Ipstones Edge

Sitting high above the village of Ipstones, this gritstone ridge offers a quieter alternative to the more famous edges of the Dark Peak. The terrain is a mix of rugged moorland and exposed rock, providing commanding views south across the Churnet Valley toward the Weaver Hills and the distant Staffordshire plains.

• •The name derives from the Old English 'Ipan stan', meaning 'Ipa's stone', likely referring to the distinctive gritstone outcrops that served as a landmark for early settlers.
• •The ridge provides a clear vantage point to the north where the jagged silhouettes of The Roaches and Hen Cloud are visible across the moorland.
• •Small-scale quarrying once took place along the edge, with the local gritstone used to build many of the sturdy dry-stone walls and farmhouses in the Churnet Valley.
• •The Staffordshire Way follows the length of the ridge, making it one of the more accessible high points in the southern Peak District compared to the trackless peat of the inner moors.
• •Despite its modest height, the exposed nature of the ridge means that on a typical Staffordshire afternoon, the wind is often the only company you will have.