High on the list of the best Peak District walks, this 6-mile route takes you to the mythical depths of Lud’s Church, though the ancient Forest Wood and to the summit of The Roaches, a rugged gritstone escarpment overlooking Leek in the Staffordshire Peak District.
Lud’s Church Car Park: Gradbach car park, SK17 0SU
What 3 Words for Lud’s Church: ///profited.already.connected
Distance: Approx. 6 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation: 490m
Time: Approx. 3.5 – 4.5 hours (return walk)
Forest Wood and Lud’s Church Walk
From Gradbach car park (before Gradbach Mill), turn right onto the narrow road that leads up to Gradbach Mill.
Follow the road through the mill grounds and opposite you’ll see a sign for Lud’s Church. Walk along the path, past the coffee cabin and along the banks of the River Dane. The path starts to get quite boggy here, especially after heavy rainfall, so make sure you have waterproof boots.
You soon reach a footbridge, which you will cross. Leaving the river behind, follow the sign straight ahead and begin your walk through Forest Wood. Autumn is my favourite tie of year to do this wonderful nature walk as the trees are vibrant oranges and yellows and the river is usually in full flow.
As you follow the woodland trail, up a series of large stone steps, you’ll come across the most beautiful trees with huge roots – be careful as you walk as they’re easy to stumble over.
At the top of the steps, take a right and continue the gentle ascent above the river.
Keep following the signs to Lud’s Church as you head deeper into the peaceful forest. The path is fairly well defined.
After approximately one mile, you reach the steps on your right that lead you down into the mossy chasm that is Lud’s Church in the Peak District. You will know when you see them! They are quite large stone steps that can become very slippery when wet so take care.
Lud’s Church
Make your way down into this magnificent gorge, steeped in myths and legends that add to its intrigue. There are so many mossy nooks and crannies to explore, and you feel like you’ve stepped into an ancient history book. It is said to have been a hidden place of worship for the Lollards (a pre-Reformation religious sect) in the 15th century, and local legend claims it is where Sir Gawain encountered the Green Knight in the Arthurian epic.
The impressive 18-meter-deep chasm, carved by a landslip, retains a chilling, almost subterranean atmosphere. Even on the brightest summer day, the sunlight struggles to penetrate the mossy, narrow gorge, creating an ethereal green glow.
Forest Wood to The Roaches
Exit Lud’s Church from the opposite side from where you entered and climb up the stone steps, back into Forest Wood.
Follow the forest trail straight ahead and walk along the wooden boardwalk. There are several fabulous viewpoints along the way that look out over the hillsides.
After about a mile, you come to a clearing with another signpost in front of some huge trees. Take a right here, down then up some steps that begin to lead you out from the woodland.
As you ascend, leaving the forest, look behind you to see expanding views over to Shuttlingsloe, Birchenclough Hill and Whetstone Ridge.
Following the stone wall on your left, pass through a tiny gate (I’m sure this was only designed for extremely slender walkers!), before cutting through the narrow gap in the wall immediately on your left.
Cross the road and follow the path uphill towards the Roaches. This is a steady climb but there are plenty of views to enjoy along the way.
As you gain height, look back to see the patchwork fields of the Staffordshire moorlands stretching out behind you. This stretch soon leads you to the famous gritstone escarpment, known as The Roaches.
The Roaches Ridge Walk
As you head along the stone paving on The Roaches walk, stop to explore the sculpted rock formations and weathered crags where you can soak up the panoramic views across Tittesworth Reservoir to the west and the rolling hills of the central Peak District to the east. Take your time to appreciate this geological theatre, looking out over landscapes carved by millennia of wind and ice.
Conclude The Roaches Walk and Return to Gradbach Car Park
There are several routes that either take you on longer circular trails that lead back to the car park, or you can return the way you came. I made my way back to Forest Wood and took the lower trail that takes you back to the first bridge that crosses the river.
Watch the Lud’s Church and the Roaches video.
If you loved this routeand would like to explore more of the Peak District, Mam Tor from Castleon is another fabulous walk that’s worth doing.
