Founded in 1951, the
Peak District is the very first of Britain’s 15 national parks. It extends across five counties: Derbyshire, Cheshire, Staffordshire, Yorkshire and Greater Manchester, covering a total area of 555 mi² (1,438 km²), which makes it one of the most accessible and hence popular national parks with over 10 million visitors a year.
Notwithstanding that 90% of the national park is managed as farmland, the Peak District offers an astonishing 1,600 miles of public rights of way (footpaths, bridleways and tracks). Last weekend, +Shawn Moore and I sampled the rugged footpaths of its southwestern corner in the county of Staffordshire where the Peak District boasts the rocky outcrops of The Roaches (meaning 'rocks' in old French). Neither our illustrated guidebook nor Google Earth could prepare us for the breathtaking scenery that unfolded at every angle as we followed the 10-mile route along the lofty gritstone ridge of the Roaches to Lud's Church and back again to Hen Cloud.
|
Heading north along the main ridge |
The main habitat in this part of the national parks is
moorland, which is essentially heathland on higher ground with plant assemblages resembling those of a heathland (i.e. gorse and heather). One of best-known moorland birds is the red grouse (a medium-sized game bird). Few people realise the significance of the relationship between the sheep that graze heather moorlands and the grouse. Sheep are an essential management tool for keeping the heather clear from snow in the winter - this provide feeding opportunities for the grouse during the winter months.
|
Grazing of the heather moorland by sheep |
|
A shallow pool, known as Doxey Pool, nestles on a small plateau topping The Roaches |
|
A peculiar-looking 'four-toe-foot' shaped gritstone formation, adjacent to Doxey Pool |
|
This trig point marks the summit of the Roaches at 505m above sea level |
The Roaches were created 350 million years ago when a shallow sea allowed sand and grit to build up over a coral reef that once covered this area. These sediments were compressed over time into solid rocks that through the process of weathering created the eye-catching assemblages lining the (Carboniferous) gritstone escarpment today.
A characteristic feature of much of north Staffordshire are the drystone walls, used to form field boundaries. Gritstone from the Roaches Grit provides a durable walling material, but presents some problems as it slowly weathers to rounded stones (Staffordshire Wildlife Trust, 2004 - see p34).
|
Another unusually shaped boulder we came across along the main escarpment |
|
Superb views of the Cheshire Plain and the Peak District |
|
An abandoned farmhouse in the valley below Hen Cloud |
|
The tangled rock escarpment of the Roaches is one of the most dramatic higher landscapes in Britain |
|
Hen Cloud - stretching out towards the sky - is a solitary offshoot of the Roaches |
The Roaches, Hen Cloud and Ramshaw Rocks are designated as Regionally Important Geological and Geomorphological Sites (RIGS), meaning that they are representative of the most important sites for geology and geomorphology outside statutorily protected Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) or Areas of Special Scientific Interest (ASSIs).
If you ever find yourself in this end of the world, add 'The Roaches' to your itinerary. The unique landscape and geology, and the breathtaking scenery are simply unmissable! I have included below two medium-distance walking routes that will show you the best of the Roaches, however it is also worth having a look on the Peak District NP website, which offers a good variety of route suggestions for all abilities.
Happy hiking!