THE ROACHES AND LUD’S CHURCH
Always fancied venturing to Lud’s Church? This walk offers a quieter alternative route, taking in some of the best sights the Peak District has to offer…
Start: Roaches UKC Parking, ST13 8UA
Distance: 7.7 miles
Duration: 3-4 hours
Elevation: 1,100 feet
Navigation: follow our route here
The Roaches walk usually offers a quieter route up to Lud’s Church, offering the breathtaking views to match. Before approaching The Roaches trig point, you’ll meander through an unusual sandstone landscape that’ll transport you to a time gone-by.
Lud’s Church itself is one the Peak District’s must-see landmarks, and from the moment you step foot into its surrounds, we’re sure you’ll understand why. Pictures definitely don’t do this place justice, so a trip to Lud’s is a must!
The ravine that makes up Lud’s Church is thought to have formed during the post-glacial period —some 11,000 years ago— by a large slip of Roaches Grit: a coarse form of sandstone.
It wasn’t until the 15th century that this place became a popular place to dwell— among a secret community, at least. A group of religious dissenters called the Lollards flocked here to hold covert religious meetings to escape the prosecution of the Catholic Church. It’s thought the name of a man arrested at one of these meetings, Walter de Ludank, inspired the name of the site.
Today, the area provides a dramatic nature walk through the Black Forest, transporting passers-by into old England and its many forgotten tales. You certainly don’t have to stretch your imagination too much to picture this place as the origin of many myths and mysteries.
Over the centuries, its’s been associated with tales of Robin Hood and his Merry Men, who’re thought to have hid here as a place of refuge.
Our route starts in Upper Hulme, first taking you up a fairly steep climb to Hen Cloud. From here, you’ll head up towards The Roaches, strolling along the top of the moorland until you reach woodland that takes you to Lud’s Church.
The Roaches is a 505-metre high ridge that soars above Leek and Tittesworth Reservoir, making for incredible views on a clear day. Surrounding, there’s ample places to explore with lots of diversions for those wanting to spend the day discovering new paths.
With such a variety of landscapes in a relatively short walk, this is definitely one of our favourite walks up north. On a clear day up the ridge, you may even spot Snowdon in the distance.
Sound like your ideal day out? Follow the route here
