The Roaches and Lud's Church
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Our view
"Legends of Headless Knights and dark chasms –with fabulous views"
Walk directions
From the car park head right on the lane, rising up the hill then forking right down Gradbach Mill’s driveway. At the mill, take a footpath directly opposite the main mill building, bending left and above the mill café. The path descends by a fence then squeezes right through a stile before maintaining its direction on the far side of a wall. This broadens into an access track. At a hairpin bend, leave the track via a wall stile directly ahead.
Turn right on to a path and down to cross a footbridge over the Black Brook. Fork left along the riverbank towards The Roaches. Take the next fork right towards Lud’s Church on a long incline across the woods. Ignore the junction above the footbridge then rise up to a junction by a rocky outcrop.
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Additional information
Terrain
- Rocky moorland paths, forest tracks, occasionally boggy, quiet road
Landscape
- Moor and woodland
Dog friendliness
- Keep on lead on access land
Parking
- Gradbach Staffordshire Wildlife Trust car park (donation requested)
Toilets en route
- None on route
About the walk
The jagged ridge of The Roaches is one of the most popular locations in the Peak District National Park, a magnet for walkers and climbers with good paths, challenging climbs and terrific views from the top. This walk explores a quieter ridge off the northern end, but the panorama is no less...
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Been on this walk?
Send us photos or a comment about this route. Or recommend a route of your own.
Walking in Safety
Read our tips to look after yourself and the environment when following this walk.
Get an AA guide
Explore our range of ‘50 Walks in’ guides - they’re the ideal companion for a ramble.
About the area
Nestled between the Welsh hills and Derbyshire Peaks, the Cheshire plains make an ideal location to take things slow and mess around in boats. Cheshire has more than 200 miles (302 km) of man-made waterways, more than any other county in England.
Nearby places to stay
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Nearby places to stay
Three Horseshoes Country Inn & Spa
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Foxlow Grange by Muse Escapes
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Roseleigh Guest House
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Braemar
Braemar is a long-established, central yet quietly situated Victorian property offering homely and comfortable accommodation. It’s within easy walking distance of the historic towns man...
5 Church Street
Deceptively spacious and light, 5 Church Street is a contemporary re-making of a former cottage on one of Buxton’s oldest streets. It combines traditional character with all the facilit...
5 Church Street
Deceptively spacious and light, 5 Church Street is a contemporary re-making of a former cottage on one of Buxton’s oldest streets. It combines traditional character with all the facilit...
Old Hall Hotel
The Old Hall Hotel in Buxton is reputed to be the oldest in England, with a rich history that dates back thousands of years and features some notable guests, including Mary Queen of Sco...
Places to eat nearby View all
