The Roaches are a dominant feature of the North Staffordshire landscape and this walk provides a perfect introduction to this rugged area. An integral part of the Peak District National Park, this gritstone edge has superb views over the surrounding area.
Calculated time: 2h35[?] 
Distance : 7.13km
Vertical gain : 192m
Vertical drop : 191m
Highest point : 499m
Lowest point : 322m 
Difficulty : Easy
Back to starting point : Yes
Walking
Area : Peak District 
Location : Leekfrith
Starting point : N 53.15423° / W 1.99217° To reach the start leave the A53 Leek to Buxton road at Upper Hulme and follow the narrow lane that runs roughly northwest parallel to the Roaches. Parking is permitted on the roadside although there have been periods when a park and ride system has been in operation (check with the tourist office in Leek for up-to-date information). Ideally you need to park as near as possible to grid ref. SK006618 (opposite the col between Hen Cloud and The Roaches) adjacent to the footpath sign on the north side of the lane. If this is not possible then alternative parking along the lane will have to be used and on busy days this soon gets full.
(D/A) After parking follow the footpath and climb steadily to the col. You reach a cross path linking Hen Cloud to the right with the Roaches on your left. Turn left and cross the grass to reach another path junction on the opposite of a wall (grid ref. SK006621). Turn right onto this path as it shadows the wall on your right. The path is easy to follow in the early stages although some careful navigation is required in the latter stages to bring you out onto a tamac lane (grid ref. SK012632).
(1) Turn left and follow this quiet lane enjoying views to the right that include the village of Flash (the highest village in Staffordshire), the North Staffordshire Moors, parts of Derbyshire and some of the high ground of Cheshire including Shutlingsloe (affectionately known as the Cheshire Matterhorn). Stay on the lane for just over 2 kilometres until you reach Roach End (grid ref. SJ995644).
(2) Leave the lane and turn left onto the partially flagged path that leads up to the Roaches. The going is easy and you soon are able to enjoy a wide panorama across Staffordshire and parts of lowland Cheshire.
Continue on the main path to reach the trig point from where you are able to enjoy the widest panorama of the walk. Having enjoyed the view continue southeast descending slowly across the moor. To your left are the gritstone crags that offer some excellent climbing. You may even see the odd head suddenly appear over a crag as a climber eases himself off his route on to level ground.
In places there is a choice of path. The choice is yours as they all eventually lead back to the col visited in the early stages of the walk. Reaching the wall (grid ref. SK006621) turn right and follow the path back to the lane where you have parked (D/A).
Waypoints :
D/A : km 0 - alt. 322m
1 : km 1.64 - alt. 376m - Turn left
2 : km 4.06 - alt. 412m - Roach End : turn left
D/A : km 7.13 - alt. 323m
The Roaches are one of the dominant features of the North Staffordshire landscape especially those travelling between Leek and Buxton across the moors. A jagged escarpment of gritstone the edge offers superb views across north Staffordshire, glimpses of Derbyshire and a long distance view of the Cheshire plain. This walk offers an excellent introduction to the area so choose your day carefully and make sure the weather does not spoil those views.
Visorando and this author cannot be held responsible in the case of accidents or problems occuring on this walk.
Global average : 4.22/5
Number of opinions : 3
Description quality : 4/5
Routemap quality : 4.33/5
Walk interest : 4.33/5
Global average : 3.67 / 5
Date of walk
: 24/02/19
Description quality
: Good
Routemap quality
: Good
Walk interest
: Average
We did the walk in reverse, i.e. out along the Roaches ridge and back along the road. The weather was a bit hazy, but warm for February so the rocks were busy with climbers. The walk along the ridge is the best bit, the road is easier, but not so enjoyable.
Directions were easy to follow, even in reverse as the path is quite well defined. There is an opportunity to cut a corner off at the first/last section of road by following a public footpath. We took exactly two hours.
Note that at the moment walkers are being asked to keep off fire-damaged areas.
Global average : 4 / 5
Date of walk
: 28/01/19
Description quality
: Average
Routemap quality
: Good
Walk interest
: Very good
it was a good walk - we cut it short owing to mud mist and tiredness - some bits were a bit steeper than expected - but still enjoyable - the walk was said to be 6 miles - but we did 6 miles and turned around at roaches end - so maybe if we had gone to lud s church it would have been longer than predicted but not sure?
thanks for the map etc - v good
andrew
Global average : 5 / 5
Date of walk
: 02/07/18
Description quality
: Very good
Routemap quality
: Very good
Walk interest
: Very good
A nice walk, I found it easy to follow without having to check the map. I went on an overcast day which made it quite comfortable, I can imagine it could be very hot on a sunny day as the walk is exposed the whole way.
11.02km
+360m
-357m
4h10
Average
Starting point in Leekfrith - Staffordshire The Roaches are a popular place to walk offering dramatic views in this part of North Staffordshire. This walk includes Lud's Church a deep chasm that has some interesting historical connections.
11.31km
+323m
-316m
4h10
Average
Starting point in Leekfrith - Staffordshire This North Staffordshire walk starts from Tittesworth Reservoir and climbs onto the Roaches, a popular rocky escarpment in the Peak District National Park. The return includes the summit of Hen Cloud before crossing typical Staffordshire countryside.
13.14km
+371m
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4h50
Average
Starting point in Quarnford - Staffordshire A Peak District walk that includes counties - Staffordshire, Derbyshire and Cheshire. The route uses a mixture of paths, tracks and minor roads and also includes a section of the Dane Valley Way.
6.8km
+186m
-175m
2h30
Easy
Starting point in Macclesfield Forest and Wildboarclough - Cheshire This Peak District walk explores the quieter side of the Staffordshire Roaches visiting the rocky cleft of Lud's Church before exploring the moorland and woodland of Back Forest. The views into Cheshire are excellent. Route finding is fine provided you take care when descending from Roach End.
15.53km
+324m
-323m
5h20
Average
Starting point in Macclesfield Forest and Wildboarclough - Cheshire An exploration of northern Staffordshire that is rarely walked.
8.76km
+213m
-190m
3h05
Average
Starting point in Macclesfield Forest and Wildboarclough - Cheshire A Staffordshire walk that explores the valleys and high ground to the west of the Roaches.
11.2km
+211m
-209m
3h50
Average
Starting point in Macclesfield Forest and Wildboarclough - Cheshire A Peak District walk full of interest that visits Staffordshire, Cheshire and Derbyshire. The route is generally easy to follow and the highlights are the packhorse bridges at Three Shires Head, the quarries at Danebower and some excellent panoramas.
8.19km
+184m
-192m
2h50
Average
Starting point in Rushton (Staffordshire) - Staffordshire This North Staffordshire linear walk starts in the village of Rushton Spencer near Leek and follows the Staffordshire Way to the summit of the Cloud. This local landmark offers some wonderful views across north Cheshire and north Staffordshire.
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The GPS track and description are the property of the author.
