The Roaches and Lud’s Church

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.