The valley is about two miles long and this section, looking up the valley, is a short way beyond the car park, tea rooms and information centre.

Further up the valley and the surroundings begin to take on a more dramatic appearance. The rocks making up The Long Mynd are pre-cambrian and are among some of the oldest rocks in the country. The valley itself was formed during the last ice age.

This section is just below the point at which the valley divides into two; both parts of which lead up to the top of the Long Mynd ridge.

Looking down from the top of The Long Mynd into the top end of Cardingmill Valley. Church Stretton can be seen in the distance, below the valley, together with Caer Caradoc on the far side of the town. The highest part of The Long Mynd is just over 1670 feet at Pole Bank.