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.
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.
A disused level. It went in as far as I could see.
Lower down and Dufton Pike effectively blocks the entrance to the valley
A retrospective view of Great Rundale
After a steep climb I'm on the summit of Dufton Pike. Looking across to Great Rundale.
Cloud touching the tops of Cross Fell and the Dun Fells
Backstone Edge and Murton Pike
Wild Boar Fell and the Howgills in the distance
and the Lake District fells
A field of buttercups by the bridleway back to Dufton. They do seem to having a good year.
Dufton Pike
The track back to Dufton
More buttercups
and even more
Back in the very pleasant village of Dufton