Lud’s Church is a moss-covered chasm in the western Peak District, formed by a landslip and steeped in history and legend. It served as a secret worship site for the Lollards, a reformist 15th-century religious group percuted by the Catholic Church, and may be named after one of their members or a Walter de Lud-Auk said to be captured during one of their meetings. The haunted ravine is also linked to myth, believed by some to be the inspiration for the Green Chapel in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. Its dramatic, eerie landscape makes it a unique place to visit.
Lud's Church walk details
Easy
01:30
3.3 mi
+/-92m
Why go on this trail?
This Lud’s Church walk is a relatively flat trail treating you to a stroll along the hills, woodlands and diverse wildlife. It joins onto the trail for the Roaches as they often share the same starting point, so you can extend your walk into a long one. There is often an ice-cream van during busy, warm periods. It is a great trail all-year round, and the winter months only enhance the spookiness that makes it a captivating experience. However, the best time to visit is in April when it’s lighter, warmer and the trees are still bare. August is another great time, especially if you plan to include The Roaches, as the vibrant purple heather starts to blossom along the hills.
Preparation
Gear: Wear outdoor gear or comfortable clothing. Waterproof shoes are recommended after extended rain.
Dogs: This trail is very dog-friendly. They can roam freely and been seen far into the distance for most of the walk. Just note that the path has regular footfall so aggressive or poorly behaved dogs will need to stay on the lead.
Terrain
Elevation: The trail starts at a high elevation but is relatively flat with a few short-lived periods of steady decline and incline.
Terrain: Rock and dirt paths.
Stiles: Accessible
Local Amenities
Lud’s Church is a remote location so there aren’t many facilities. Come prepared with your own supplies.
Toilets:
- Roaches Tea Rooms & Restaurant
Places to eat:
- Roaches Tea Rooms & Restaurant
Getting there
Lud’s Church is between Buxton and Leek, below Macclesfield Forest.
By car: Use your GPS or Google Maps to get to Hazelwood Rd,
Leek, ST13 8UQ. There is limited parking on the roadside. During peak times you may need to drive along Clough Head Lane where there are many car spaces including dedicated disabled spots, however this could add 20-40 minutes onto the trip.
Lud's Church walk route
Step 1 - The Roaches hiking area to Lud's church
The corner between Hazelwood Road and Clough Head Lane is the walker’s intersection between The Roaches and Lud’s Church where you can do both walks in a figure of 8 pattern. This is an ideal place to park for both walks, on the roadside just before Hazelwood Road corners to the left.
On the road corner there is a stone wall stile gap next to a ‘Roach End Farm’ sign. Go through the stile gap and then straight down the west-facing path.
After 10 minutes the path splits into two. Keep following the main path straight, ignoring the signed path to Swythamley and Danebridge veering to the left.
After 5 minutes you’ll reach another signpost pointing to Clough Head on the left and Lud’s Church on the right. Ignore and keep going straight on through the stone wall. While you can do a shorter walk to Lud’s Church going right, it’s not quite circular and less scenic, neglecting the stunning hill views this walk offers.
The path takes you along a beautiful hill trail with countryside views towards Macclesfield and Tittesworth reservoir in the southwest edge of the Peak District. The unique rock formations are smaller versions of The Roaches.
After 20 minutes, the hill path bends to the right and you’ll reach a signpost. Take a right turn signed to Lud’s Church. This is where the scene takes a dramatic turn. The space around starts to close in. A line of trees hang over you. The vibe transitions into something a little more spooky, but in the best way possible.
You’ll notice a rocky entrance on your right after a short while, where the wooden fence ends in the picture above. Welcome to Lud’s Church.
Step 2 - Lud's Church
The cave-like entrance takes you down some steps to your left. The passage is filled with stones and high walls covered in moss. It feels noticeably more chilly and eery, maybe that’s just fear. But rest assured, it’s perfectly safe with regular visitors most times of the year.
Walking through Lud’s church only takes ~5 minutes but you can stop to admire the spectacular geology, as well as the history and mythology of the place.
It’s full of random crevices, broken trees from the woodland above and piles of rocks but you can tell this is a place of purpose and secrecy.
There are some steps going back up the other side. Go up and turn left, then follow the path straight on through the woodlands.
Step 3 - Lud's Church woodlands
After 10 minutes of walking on wooden planks, you’ll reach another signpost. Follow the signed path to the left towards Gradbach and Roaches, then right shortly after.
You may notice felled trees along the woods. Staffordshire Wildlife Trust was legally required to cut them due to a disease called phytophthora ramorum which makes them weak and therefore a safety hazard.
After 15 minutes follow the next post signed to The Roaches on your right. All you have to do now is continue out of the woods area and the path takes you on a slightly rocky incline back to the stile gap in step 1.
