Why go
- Lud's Church is a 100-metre-long, 18-metre-deep moss-covered rock chasm formed by an ancient landslip, nothing else in the Peak District looks or feels remotely like it.
- The chasm is cool, dim, and dripping with moss year-round, giving it an atmosphere that rewards the short climb from Gradbach without requiring a serious hike.
- The full circular route extends into the open moorland and ridge above Back Forest, adding panoramic views over the Dane Valley and towards Tittesworth Reservoir.
- Sections inside the chasm and on the approach path become genuinely slippery after rain; sturdy boots are essential and wellies are a sensible choice in autumn and winter.
- The riverside cafe at Gradbach Mill is open Easter to October and sits right on the route, making it a natural refreshment stop before or after visiting the chasm.
Full route
- 1. Exit Roaches Gradbach Car Park and turn right along Gradbach Mill Lane.
- 2. After approximately 200 m, bear right through the iron gates into Gradbach Mill and follow the signed public footpath past the buildings and the riverside cafe.
- 3. Just before the cafe entrance, take the steep steps on the left and follow the dirt path uphill into the woodland.
- 4. Continue along the hillside path heading south through Forest Wood, following signs for Lud's Church.
- 5. Descend the signed diversion on your right to enter Lud's Church at its lower opening; walk through the chasm, using the wooden planks over the muddiest sections, and exit at the upper end.
- 6. Rejoin the main woodland path and follow it as it loops back north through the trees above the River Dane.
- 7. Descend back to Gradbach Mill Lane and return to the car park.
- 1. Exit Roaches Gradbach Car Park and turn right along Gradbach Mill Lane.
- 2. Follow the road and then tracks across the farmland and into Forest Wood, passing Gradbach Mill and the riverside cafe.
- 3. Climb through the woodland heading south and follow the signed diversion into Lud's Church, walking through the full length of the chasm.
- 4. Exit at the top of the chasm and bear left onto the main hillside path, continuing uphill through the trees onto the open moorland ridge above.
- 5. Follow the ridge path with panoramic views over the Dane Valley, heading roughly north-east along the top of Back Forest.
- 6. At the junction with the descent path, turn left and follow the track back downhill through the woodland, across Black Brook.
- 7. Rejoin the riverside path along the River Dane heading west, passing Gradbach Mill, and return along the lane to the car park.
- 1. Start at Roaches Gradbach Car Park and follow the lane and then tracks up through Forest Wood to Lud's Church.
- 2. Walk through Lud's Church and exit at the top, then follow the ridge path south-east onto the high ground above.
- 3. Continue along the open gritstone edge of the Roaches, passing the Don Whilans Memorial Hut, with expansive views east and west.
- 4. Follow the ridge further to Ramshaw Rocks and then descend south towards Hen Cloud.
- 5. Climb Hen Cloud for views back along the Roaches escarpment, then descend north-west on the return leg.
- 6. Cross the moorland and drop back down through fields and woodland towards the Dane Valley.
- 7. Follow the riverside path along the River Dane back to Gradbach Mill and the car park.
Lud’s Church
Lud’s Church is not a building but a vast natural chasm, over 100 metres long and 18 metres deep, sliced through Millstone Grit bedrock by an ancient landslip on the wooded hillside above Gradbach. The walls are perpetually wet and thick with moss, trees cling improbably to the narrow clifftop, and even on the hottest summer day the temperature drops noticeably the moment you step inside. It sits in Back Forest on the south-western fringe of the Peak District National Park, on the border between Staffordshire and Cheshire.
The most popular starting point is Roaches Gradbach Car Park on Gradbach Mill Lane. From there a short road walk leads past the historic 1785 silk mill and the riverside cafe, before a signed woodland path climbs steadily to the chasm entrance. The interior involves some scrambling over wooden planks and rocky steps, and boots are strongly recommended year-round as the mossy stone floor is reliably slippery. The full circular via Back Forest and the ridge above takes around three to three-and-a-half hours and covers 10.5 km; a shorter out-and-back to Lud’s Church and back is doable in under an hour.
