16th June 2013 - High Cup Nick, Backstone Edge & Dufton Pike

Walk Details

Distance walked: 10.9 miles

Total ascent: 2446 ft

OS map used: OL19 - Howgill Fells & Upper Eden Valley

Time taken: 7 hrs

Route description: Dufton-Pennine Way-High Cup Nick-Narrowgate Beacon-Backstone Edge-Great Rundale Tarn-Great Dundale-Dufton Pike-Dufton

Today's walk included a visit to one of the features of the North Pennines that is definitely worth a look, High Cup Gill.

From Dufton I followed the Pennine Way until it reaches High Cup Nick. I then had a climb to reach the cairn of Narrowgate Beacon, which marked the start of a moorland walk along Backstone Edge. After paying the trig point and the cairn that marks the high point a visit I made my way to Great Rundale Tarn. My route back to Dufton was the track down Great Rundale with a detour to the top of Dufton Pike.

Route map

Leaving Dufton by the Pennine Way

It doesn't take long for enough height to be gained for the view looking back to open out across the Eden Valley to the Lake District

The track soons turns right to head under Peeping Hill

Looking across the hidden High Cup Gill to Middletongue Crag and Murton Pike

One last look back

The first tantalising glimpse of High Cup

High Cup as I follow the Narrow Gate path to High Cup Nick. I took my time waiting for the sun to light up the crags of High Cup Scar.

Nichol's Chair

High Cup Gill..

High Cup Scar on the southern side of the valley

A fairly steep climb has brought me to the large cairn of Narrowgate Beacon

The depth of High Cup Gill is quite striking from up here

A short walk to this cairn as I start the walk along Backstone Edge with a view across the Eden Valley to the Lake District fells

Looking south to the pointed top of Murton Pike with Roman Fell behind to its left. Roman Fell is one of the forbidden fells of the Warcop Range.

A well built cairn further along and I now have a view of Cross Fell

On Backstone Edge

By the trig point on Backstone Edge

A distant view of the Lake District fells

Blencathra and the northern fells

Helvellyn and the Dodds. The pointed hill below is Dufton Pike which I'll be visiting on the way down.

The cairn that marks the high point of the moors around here is just a short distance away from the trig point. Mickle Fell and Little Fell in the background.

Cross Fell, the Dun Fells and Knock Fell

Great Rundale Tarn, a wild and lonely stretch of water. The track that ends at the shooting box next to the tarn will take me down Great Rundale.

Heading down Great Rundale. The top of the valley is heavily scarred by mining and there is ample evidence of the last mineral they were looking for, barytes.