known as the Wheel Stones and thus named on Ordnance Survey maps) resembles a coach and horses on the horizon when viewed from the A57 road to the south.

An Ordnance Survey column (Trig point) marks the highest point of the Edge at Back Tor at a height of 538 metres (1765 feet) and is probably the best Trig point in the whole peak!. Below left approaching the Trig point on Back Tor and below right a dangerous climb up to the trig point in the very strong winds