The Crazy Pinnacle – Derbyshire, England - Atlas Obscura
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The Crazy Pinnacle

Derbyshire, England

There's a strange stone hoodoo towering atop a wooded hillside and no one is quite sure how it got there. 

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The Crazy Pinnacle. Paul Glover/CC BY-SA 2.0
The Crazy Pinnacle. Paul Glover/CC BY-SA 2.0
The Crazy Pinnacle. Richard Smith/CC BY SA-2.0
Climber on the original route. Richard Smith/CC BY-SA 2.0
In 2021 the quarry is getting quite overgrown Dr Alan P Newman (Atlas Obscura User)
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Crazy Pinnacle is also known as the Tegness Pinnacle, after the quarry in which it is found near Grindleford, England. What’s crazy about the nearly 30-foot-tall rock formation is that there is absolutely no reason why it should be there. It’s as if a group of quarry workers decided to have a joke and leave the rest of us wondering why they left behind the unusual tower.

The towering slabs of rock are now a climbing site. Local climbers looking to try something a bit different have become particularly fond of the crag. The original route is quite easy and is often climbed solo, but there are a couple of more serious routes for those seeking more of a challenge. If you’re lucky, you might see a proud climber attempting a traditional handstand or headstand at the top.

Apart from the pinnacle, the site also has fantastic views over the Derwent Valley.

Know Before You Go

There is a National Trust parking lot close by. From there follow the obvious path to the north.

quarries rock formations rocks geological oddities geology
Nearby
Toad's Mouth
1.65 miles
St. Martin's Church
2.16 miles
The Round Building
2.25 miles
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