The site carries plenty of history and legend. The Lollards, followers of John Wycliffe, are said to have used it as a secret place of worship during religious persecution in the early 15th century, and it has long been linked to the Green Chapel in the medieval poem Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. Birdwatchers should keep an eye out for goldcrests, finches, and peregrines above the gritstone ridges, and a seasonal riverside cafe at Gradbach Mill makes a fine stop before or after the walk.
Reviews
Lovely peaceful walk. I personally do feel like it could be better sign posted and maybe some information about luds church it’s self outside it would be good as other wise it’s a google search to find info. I parked at grandbach car park, I walked right up the road, keep going straight up the road past the cafe and you will eventually see a scout area with a fence on the left and a small path on the right, take the small path and keep walking straight up, you will then see a steep path on your right so go down that an over the bridge an up the steps, turn right again until you get to some rocks, you’ll then see sign posts to turn left for luds church, follow it up and it’s on your right hand side.
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Trail details
The chasm is wet and cool even in summer; paths and the interior become slippery and muddy after rain at any time of year. Arrive early at weekends as the small free car park fills before 9am.
Getting there
Routes
- 1. Exit Roaches Gradbach Car Park and turn right along Gradbach Mill Lane.
- 2. After approximately 200 m, bear right through the iron gates into Gradbach Mill and follow the signed public footpath past the buildings and the riverside cafe.
- 3. Just before the cafe entrance, take the steep steps on the left and follow the dirt path uphill into the woodland.
- 4. Continue along the hillside path heading south through Forest Wood, following signs for Lud's Church.
- 5. Descend the signed diversion on your right to enter Lud's Church at its lower opening; walk through the chasm, using the wooden planks over the muddiest sections, and exit at the upper end.
- 6. Rejoin the main woodland path and follow it as it loops back north through the trees above the River Dane.
- 7. Descend back to Gradbach Mill Lane and return to the car park.
- 1. Exit Roaches Gradbach Car Park and turn right along Gradbach Mill Lane.
- 2. Follow the road and then tracks across the farmland and into Forest Wood, passing Gradbach Mill and the riverside cafe.
- 3. Climb through the woodland heading south and follow the signed diversion into Lud's Church, walking through the full length of the chasm.
- 4. Exit at the top of the chasm and bear left onto the main hillside path, continuing uphill through the trees onto the open moorland ridge above.
- 5. Follow the ridge path with panoramic views over the Dane Valley, heading roughly north-east along the top of Back Forest.
- 6. At the junction with the descent path, turn left and follow the track back downhill through the woodland, across Black Brook.
- 7. Rejoin the riverside path along the River Dane heading west, passing Gradbach Mill, and return along the lane to the car park.
- 1. Start at Roaches Gradbach Car Park and follow the lane and then tracks up through Forest Wood to Lud's Church.
- 2. Walk through Lud's Church and exit at the top, then follow the ridge path south-east onto the high ground above.
- 3. Continue along the open gritstone edge of the Roaches, passing the Don Whilans Memorial Hut, with expansive views east and west.
- 4. Follow the ridge further to Ramshaw Rocks and then descend south towards Hen Cloud.
- 5. Climb Hen Cloud for views back along the Roaches escarpment, then descend north-west on the return leg.
- 6. Cross the moorland and drop back down through fields and woodland towards the Dane Valley.
- 7. Follow the riverside path along the River Dane back to Gradbach Mill and the car park.
