Lud's Church Chasm

This challenging circular walk passes through Lud's Church, a deep moss covered chasm penetrating the Millstone Grit bedrock.

How to get there

Leave Buxton on the A53 heading South West heading towards Leek. Follow signs for Flash, leaving the A53 after 4.5 miles. Follow the road round to the left immidately after the church and follow signs for the Gradbach Youth Hostel. The car park about 2 miles after the church.

Walk

1 Leaving the car park follow the road to the right as it ascends gently.

2 You will shortly arrive at the driveway to the youth hostel, for smaller dog who don't mind a squeeze gap, you can descend down the youth hostel driveway and follow the footpath as it meanders along next to the river. For large dogs, you may want to stay on the road heading past the youth hostel, and instead follow the access track at the Scout Camp.

3 Shortly after both routes merge, follow the path heading towards the south. You will cross a small wooden bridge and the path will track up the bank, running parallel to the brook.

4 When you reach the path heading up to your right, follow the signs for Lud's Church.

5 You will eventually reach some stone steps descending down into the Lud's Church chasm. Follow the path as it heads between the rock faces. As you leave the chasm, turn left and follow the well worn path through the woods and follow signs for Gradbach.

6 Following signs for Gradbach, the path will eventually rejoin where the two starting routes merged. Simply retrace your steps back to the car park.

Grid Reference: SJ 998662