Upper Hulme, the Roaches and Lud's Cave

Jim Grindle

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The walk begins beneath Hen Cloud, or if parking is not possible by the roadside, from the village of Upper Hulme. You cannot fail to notice the bright colours of ropes and helmets here as the rocks are normally swarming with climbers. A short rise leads to the pinewoods below the Roaches equally crowded with climbers, before another climb brings you up to the ridge. From here there are views of the huge radio mast on Croker Hill and of Shutlingsloe to the north, while to the south-west you can see clearly the Wrekin and Wenlock Edge, backed by the fainter outline of the Welsh hills.

After crossing a lane, the walk continues on the ridge before a drop and a curve round to the north side of the Roaches. Here you enter woodland and the narrow crack leading into Lud's Church. This landslip was used by various dissenting groups for worship and is reachable today only because so many walkers go there. The exit is even narrower and if you don't spot it, it can make for difficulties.

A woodland walk leads back to the lane, which is followed to a farm and a track over the ridge to the starting point.

England - Central England - Staffordshire - Peak District

Features

Cafe, Great Views, Hills or Fells, Moor, Pub, Tea Shop, Wildlife, Woodland

1/4/2012 - Michael Taylor

Great walk taken on 2.1.12 after a light dusting of snow and with clear blue skies. The views from the ridge are stunning - right over to Jodrell Bank and Shutlingsloe. Dog friendly but, echoing others, very muddy in the latter stages so would advise good boots and waterproofs.

12/13/2011 - Di Farrell

This is a great hike, dog and child friendly as long as the children are reasonably fit. Have done this hike several times now and taken a different person each time and both dobermanns every time. My 8 and 9yr old grandaughters rated it as "the best yet" despite awesome mud in the woods after Luds church!

7/7/2009 - Sharon Stevens

We did this walk in July and it is a fantastic walk. Lud's Church is great but can be very muddy - good shoes / boots needed.

5/26/2009 - Adrian Fieldhouse

Walked on 25 May 2009 - Mum, Dad and 12 and 10 year olds. This is a great walk and one that all of the family really enjoyed. It has varied scenery and terrain and at no point is it dull. The section around the highest point on the Roaches is a great spot to stop for lunch with fabulous views across Staffordshire, Tittesworth reservoir and towards Macclesfield. Luds Church is well worth the effort. My 10 year old son thought it was like an adventure - only word of caution is that it is very wet and very damp so take care.

Overall the walk is very well described with clear instructions. Only two points to note. Firstly, many of the stiles on the opening part of the walk have now been converted to gates but they are exactly where the walk says they should be. Secondly, dont be too concerned about the accuracy of the distances - some were shorter some longer but just follow the instructions and you cannot go wrong. Many thanks to the folks who posted this, we will definitely do this walk again.

3/26/2002 - Phil Getliffe

A lovely walk on a crisp sunny spring day. Lud's Church is eerily silent but worth the visit. The bacon butty at the Tea Room is also top class!!