Lud’s Church Walk (+ River Dane) From Gradbach | 6-Mile Route

Here’s the perfect Lud’s Church walk for a morning, afternoon or evening adventure in the Peak District. This 6-mile route includes the popular hidden gem Lud’s Church, (a chasm not an actual church). It also has beautiful views towards the Roaches, then on to the Hanging Stone before exploring woodlands and looping down alongside the River Dane. 

From Gradbach, you head along a track through the woods, across Black Brook and up to explore Lud’s Church. From here, you walk along the boarded section of footpaths then head uphill to the footpath on the ridge above. 

The walk heads across the top to explore the Hanging Stone before descending down along a track, then through woodlands, with plenty of bluebells in springtime, and down to the River Dane. You follow the footpath as it winds alongside the river and finally reach Gradbach Mill, a perfect place to stop for refreshments before you head back to the car park.

Here you will find details on how to get to the start of the walk at Gradbach, route information, a map, a GPX file, plus a detailed step-by-step guide of the walk.

Fancy a longer walk? Check out our 10-mile Lud’s Church and The Roaches walk

Let me know in the comments if you’ve done this Lud’s Church walk and what you think!

Buy a printable/downloadable PDF route guide for the walk here. 

Printable PDF Guide

Lud’s Church Walk from Gradbach

gpx file

Lud’s Church walk map

© Crown copyright and database rights (2024) OS 002572460

Lud's Church patch

Lud's Church is a wonderful hidden spot in the Peak District. Our patch captures the view exploring Lud's Church.

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Walk start point

Start grid reference: SJ 99899 66198

Car parking address: The Roaches car park, Gradbach, SK17 0SU

The car park at Gradbach is a small free car park for up to about 20 cars. If possible, arrive early during peak times to guarantee a space. Please note there is no additional parking on the roads due to the narrow lanes leading up to the car park.

Greensytch Farm has car parking available for £10*, signposted further round from the car park. *Correct at the time of writing.

Public transport

There are no public transport options available for the start location at Gradbach. The nearest train station is Buxton train station (7 miles/12 km).

Facilities on the walk

There are no public toilets available at the start of the walk at Gradbach or the rest of the walk.

Following your walk, the nearest pubs to Gradbach are the Rose and Crown at Allgreave (2.3 miles/6-minute drive) or in the opposite direction the New Inn at Flash (2.1 miles/5-minute drive).

There’s also a cafe at Gradbach Mill, which you walk past at the end of your walk.

Other useful information

Lud’s Church can get muddy, so hiking boots or wellies are recommended. The route is signposted in some places, but I would always recommend you take a map and compass (see below).

Would you know what to do in an emergency situation?

We have a guide with what to do, who you need to call and also some useful kit that should be in your backpack. Ask us any questions in the comments or via our social media.

Happy hiking + stay safe

read here

Peak District weather

Check the weather for your walk location and hills

• BBC Weather for Flash (the highest village in Britain)
• Met Office weather for The Roaches (nearest summit)
• Met Office weather and/or MWIS (Mountain weather information service) for the Peak District

Ordnance Survey walk map

The map required for this walk is the Ordnance Survey OL24 – Peak District (White Peak Area). Check prices here with Ordnance Survey or Amazon. If you’re hiking in all weather the Active OS maps are pretty good to have.

View both Peak District map options here.

And don’t forget your compass, I recommend the Silva Expedition or the Silva Classic compass.

For online maps, I recommend OS Online App (I have been using it for many years and it is worth getting if you want to start walking more). Check prices here for the one-month or annual option with OS Online App. All the walks on the website are created using OS Maps Online + you can download them to the OS Maps App.

See both maps that cover the Peak District here.

Lud’s Church walk route

Buy a printable/downloadable PDF route guide for the walk here. 

Printable PDF Guide

Stage 1 – Gradbach to Lud’s Church

Distance: 1.3 miles/2.1 km

Grid reference SJ 99899 66198

From ‘The Roaches car park’ turn right and walk up the road (watch out for traffic), and continue walking past the stone gates for Gradbach Mill (the route returns this way). On your right, you’ll walk past some houses and Gradbach Scout Camp but keep heading up the road. It then turns into a rocky track which now turns downhill through Gradbach Wood to Black Brook.

