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The Roaches is a rocky ridge gritstone escarpment in the Peak District National Park, and this walk takes us above and below it, with an optional scramble thrown in. On our 10 mile trek, expect open moorlands, rolling hills, rocky outcrops and woodland forest trails, as we hike over Hen Cloud, above the Roaches and of course down below into the deep dramatic Lud’s Church chasm.
A wind-carved outcrop of gritstone rocks, the ridge reaches 505m and provides us with spectacular views over Staffordshire, Cheshire, Lancashire, and Wales. It is crowned by a the Doxey Pool, a small body of water, the legendary home to a mythical mermaid.
As we enter and stroll through the woodlands, suddenly the floor appears to open up via steep steps leading down into the rocky labyrinth that is Lud's Church. A mesmerising, mossy cavern nestled in the Back Forest of Staffordshire.
Lud’s Church was likely formed after the last glacial period; created by a landslip in the weak Roaches hillside grit. Hidden away from all except those who are looking for it, this magical place has the feel of a hidden mystical scene from days gone by, with moss and plant-life covering most of its surfaces. 18-metres deep and 100-metres long, the chasm is always cool, even in summer months, which adds to its otherworldly feel.
Lollards were the first worshipers to arrive, followers of religious reformer John Wycliffe, a pre-protestant Christian group, who rejected Catholicism, so were prosecuted as heretics. Forced into hiding, they found refuge in Lud’s Church during the 15th Century. The tranquil, hidden chasm being perfect for worshiping in peace. The name ‘Lud’ possibly derived from Llud, a Celtic god, but more likely from Walter de Lud Auk, a Lollard worshiper, who was captured during a raid of Lud’s Church. His daughter Alice, was killed during the arrest and her ghost is said to haunt the chasm. This legend was commemorated in 1862, when a small figurine was placed above Lud’s Church by landowner, Phillip Broklehurst, in remembrance of "Lady Lud" as Alice became known.
This entrance to a world of mysterious fairy tales, this place features heavily in local folklore, from how Lud’s Church was created by the Devil scraping his finger along the earth’s surface. To the later stories of Robin Hood and Friar Tuck hiding here, as it was said did Bonnie Prince Charlie. Thought also to be the inspiration behind the "The Greene Chapel in the mysterious Medieval poem "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight".


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Perfect way to start your training for a challenge like the 3 Peaks or simply to get out into the countryside, while being sociable.

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