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.
Calculated time: 4h10[?] 
Distance : 11.02km
Vertical gain : 360m
Vertical drop : 357m
Highest point : 498m
Lowest point : 309m 
Difficulty : Average
Back to starting point : Yes
Walking
Area : Peak District 
Location : Leekfrith
Starting point : N 53.15423° / W 1.99211° (D/A) The start is the lane that runs parallel to the south side of the Roaches. To get here turn off the main A53 Leek to Buxton road at Upper Hulme and follow the lane west to the section where parking is permitted. Note that at busy times of the year parking is soon full so an early or late start is probably the best idea. This walk starts from grid ref. SK006618 where a footpath sign on the north side of the road points to the dip between Hen Cloud and the Roaches. Take this path and climb into the col following a wall on your right. At the top, turn left and go through another wall. Continue straight ahead climbing onto the main ridge that forms the Roaches.
(1) The climb is steady and the view improves rapidly soon covering a large part of North Staffordshire, Tittesworth reservoir, the Cloud and parts of Cheshire. This area is very popular with climbers and has gained a following from those who enjoy bouldering. Passing Doxey Pool, the climb is nearly over and quite soon you reach the trig point marking the summit (505m.). Enjoy the view and then continue along the ridge descending to the road at Roach End (grid ref. SJ995644).
(2) Cross the road and bear right descending on the path signed to Lud's Church. At the first junction (grid ref. SJ994649) take the left hand path and this leads through pleasant woodland to Lud's Church. You can explore this rocky chasm although some of the rock is slippery after rain so care in needed when scrambling. After exploring Lud's Church return to the path and continue in westerly direction to walk in a loop back to the main ridge (grid ref. 977653). Turn left and follow the well trodden path following the ridge back to Roach End. Cross the road and retrace your route over the Roaches and back to the start(D/A).
Waypoints :
D/A : km 0 - alt. 323m
1 : km 0.68 - alt. 430m - The Roaches
2 : km 8.01 - alt. 406m - Roach End, cross the road and bear right
D/A : km 11.01 - alt. 326m
This part of Staffordshire offers some superb scenery that is unique to the county. Visitors who are new to area always remark that it does not fit their stereotype of the area and they come away pleased to have made acquaintance with this part of the Staffordshire Moorlands that lies with the Peak District National Park.
Visorando and this author cannot be held responsible in the case of accidents or problems occuring on this walk.
Global average : 4.11/5
Number of opinions : 3
Description quality : 4/5
Routemap quality : 3.67/5
Walk interest : 4.67/5
Global average : 4.33 / 5
Date of walk
: 04/02/19
Description quality
: Very good
Routemap quality
: Good
Walk interest
: Good
Great walk but it was very misty so we missed the views, will be going back when the weather is better.
Thanks Brian for your feedback. Your proposition sounds like a good idea that we are going to consider.
Cheers,
Aurélie - Community manager.
Global average : 3.67 / 5
Date of walk
: 31/12/18
Description quality
: Average
Routemap quality
: Average
Walk interest
: Very good
Perhaps it would be good to put a post code for the starting point as Google maps on iPhones sometimes won’t accept grid references
Global average : 4.33 / 5
Date of walk
: 01/07/18
Description quality
: Good
Routemap quality
: Good
Walk interest
: Very good
7.13km
+192m
-191m
2h35
Easy
Starting point in Leekfrith - Staffordshire 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.
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
-365m
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.
