England · United Kingdom
The Roaches
A53Leek to Buxton
A high moorland road past the gritstone edge of the Roaches.
The A53 climbs between Leek and Buxton past the dramatic gritstone ridge of the Roaches on the western edge of the Peak District. It is open and exposed with long views; the bends are inviting but weather and climbers' parked cars call for care.
Where it runs12.4 mi · point to point
LeekStart · England
BuxtonEnd · England
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Character
Corners18bends
Tightness5of 10
Max gradient9%≈ 1-in-11
Climb396 mtotal ascent
Summit504.9 mhighest point of the line · 1,656 ft
Corners
busiest around mile 12Elevation
under 4%4–8%over 8%186.9 – 504.9 mPoints of interest2 stops
- Ramshaw RocksViewpoint4.3 mi in
- Axe EdgeViewpoint9.0 mi in
Hazards
- Exposed moorland weather
- Parked cars at the Roaches
- Cyclists
Sources
“The challenging character of this section of road makes it attractive to motorcyclists.”
Verified route: mapped from real road geometry and fact-checked by a human editor. How roads get checked
Driving the Roaches: quick answers
How long does it take to drive the Roaches?
The Roaches runs 12.4 miles (20 km) and takes about 25 min to drive without stops.
How difficult is the Roaches to drive?
We rate it moderate: 18 corners, a maximum gradient of 9%, and a tightness of 5 out of 10.
When is the best time to drive the Roaches?
Spring and Summer and Autumn are best.
Nearby roads
The closest great drives to The Roaches.
The Roaches
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