A Spectacular Short Walk From The Roaches To Lud’s Church

Introduction

Cal and I have been staying at The Three Horseshoes Inn, Blackshaw Moor, Near Leek where we met our friends Chris and Ian who had travelled up from Bedfordshire. The hotel is on the A53 in the shadow of Hen Cloud and the rocky ridge of The Roaches, and is just under an hour’s drive from Cheadle Hulme.

On Monday we woke to a brief spell of sleet / snow. However it was soon a glorious cloud free morning of brilliant sunshine.

As I often walk in this area, I was able to map a route that I hoped would enthral my companions, yet not be too challenging, though I knew the final ascent back to the car would have to be taken steadily!

It’s a 3 mile walk, with 600 feet of total ascent, so can be quite challenging. It took just under 2 hours.

It’s all on well walked paths in areas where dogs can be off the lead, though the second half of the walk, in the wooded areas is pretty muddy.

We parked on Clough Head Road, at the northern end of The Roaches ridge. Use postcode ST13 8TA will get you to Cote Lane from where you continue on up the road, merge with Roach Lane and meet the footpaths by a cattle grid.

The walk is on OS Explorer Map OL24.

We walked clockwise, descending gradually downhill and climbing quite steeply at the end. I would recommend this approach as Lud’s Church is easier if ascended.

The Roaches Ridge

The first section of the walk is a continuation of the high ridge known as The Roaches which comes down to meet the road where we parked.

The weather was spectacular, as we set out after a 10 minute drive from the hotel. On the horizon is the unmistakable outline of Shutlingsloe hill.

The rocky outcrops of the ridge provided great photo opportunities.

To the southwest, Tittesworth Reservoir was shimmering, and distant hills of Shropshire, or perhaps Wales, could be seen.

At the end of the ridge, our path came to a T-junction.

Lud’s Church

We went right, and continued gently downhill, through the heather to a wood, initially comprised of silver birch.

It’s a delightful wood. Where the paths come up the hill from Gradbach, the rocky outcrop is a very popular picnic spot. Cal went off to explore.

We went back onto the high level path. It would be easy to miss the narrow opening on the right hand side.

Over the rocks in front of you, a left turn leads down a short steep section. Careful, folks!

At the bottom, decomposed leaf litter makes the hidden chasm very muddy.

The ground soon begins to rise, and the greenery lining the rock faces appears almost equatorial!

Through Gradbach Wood And Back Up The Hill

After emerging from the chasm, walk boards made progress easy for a little while.

However, they soon ended, and the path became muddy, uphill and fairly difficult. Eventually, it levelled off prior to a short drop downhill.

It was now a long, steady climb back up a good path to the car.

If you’ve never been to Lud’s Church, it’s well worth a visit, either this way, or up from Gradbach. This walk is a lovely introduction t a special area, but is also well capable of extension to Gradbach and the Dane Valley, and/or up over the long ridge of The Roaches.

And Finally….

Last Friday, we visited The Holmfirth Picturedrome to see The Dualers playing their uplifting brand of ska music. A great venue, and band.

This is “Sunny Days”.