The Roaches to Lud's Church — Peak District National Park

A wonderful climb past a haunted mermaid’s pool, rocks that look like crashed spaceships to a fairytale chasm dripping with lush, green moss. “If any of my friends express an interest in hiking, this is the route I always take them on,” says Advnture contributor Claire Maxted. “The ascent up the Roaches is steep but short and interesting, through rocks that are often dangling with climbers. The view is quick to appear and on a clear day you can see for miles in all directions, over Tittesworth Reservoir to the south, the decidedly pointy peaks of Chrome Hill to the east and Shuttlingsloe to the north west (also both well worth a walk). Then you coax your new-to-hiking friend onwards with a series of weirder and weirder natural phenomena: a haunted, bottomless pool, crashed-spaceship rocks and an enchanted, moss-covered gully. They won’t even realise they’ve walked so far!” The road running parallel to The Roaches (south west of them) has marked bays for parking that fill up very quickly so get there early to secure a spot. The hike starts at SK004621, the south-eastern end of The Roaches, to the left of the Don Whillans Hut as you look at it, carved into the very rock itself. Turn left on this path to walk through the forest, then turn right to weave your way steeply up through the rocks to the top. Turn left at to walk the spine of The Roaches. Pass Doxey Pool on your right, scramble over and marvel at the alien spaceship-crashed rocks on your left, descend to the road, then hike over the next hump, turning right on the descent and into the forest for the lush green, moss-covered chasm of Lud’s Church. Follow the path through the forest back to the road, then retrace your steps over The Roaches for another look at all those strange rocks, or simply walk back down the parallel road for the easier option.

Started off pretty miserable. Misty, windy and plenty of drizzle. Brightened up as we headed back from Luds.

If I only use pencil well I would be the same. Its easier for me to paint. Hope to see you up the hills. Enjoy.

I've created a loop around Lud's Church. You can cut out the loop by looking out for the entrance on the right of the path through the woods. I think the more interesting route through the "Church" is to ignore this and approach the ravine from the track across duck boards through the wood. You climb down the steps into cleft and wander through. It's just a different view.

I nearly didn't do this walk after reading reviews about how hard it was and people having to scramble up on all fours etc. i am so glad that i chose to give it a go. OK, so there is a climb to get up there but kids were doing it in pumps and im no spring chicken and i managed with no drama. It is SO worth it. The views are incredible. Its easy walking on well defined paths once you're up. The loop to Luds church is a worthwhile walk in its own right through lovely shady Pine scented forest on easy waymarked paths.

A Peak District classic! Starting at the newly marked parking bays along Roach Road, head up Hen Cloud - be sure to get your pals to run opposited to capture the shots from a distance! Retrace your steps to follow the top along the Roaches. For the first time I discovered the climbers hut and the rock with carved steps. When reaching the crossroads (where you usually find and Ice Cream van) head down into the woods to explore Luds Church. If you exit the far end, you can descend i to the woods and heaf to the Gradbach care for some amazing Pies / Cakes / Coffee. Then head back up through the woods to the crossroads, where you can head back down Roach Road to your vehicle.

What amazing autumnal weather. That 'current bun' did us proud. Loads of mud for all. Bob on!👌 And yes I left komoot running again on drive to pub. Doh!🤣

Followed the route @Terry shared recently - thanks! Though I missed the views this time, will definitely be back 🙂