Peak District
Axe Edge Moor
551M
1808FT
About Axe Edge Moor
Rising south-west of Buxton, this vast gritstone plateau offers a wild, windswept contrast to the nearby limestone dales. It is a significant watershed, birthing five major rivers amidst its heather and peat. The summit provides an expansive perspective over the Goyt Valley towards Shining Tor and the distant Cheshire Plain.
Key Statistics
Rank
12th Highest in Peak District
Parent Range
Peak District
Prominence
?
83m
Nearest Town
Burbage
Geology
You are walking on layers of rugged sandstone, siltstone, and mudstone. These durable rocks form the high, wind-swept ridges and steep slopes of the moor.
Find It
OS Grid Reference
SK035706
Latitude
53.2324°N
Longitude
1.9490°W
Did You Know?
- •The moor serves as a major hydrological hub for the Peak District, acting as the primary source for five distinct rivers: the Dove, Manifold, Dane, Wye, and Goyt.
- •The name 'Axe Edge' is likely descriptive, referring to the sharp, steep escarpment on the southeastern side of the moor which resembles the blade of an axe when viewed from the upper Dove valley.
- •At the southwestern foot of the moor lies Three Shire Heads, a scenic series of stone bridges and pools where the borders of Derbyshire, Cheshire, and Staffordshire meet on the River Dane.
- •On a clear day, the summit offers views reaching far beyond the national park, including the landmark white dish of the Lovell Telescope at Jodrell Bank and the distant Clwydian Hills in Wales.
- •The high-altitude Cat and Fiddle nearby transitioned from a famous pub to a distillery, perhaps acknowledging that after navigating the moor's notorious peat hags, walkers require something significantly stronger than a pint of ale.