White Edge
I have to admit that White Edge is possibly my least favourite part of this journey. The view to Big Moor is a dreary moorland and the walk along the edge, or what there is of it, just does not have the excitement of the others. The views along the Derwent Valley, however, are glorious!
Views
The best views of White Edge itself are below it from Froggatt Edge. It is not very high above the surrounding land and has very little exposed gritstone - so it is difficult to find a viewpoint that makes it look particularly dramatic and waiting for great light will reap rewards. As with most of the edges, White Edge faces west, so near sunset is the best time for great lighting. An alternative is to wait for a stormy sky and wait for the sun to break through. That way backdrop will be a dark, dramatic sky which will contrast nicely with the edge itself. This is best in the winter months before the vegetation has grown up and darkened.
(2008-1219) White Edge from Froggatt Edge, March 2008
(2008-1208) Looking north along White Edge
(2008-1215) White Edge
Access and Walking
The National Trust car park (pay and display, or free to NT members) near Wooden Pole on the Longshaw Estate is a good place to start a walk along White Edge. Carefully cross the road to the entrance to White Edge Moor, also National Trust land. You can take the path around the wall and fence (to the left) or straight along the track that leads to White Edge Lodge, originally built as a gamekeeper's cottage as part of the Longshaw Estate but now converted to holiday accomodation. If you follow the latter (recommended) you will need to turn left to follow the path up against a stone wall leading to White Edge and the Hurkling Stone. The path than leads you all the way along White Edge - which runs nearly parallel to Froggatt Edge and Curbar Edge to your right.
(2008-1312) Wooden Pole on the Longshaw Estate, March 2008
There is nothing remarkable about White Edge, particularly compared to the others, but it is a nice walk along a well trodden path. To your left (east) is Big Moor, which is precisely what the name implies. A large, dreary, flat and boggy area of moorland covered in mat grass and heather. The only real feature of note on Big Moor is Barbrook Reservoir, a small reservoir fed by Bar Brook. This defines its recent heritage as it was acquired from Severn Trent Water in 1984. The area is, apparently, a great place to see the UK's only poisonous snake, the adder. It is quite rare to see one as they will hide if human presence is detected - but patience in the spring can be rewarded with witnessing the adders' dance when males compete with each other for females and territory.
(2008-1187) Big Moor
Below White Edge are Froggatt and Curbar Edges and once you reach the cairn that marks the end of White Edge follow the path that leads across the field to Curbar Edge. This path can be very boggy! To return to the Wooden Pole car park walk back along Froggatt Edge, up through Hay Wood and the Longshaw Estate.
Maps and Guides
Ordnance Survey Explorer Map OL24 - The Peak District White Peak Area