Lud’s Church- 5 mile run from Wincle into the Peak District

We’re back in Wincle this week, I parked in exactly the same place as last week by the Ship Inn and close to the Wincle Brewery. Today we are heading in the other direction along the Dane Valley Way across the border from Cheshire into Staffordshire and into the Peak District. Our route takes us out into Back Forest and Gradbach to Lud’s Church. This chasm has formed in the local Gritstone along a fault line where the gritstone has slipped down hill creating a narrow gorge. It’s a beautiful spot, as you walk down into it silence falls around you, I can see why it has been used as a meeting place for religious groups in the past. The route is a little over 5 miles (5.3) and definitely worth a visit. Starting from Wincle makes perfect sense as you can finish your trip with a visit to the Wincle Brewery or the Ship Inn.

The Route

Starting from the Ship Inn head down the hill and cross the river Dane. Take the Dane Valley Way path on your left. Follow the path which runs alongside the river and then heads up into Back Forest. Just keep following the path following signs for Gradbach. You will pass a point where the river cuts deep into the gritstone with a vertical wall of gritstone on the far side and then drop down into a valley at which point you turn right up the hill (there are some steps) at the top of which you meet another path where you can turn left for the Roaches or right for Lud’s church.

We turn right and follow the path up the hill at the top of which is a large stone formation on your right. The path turns left here and doubles back on itself, it’s signposted Lud’s Church. Follow the path to the far end of Lud’s church and then take the path right at the post marked Lud’s Church which brings you to and down into the chasm.

Head through the gorge and at the far side come back out into the path we just came up. Turn left and back to the large stone formation and go straight on following signs for Swythamley and Danebridge. The path heads across the moor and down a hill where you turn right. You come out in a clearing / gravel driveway with a drive to the left a path straight on and another to the right. We turn right and follow the track until we meet another path on our left, take the path which drops down across the fields and into Back Forest and down to the river again close to our start point. Turn left and then right at the road and back across the bridge and back up the hill to the start point.