The Carboniferous limestone rocks of all the dales in the White Peak were formed 350 million years ago from the shells and sediments of a tropical sea.

The remains of Cowdale quarry's 19th-century buildings and lime kilns are high up on the south slope.

Topley Pike limestone quarry is on the south side of the Wye Valley opposite Woo Dale and close to the hamlet of King Sterndale.

Thirst House Cave in Deep Dale is 58 m (190 ft) long and in the late 19th-century a bear's skull and Roman artefacts were discovered there.

[9] The Monsal Trail bridleway runs for 8.5 miles (13.7 km) from Topley Pike Junction (at the head of Chee Dale) past Bakewell to Rowsley, along the disused Midland Railway line.

Miller's Dale's main landmarks are the twin railway viaducts, built in 1866 and 1905 to carry four lines.

[12] Monk's Dale (named after the monastic grange set up there by Lenton Priory) on the north side is a secluded steep valley.

[15] The Wye Valley then becomes Upperdale with Hay Dale on the north side before the river reaches Monsal Head.

[16] Fin Cop hill overlooks Monsal Dale and its Iron Age hillfort is a Scheduled Monument.

The Wye Valley Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) runs for over 9 miles (14 km) east of Buxton.

These dales contain ancient ash and wych elm woodland, with areas of yew and rock whitebeam trees.

[18] Deep Dale and Topley Pike is a protected nature reserve (looked after by the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust) and is also a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).