The Roaches and Lud’s Church
Staffordshire
The Roaches and Lud's Church links the dramatic gritstone escarpment on the western fringe of the Peak District with one of England's most extraordinary natural features — a 100-metre-long, 18-metre-deep chasm hidden in the forest below. The 12 km circular follows Roach Road to the escarpment, climbs onto the ridge past Doxey Pool and the main rocky outcrops at 505 metres, then descends steeply into Back Forest to pass through the moss-covered walls of Lud's Church, a massive ancient landslip in the millstone grit widely considered an inspiration for the Green Chapel in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. The return crosses field paths back to the start. The contrast between the open, wind-scoured ridge and the dark, dripping silence of the chasm makes this one of the most varied walks in the Staffordshire Moorlands.
Dogs find this a richly rewarding dog friendly walk with two entirely different sensory worlds. The ridge section offers open running on heather and gritstone with the resinous scent of bilberry carrying on the breeze, while the descent into Lud's Church brings cold, still air thick with damp moss and ancient stone. Off-lead potential is moderate — the ridge and forest sections allow freedom, but leads are needed near sheep grazing at both ends of the route. Water is limited on the ridge, so carry your own; the River Dane near Gradbach at the forest end provides drinking and paddling if you extend the circuit that way. The 479-metre elevation gain and rocky paths suit dogs with confidence on uneven ground.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 12.0 km (7.5 miles)
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Duration
- 3 hr 30 min
- Walk Type
- Moorland, Historic
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Moderate
- Livestock Risk
- Moderate
- Facilities
- Roaches Tea Room at ST13 8TY; no toilets on route; occasional ice cream van on Roach Road at weekends
- Parking
- Free roadside parking on Roach Road near Roach End, ST13 8TY; or Clough Head Lane layby, ST13 8UQ for a Lud's Church-first approach. Fills quickly at weekends
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Roaches and Lud's Church dog friendly?
The Roaches and Lud's Church scores a strong 9 out of 10 for dog friendliness, and it's easy to see why , the route offers two genuinely different experiences for dogs, from open heather and gritstone on the ridge to the cool, moss-draped stillness of Lud's Church below. The varied terrain, interesting scents, and natural water source near Gradbach make it a richly rewarding day out for most dogs.
Can dogs be off lead at The Roaches and Lud's Church?
Off-lead potential is moderate overall. The ridge and forest sections give dogs good freedom to roam, but leads are needed near sheep grazing at both ends of the route, so you'll want to be ready to clip on and off as conditions change.
What should I know before visiting The Roaches and Lud's Church with my dog?
The 479-metre elevation gain and rocky paths mean this walk is best suited to dogs that are comfortable on uneven ground. Water is scarce on the ridge itself, so bring plenty with you , though if you extend the circuit towards Gradbach, the River Dane offers a chance to drink and paddle. Parking on Roach Road fills quickly at weekends, so an early start is a good idea.
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