A Trip to The Roaches
The Roaches is a dramatic gritstone ridge in Staffordshire, on the edge of the Peak District, offering sweeping views across several counties. Rising to 505 metres, this 975-acre site is a haven for walkers and climbers, and is also a protected area rich in wildlife, including curlews and peregrine falcons.
For the best experience, visitors can climb the steps beside the Don Whillans Memorial Hut to walk along the rocky ridge. Along the way, they’ll find Doxey Pool—a peaceful spot steeped in local legend, said to be home to a dangerous water spirit called Jenny Greenteeth. The site is accessible via the A53 between Buxton and Leek, with the hut’s postcode provided for navigation. Visitors are reminded to take litter home and refrain from using barbecues or fires.
The Roaches is a truly stunning gritstone ridge that dramatically rises up from the surrounding moorland, located close to the market town of Leek in Staffordshire, on the southwestern edge of the Peak District National Park. This impressive geological feature commands attention as it juts out from the landscape, offering visitors a remarkable upland experience. At its highest point, the ridge reaches an elevation of 505 metres above sea level, and from this vantage point, it provides absolutely spectacular, far-reaching views that stretch out over the counties of Staffordshire and Cheshire, and on particularly clear days, the eye can even carry as far as Lancashire and the distant hills of Wales. With such an expansive panorama, it is hardly surprising that The Roaches is regarded as a wonderful place to spend a whole day immersed in the Great Outdoors, surrounded by fresh air and natural beauty. In total, there are more than 975 acres of rocky upland terrain to explore, offering a diverse and rugged landscape that provides a perfect escape for walkers who enjoy traversing open moorland, as well as climbers who are drawn to the challenging gritstone crags that have made this location famous within the climbing community.
The Roaches (the name comes from the French ‘les roches’, meaning the rocks) is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and forms part of the South Pennine Moor Special Area for Conservation (SAC). Its heather-clad moorland and blanket bog provides important habitats for a huge variety of wildlife, including birds such as curlew, red grouse, and peregrine falcon.
For fantastic views, climb the stone steps to the left of a distinctive stone cottage built into the hillside (the Don Whillans Memorial Hut, run by the British Mountaineering Council), and walk left along the rocky ridge.
Look out for Doxey Pool, a tranquil, dark pool measuring approx. 15 metres x 10 metres. Although it looks serene and peaceful, according to legend it’s inhabited by a water spirit known as Jenny Greenteeth, a wicked water hag from English folklore who pulls children into the water to drown them. The story goes that Jenny fell into Doxey Pool on a foggy day whilst out walking on the top of The Roaches, and ever since has been luring unsuspecting victims to their own watery graves. If you’re not superstitious, though, it makes a great spot for a picnic! (Please take your litter home with you and remember that barbecues and fires are not permitted in the Peak District.)
How do I get to The Roaches?
The Roaches are located to the west of the A53 between Buxton and Leek. The postcode of the Don Whillans Hut is ST13 8UB.
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If the dramatic gritstone scenery of The Roaches has inspired you, the Staffordshire Peak District has much more to offer. The Dragon’s Back Walk offers a similarly exhilarating ridge experience with panoramic views over the Staffordshire hills. The mystical Lud’s Church is hidden in nearby Back Forest, a deep green chasm full of myth and legend. The charming village of Longnor and England’s highest village, Flash, are both nearby.
For more ridge walking, Stanage Edge provides some of the best views in the National Park. Discover more routes at our Walking Trails Guide.
