Roaches - Lud's Church - Wincle - Roaches

Paul John Bridgett

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This walk is something of a trek, though with its own special rewards. The views from the Roaches can, on a clear day, be astounding. Even the Clwydian Hills in Wales can be visible on some occasions. The area is popular and paths across the moor have needed to be paved in some areas to control erosion.

Further along the route the path passes through Lud's Church, a roofless cave, though it is preferred that the alternate route, avoiding the cave, is used, to prevent erosion of this area.

The route through the cave can be wet and muddy even in dry summer conditions. Further along, the route follows a concessionary path, to the 'Hanging Stone', with its carved eulogy to the Swythamley squire's noble mastif 'Burke'.

The pub used is the Ship Inn at Wincle; this is a reasonably walker-friendly pub, though a request is posted for boots to be removed. They have a good-value menu: the trout is particularly good, reputedly from the local trout farm (less than half a mile away). On many visits over the years, they seem to have several frequently changing guest beers and other more standard ales.

The return in contrast includes field-paths and farm tracks, with some short sections of road-walking. Only in one area was it found difficult to locate the path, as the hedge had overgrown the route.

England - Central England - Staffordshire - Peak District

Features

Birds, Flowers, Great Views, Hills or Fells, Nature Trail, Pub, Public Transport, River, Tea Shop, Wildlife, Woodland

4/2/2004 -

Worth taking time out to do this walk during the week and early AM - there was no-one around - absolutely wondeful! Definitely a walk to do again. Thanks.