The Roaches Walk
The Roaches is a prominent rocky ridge above Leek and Tittesworth Reservoir which, along with Ramshaw Rocks and Hen Cloud, form a gritstone escarpment. It is part of the magnificent Roaches Estate which is owned by the Peak District National Park and managed by the Staffordshire Wildlife Trust. A route map for The Roaches walk is shown below.
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Here is a route map for The Roaches walk.
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The Roaches walks at start at grid reference: 53.156145,-1.99524
The Roaches has something for everyone young and old alike. It’s impressive towering rock faces and wild, colourful heather topped hills means many thousands of people visit and photograph this special place each year.
Our walks at The Roaches start by climbing up through an enchanting forest scattered with huge rocks and boulders. You then climb the steep stone steps to the left of the stone cottage built into the hillside (Rockhall Cottage/the Don Whillans Memorial Hut). At the top you walk along the rocky ridge and the beautiful panorama unfolds. The views across Tittesworth Reservoir are outstanding and very atmospheric. On clear days you can even see as far as Cheshire and Mount Snowdon in Wales.
We have four walks at The Roaches which range from a short 1 mile walk to a more challenging 6 3/4 mile walk. All will give you a strong sense of adventure and some outstanding views. The shorter Roaches walks are great for kids as there are numerous rocks and boulders to climb and some great myths and legends to talk about as you walk. However, please take care as there are also some very steep drops with no protection from the edge!
With the exception of Walk 1, all of our walks go past the tranquil Doxey Pool, a small unassuming body of water that has a rather sinister story behind it. Legend says it is bottomless and lurking beneath the surface is an evil mermaid or ‘Blue Nymph’ called Jenny Greenteeth. It claims she hides in the water waiting to lure children into the pool, for them never to be seen again!
As well as a brilliant walking area, The Roaches is an amazing place for wildlife. It is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and protected both nationally and internationally for its wildlife and rare wild habitats including some wonderful upland moorland and blanket bog. The area forms part of the South Pennine Moor Special Area for Conservation (SAC) and Special Protection Area. Whilst walking, keep an eye out for one of the fastest birds you’ll ever see — the amazing Peregrine. They make their nest on the craggy rock ledges. Other birds you could see include Buzzards, the Curlew, Red Grouse and Tree Pipit.
1. The short Roaches walk
1 mile
This first route is a short but wonderfully adventurous walk around the beautiful rock formations known as The Roaches. You'll start down on the road where you parked, which offers a great view in itself, before climbing up through an enchanting forest full of huge rocks that the kids will love clambering over. There is then a very steep climb up some steps to the top of The Roaches where you'll embark on a glorious loop of walking over and around the hill back to the start point. There are a lot of steep drops all around The Roaches, so please be very careful at all times on this walk. Your phone's GPS readings might be inaccurate, so keep your wits about you when following the route, and stick to the footpaths.
2. A longer Roaches walk
2.5 miles
If you have a bit more time for your adventure in The Roaches, then this second route is a slightly longer walk than the first. It still enjoys the rocky woodland and scramble up the very steep stairs to the top, but this route then heads further along the ridge offering fantastic views before then taking you on a long loop of walking back around towards the start. There are many sheer drops around The Roaches, so please be very careful at all times. The GPS on your phone may be inaccurate at any time, so always be aware of your surroundings when following the route.
3. The Roaches and woodland walk
3.5 miles
This third route is again another extension of the first and second routes, for those of you that have the time to stretch your legs a bit more. This option still enjoys the climb up into the enchanting woodland with its multiple rocks and the steep climb up onto The Roaches. However, after that you'll enjoy a long walk along the ridge of The Roaches with beautiful views to your left before eventually descending down to meet a quiet country lane. You'll then return to the start point with a long and gentle walk along the lane which offers you more wonderful views to your right as you walk. When you're climbing up The Roaches, and when you're walking along the ridge, there are some very steep drops, so please be very careful at all times. Your phone's GPS might be inaccurate, so always be aware of your surroundings when following the route.
4. The Roaches walk including Lud’s Church
6.75 miles
The final route option is an epic adventure for those of you that really want to explore this fascinating area of the Peak District National Park. The walk is basically the same as the third route with the climb up onto, and then along, The Roaches and the gentle quiet country lane walk back with its wonderful views. However, there is then an additional loop of walking that takes you up into the Forest Wood where you'll navigate through Lud's Church which is a wonderful and mystical rock corridor full of deep green colours. This is a long and strenuous walk with lots of climbing so please go prepared. There are also many sheer drops throughout The Roaches, and your phone's GPS could be inaccurate at any time, so please be very careful and aware of your surroundings at all times. Note: If you want a bit more more detail on the first section of the walk as you climb up into The Roaches, use the Walk 1 route map until you get to the top.