Facilities nearby
Business Info
- https://www.alltrails.com/en-gb/trail/england/staffordshire/gradbach-and-lud-s-church-short-circular
- Gradbach Mill Lane, Gradbach, Buxton, SK17 0SU
Features
Tips (0)
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Reviews 5.0 · 5 reviews
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Posted on Google
Lovely peaceful walk. I personally do feel like it could be better sign posted and maybe some information about luds church it’s self outside it would be good as other wise it’s a google search to find info. I parked at grandbach car park, I walked right up the road, keep going straight up the road past the cafe and you will eventually see a scout area with a fence on the left and a small path on the right, take the small path and keep walking straight up, you will then see a steep path on your right so go down that an over the bridge an up the steps, turn right again until you get to some rocks, you’ll then see sign posts to turn left for luds church, follow it up and it’s on your right hand side.
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Posted on Google
Absolutely loved our visit to Lud's Church. Hidden away in the forest, this place genuinely feels like stepping into another world. The moss-covered walls, cool air, and narrow pathways through the chasm make it feel so magical and peaceful. We visited on the hottest day of the year so far and the shaded gorge was the perfect escape after the walk in. The route itself was really enjoyable too, with stepping stones across the river at the start and beautiful woodland scenery the whole way through. I’m definitely a beginner hiker, but the walk was manageable and absolutely worth it for the views and atmosphere once you arrive. Knowing the local legends about Robin Hood and Friar Tuck hiding here made it feel even more special. We finished the day cooling off by the river and grabbing a cold drink nearby such a lovely experience from start to finish. One of the most unique places I’ve visited in the Peak District and somewhere I’d highly recommend visiting if you enjoy nature, history, and hidden gems.
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Posted on Google
Luds Church a natural chasm of 100 meters long and 18 meters deep with moss covered walls that is both Mystical and magical with links to the story of the Green Knight and a 15th century place of of worship of the persecuted religious group known as the Lollards. Sturdy footwear is highly recommended as the Chasm can be damp and muddy. Best parking to be found is at Gradbach which is free but you need to drive past the paid for car park that currently charges £5 a day. From leaving the car park turn right head up the lane where you will come to the entrance to Gradbach Mill, which is being used as a wedding venue, you need to walk down the slope and through the mill and farmhouse grounds where you pick up the sign for Luds Church. It's a lovely walk but there is some steep enclines from the field by the river when entering the woods.. It a really nice walk up through nature where you will be rewarded when you reach Luds Church. Lots of people was walking and if you feel lost or unsure you'll find plenty of people that will give you directions. All in all this is a lovely walk to a very Mystical and magical place. The big bonus its FREE early start would probably ensure you get the limited free parking. Check the pictures below to give you a better idea.
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Posted on Google
Good walk, a lot of uphill. Not one for our friends in a wheelchair. Lots of places to sit and relax in nature on the way but no actual benches etc. Me and my 6 year old managed fine with a slow walk. Max 45 mins from car park to get to Luds Church. Very very muddy when you're actually in there and my son got his shoe stuck in the mud. We're talking The Never Ending Story with with quicksand. Beautiful place to see at least once. Parked at the car park before the one they reccomdend. It cost £5 for the whole day and you're essentially parking on a small field. Lots of space for cars if you don't mind paying.
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Posted on Google
Luds church and the Roaches is well worth the visit, but make sure you get there early to be able to appreciate the quietness and the peacefulness of the walks especially when you get out onto the Roaches it is so quiet all you can hear are the birds and a odd plane. Try and go when its good weather as some parts of the walk are pretty slippy, make sure you take some good walking boots or shoes especially at Luds church as its some 18 metres deep so doesn't get a lot of sun to dry it out. The actual walk to Luds church is pretty easy, but try and print some sort of map off as its not very well signposted and the phone networks aren't very good. we ended up taking the wrong turn, but it didn't matter still made the walks very enjoyable. Try and get there early as Gradbach carpark which is free get full very quickly as there is only enough room for about 15 cars, but there are 2 pay carparks which cost £5 for the whole day with a catering van onsite. It does get very busy here at times. The only toilets are at Gradbach tearooms which are closed during the winter months and reopens April. But on the whole a thoroughly enjoyable walk. Please checkout my pictures which may help for a more enjoyable experience.