Panoramic views from the Roaches and Lud's Church hike in Peak District, England
Panoramic views from the Roaches and Lud's Church hike in Peak District, England

The Roaches Walk and Lud's Church

Peak District
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Panoramic view of The Roaches and Lud's Church Hike in Peak District, EnglandParking beneath Hen Cloud on The Roaches and Lud's Church Hike in Peak District, EnglandSignpost to the trailhead of The Roaches and Lud's Church Hike in Peak District, EnglandBeneath the crags on The Roaches and Lud's Church Hike in Peak District, EnglandDoxey Pool on The Roaches and Lud's Church Hike in Peak District, EnglandTrig Point view on The Roaches and Lud's Church Hike in Peak District, EnglandCattle on The Roaches and Lud's Church Hike in Peak District, EnglandLud's Church on The Roaches and Lud's Church Hike in Peak District, EnglandInside of the Robin Hood hideaway on The Roaches and Lud's Church Hike in Peak District, EnglandThe quiet road back to the trailhead on The Roaches and Lud's Church Hike in Peak District, EnglandSunset on The Roaches and Lud's Church Hike in Peak District, EnglandLooking back to Hen Cloud on The Roaches and Lud's Church Hike in Peak District, EnglandFell runner on the footpath to Danesbridge on The Roaches and Lud's Church Hike in Peak District, EnglandView from the Climbers Hut on The Roaches and Lud's Church Hike in Peak District, EnglandGrassy track of The Roaches and Lud's Church Hike in Peak District, England

The Roaches Walk and Lud's Church

Distance: 7.1mi
Elevation: 1,230ft
Time: 3-4.5h

Difficulty Rating:

User Ratings:
9.6 Overall Rating
Technical Difficulty
Physical Difficulty

The Roaches Walk to Lud’s Church offers something different to the other Peak District walks and is usually quieter than popular parts of the Dark Peaks in holiday periods. With an unusual sandstone landscape, timeless woodlands and breathtaking views, it is no wonder it has inspired many famous tales and British climbing legends.

The Roaches Walk and Lud's Church Map

Getting there

If driving to the Roaches Walk trailhead, take the A53 from Buxton and turn off at Upper Hulme. Drive through Upper Hulme and the parking area will be less than 1.2mi on your right, beneath Rockhall cottage.

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About

When to do

All Year

Backcountry Campsites

Yes. Homestead Farm Campsite, Upper Hulme.

Toilets

No

Family friendly

No

Route Signage

Average

Crowd Levels

Moderate

Route Type

Circuit


The Roaches Walk and Lud's Church
Elevation Graph


The Roaches Walk Description

The Roaches and Lud’s Church walk begins at the saddle between Hen Cloud and The Roaches. Walk to the start point from the suggested parking spot, (beneath Rock Hall Cottage) and cross the fence at the signposted stile. Continue in the direction of Hen Cloud and follow the wall uphill, keeping it on your right.

At a gate in this wall turn left and follow the trod across the field to another gate. Continue through this gate and onto a rocky track where you will begin a short uphill climb. Look out for nesting Peregrine Falcons on top of the crags.

At the crest of the climb, you will come to a set of stone gateposts. Pass through them and continue right along a well-defined track with rock faces to your right and woodland below on your left. Don’t forget to take in the views of Tittesworth Reservoir and Hen Cloud.

Continuing the Roaches Walk, your path will eventually veer left and continue uphill through a gap in a section of boulders. Once through the gap, turn left and continue uphill following the ridge to the Doxley Pool. It is best to take the left path around Doxley Pool and continue onwards to the short, stone trig point pillar (1657ft) and then down to Roach End.

At Roach End, you will come to a minor road. Cross straight over following the signpost to Lud’s Church and Danebridge. Go through a gap in the wall and over a stile. Make sure to take the right-hand fork of the path.

After a km or so of following this track (there is a wall to your left most of the way), you will come to a crossroad. Go straight ahead here, up onto a rocky outcrop and continue following the track signed to Gradbach. This path contours around to the right and then into Gradbach Wood. It can get quite muddy along this track in wet weather so be prepared.

This path leads you right past Lud’s Church, an impressive natural cleft in the bedrock that reaches 49ft high and stretches into the hillside.

After leaving Lud’s Church, go back onto the main Gradbach wood path and follow it west in the direction of Roach End. This is an undulating path that runs parallel to—but well above—the Black Brook. Eventually, you will reach a paved path that climbs away from the brook and out of the woodland where you will emerge at Roach End.

From Roach End it is an easy downward amble along the tarmac road back to where you parked. Tittesworth reservoir will be in clear sight ahead of you.

