The Roaches and Lud's Church
Two of the most distinctive bits of the whole Peak District back to back. The Roaches ridge has proper exposure and Lud's Church is one of those places that makes you stop and look twice.
Effort: Good distance, solid climb
Underfoot: Some uneven or off-path ground
E3·T2 — how we grade routesMostly runnable, with some steep sections you'll likely walk.
A gritstone circuit in the Staffordshire Peak District linking the dramatic rock escarpment of The Roaches with the hidden chasm of Lud's Church. Vivid terrain packed into 12km.
Two of the most distinctive bits of the whole Peak District back to back. The Roaches ridge has proper exposure and Lud's Church is one of those places that makes you stop and look twice.
The route
From roadside parking on Roach Road, the route climbs onto the Roaches escarpment — a gritstone ridge with big views west to Cheshire and east across the Staffordshire moorlands. Descending through moorland, the route enters the narrow chasm of Lud's Church: a natural moss-covered gorge carved into the millstone grit.
Lud's Church
Not a church — a deep natural cleft in the gritstone formed by a landslip. Up to 18m deep, 100m long, and perpetually damp. Local legend links it to the Green Chapel in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. One of the stranger places in England.
Rocky and slippery on the Roaches escarpment when wet. Steep descent into Lud's Church. The gorge is narrow with loose rock on the sides.
Summits on this route
Leave No Trace
- Leave nothing but footprints, take nothing but memories.
- Please respect the countryside and all its inhabitants.
- Dogs on leads near livestock, and around ground-nesting birds from March to July.
- Gates as you find them — open or closed, leave it that way for the farmer and the next runner.
- Take it all home — wrappers, peel, tissue, the lot. It doesn't count as biodegradable if you can still see it.
- Stick to the path where the ground either side is wet, planted, or nesting habitat.
Common questions
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