Use the stones to cross the water then turn right and take the footpath heading uphill signposted Lud’s Church. The path continues uphill through Forest Wood until you reach a large rocky outcrop. A fun place to explore if you enjoy scrambling on rocks.

Turn left here, signposted Lud’s Church and continue walking along the footpath and the entrance to Lud’s Church. The footpath continues ahead but look for the right turn between the gap in the rocks down into Lud’s Church.

Stage 2 – Lud’s Church to Hanging Stone

Distance: 1.4 mile/2.2 km

Grid reference SJ 98699 65648

Follow the trail through Lud’s Church, across the wooden boarded section and round to the left, there are a few places you can explore as you walk through. (Please note it can be muddy down here!) 

Eventually, you’ll go up stone steps leading out of Lud’s Church, at the top turn left and follow the footpath as it heads through the woods via various boarded sections.

After 300 m you’ll reach a fingerpost sign, turn right here, signposted ‘The Ridge’ and follow the footpath uphill. At the top, there’s another signpost, turn right here (signposted Danebridge) and go through the small gate. The footpath continues along the top of the ridge with beautiful views and you can look behind you towards The Roaches.

Go through another small gate and head downhill to where it joins another path. Turn left here (signposted Swythamley – photo above), after about 50 m there are stone steps over a drystone wall (signposted Concession Path + Hanging Stone). Follow the path, over a second smaller set of stone steps, to reach the Hanging Stone.

Stage 3 – Hanging Stone to Danebridge

Distance: 0.8 miles/1.2 km

Grid reference SJ 97367 65397

From the Hanging Stone, got down the steps on the right-hand side and along the path to the gate. Continue on the footpath, down to a wooden stile. Turn right here across the cattle grid until you reach another wooden stile on your left (photo below).

Follow the path down to the next wall and over another stile. Now head across the field, heading towards the trees via a feint path.

At the edge of the trees, go over the next wooden stile and continue downhill through the woods. In springtime, it’s full of bluebells and looks gorgeous. Continue on the path, across the small bridge, as the path splits, keep on the right-hand fork which continues down via some steps to reach the River Dane.

Stage 4 – Danebridge via River Dane to Gradbach

Distance: 2.9 miles/4.7 km

Grid reference SJ 96587 65153

Turn right at the river and follow the wide track, (you’re now on the Dane Valley Way) go through a small gate and continue walking alongside the river, it then heads round a tree and, up steps to a small gate (photo below) and into the woods. (More bluebells in here).

Walk along the wooden planks and continue to another wooden stile. Keep on the footpath then follow the yellow signposted areas continuing in the same direction. You’ll head across grassy sections, then back to a rocky path.

Go over another three wooden stiles then you walk through a wooded area, with the river down below on your right. Continue on the footpath, which begins to head downhill, look for the left-head steeper path which takes you down to the footbridge. (If you prefer not to go down the steep section you can walk to the end and double back on yourself).

Go across the footbridge, then on your left look for a gap in the wall, signposted Gradbach Mill (photo above). Go through here and continue on the low-level footpath that’s following the River Dane. You’ll go through another gap in the wall and along the footpath to a gate and down some steps to bring you out at Gradbach Mill.

(There’s a cafe here with outdoor seating so a perfect place to stop near the end of your walk.)

Or continue walking through past the old Gradbach Mill and up the wide driveway, back to the gates at the top. From here, continue walking up the road and the car park is on your left.

Buy a printable/downloadable PDF route guide for the walk here. 

Printable PDF Guide

Ask me questions about Lud’s Church in the comments below

More walk options

Extend the walk

Looking for longer routes? Try our Roaches and Lud’s Church 10-mile walk here

More walks in the Peak District

Love the walks in the Peak District? You might like these circular walks from Gradbach.

• Three Shires Head Short Walk From Gradbach | 5-Mile Route
• Three Shires Head Walk from Gradbach (Waterfall Walk) | 8-Mile Route

Or check out all our Peak District walking routes here

View walks directory here

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