Walking Route Highlights

The Roaches

The Roaches is an iconic Peak District destination, a rocky ridge that rises steeply to 1657ft, towering over the Tittesworth Reservoir. The name ‘Roaches’ comes from the French word ‘roches’, meaning ‘rocks’, and the Roaches’ distinctive crags have attracted hikers throughout the ages. Sculpted by the elements, these unusual rocks are the subjects of many ancient legends.

One of the most famous of these local legends is the sinister story of Doxley Pool, a small dark lake that sits in a hollow close to the top of the Roaches. According to local myth, the pool is inhabited by a fearsome water spirit, an evil mermaid named Jenny Greenteeth, who may trap unsuspecting hikers. Some still say that they can hear her singing through the mists that linger over the top of the ridge.

Although you’re unlikely to see a mermaid, the Roaches will fill you with a sense of eerie wonder and mystery. The strange and beautiful shapes created by the rocks have an otherworldly quality, making this a really special place for a day’s walk.

Lud’s Church

Lud’s Church is one of the highlights of this walk – an atmospheric, moss-covered chasm that hides plenty of secrets. The walls of the rock on either side stretch 59ft up in the air, and are coated in sweet-smelling, vivid green moss. Lud’s Church offers the perfect contrast to the rocky, open ridge of the Roaches, and for a brief moment on your walk, will transport you to another world.

Lud’s Church boasts a fascinating history, and over the centuries it has sheltered religious dissidents and political outlaws. In the 15th century, the Lollard followers of John Wycliffe used the chasm as a hiding place and a secret place of worship, hoping to avoid religious persecution. According to local legend, Lud’s Church was also once used as a hideout by Robin Hood and his loyal follower, Friar Tuck. Another medieval myth even states that the chasm was created by the devil himself and represents the traces of his fingernail as he scraped his hand over the earth.

Lud’s Church stretches only for 328ft, and constitutes only a brief moment on this glorious Peak District walk. However, we think it’s one of the most memorable parts of the trail, and a fascinating way to learn about the rich mythology of the Peaks.

Hen Cloud

If you’ve got the energy and want to extend the walk to the summit of Hen Cloud, don’t miss the Bawdstone. This enormous boulder is perched precariously on three rocks near to Hen Cloud and it is thought to have healing powers. Visitors should simply touch the stone, or crawl underneath it – a practice thought to get the devil off your back.

This impressive natural sight was once thought by local Christians to have pagan associations. As a result, they decided to paint it white each year, to ward off evil spirits. The practice has now stopped, but you may still find traces of paint on the Bawdstone. The views from Hen Cloud are some of the best in the region, offering a spectacular panorama that extends all the way to the neighboring counties.

Insider Hints

  • On a sunny and calm day the top of the roaches makes for an exciting picnic spot. Not only can you bask on boulders and admire the panoramic views but also you can goggle at the climbers on the crags above you.

  • If you are feeling energetic consider extending your hike by a couple of km’s to include a summit of Hen Cloud.

  • Reward yourself at the Roaches Tea Room, which offers the best views of the valley. Try the Staffordshire Oatcakes or indulge in an English Cream Tea.

Comments

callumwalsh14 2 years ago

Enjoyed the walk, great views - not difficult to get too! Would recommend to all walkers

8.0 Overall Rating
Technical Difficulty
Physical Difficulty
3h 30m Time Taken
swedishfireball 3 years ago

Hidden gem! Unreal views.

10.0 Overall Rating
Technical Difficulty
Physical Difficulty
3h 37m Time Taken
tjqm86 3 years ago

8.0 Overall Rating
Technical Difficulty
Physical Difficulty
4h 00m Time Taken
peovereye 3 years ago

Brilliant circular walk with great views if you can't get to the lakes this is nearly as good

9.0 Overall Rating
Technical Difficulty
Physical Difficulty
3h 00m Time Taken
Karl 4 years ago

Enjoyable walk. Some nice level areas to even out the burn that comes with a climb. Lud's church is extremely muddy and looks like a perennial problem. Park on Roach Road but be aware of the restrictions on some parts of the road.

olivia1973 4 years ago

Anyone got a postcode for the car park please

SarahandAsh 4 years ago

Absolutely amazing views, would recommend to anyone!!

7.0 Overall Rating
Technical Difficulty
Physical Difficulty
aghitica 4 years ago

Where can you park near the start of this trail please? Postcode if possible.

priya_ahuja 4 years ago

Can't believe this place isn't busier. It's such a neat hike, not too long or hard.

AuroraG. 4 years ago

Bewildering views of woodland and landscapes!

10.0 Overall Rating
Technical Difficulty
Physical Difficulty
57 Comments Show all

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