Pennine Walker, a photographic walking diary

  • HOME
  • About this site
  • Walking Diaries
    • Walking Diary 2022
    • Walking Diary 2021
    • Walking Diary 2020
    • Walking Diary 2019
    • Walking Diary 2018
    • Walking Diary 2017
    • Walking Diary 2016
    • Walking Diary 2015
    • Walking Diary 2014
    • Walking Diary 2013
    • Walking Diary 2012
    • Walking Diary 2011
    • Walking Diary 2010
    • Walking Diary 2009
    • Walking Diary 2008
  • Lake District Walks
  • Peak District Walks
  • Yorkshire Dales Walks
  • Forest of Bowland, Pendle & West Pennine Moors Walks
  • South Pennines Walks
  • Walks in other areas
  • Links Page

​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
Picture
© Crown copyright. All rights reserved. License number PU 100034184.

Picture
Leaving Dufton by the Pennine Way
Picture
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
Picture
The track soons turns right to head under Peeping Hill
Picture
Looking across the hidden High Cup Gill to Middletongue Crag and Murton Pike
Picture
One last look back
Picture
The first tantalising glimpse of High Cup
Picture
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.
Picture
Picture
Picture
Nichol's Chair
Picture
High Cup Gill..
Picture
Picture
High Cup Scar on the southern side of the valley
Picture
A fairly steep climb has brought me to the large cairn of Narrowgate Beacon
Picture
The depth of High Cup Gill is quite striking from up here
Picture
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
Picture
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.
Picture
A well built cairn further along and I now have a view of Cross Fell
Picture
On Backstone Edge
Picture
By the trig point on Backstone Edge
Picture
A distant view of the Lake District fells
Picture
Blencathra and the northern fells
Picture
Helvellyn and the Dodds. The pointed hill below is Dufton Pike which I'll be visiting on the way down.
Picture
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.
Picture
Cross Fell, the Dun Fells and Knock Fell
Picture
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.
Picture
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.
Picture
A disused level. It went in as far as I could see.
Picture
Lower down and Dufton Pike effectively blocks the entrance to the valley
Picture
A retrospective view of Great Rundale
Picture
After a steep climb I'm on the summit of Dufton Pike. Looking across to Great Rundale.
Picture
Cloud touching the tops of Cross Fell and the Dun Fells
Picture
Backstone Edge and Murton Pike
Picture
Wild Boar Fell and the Howgills in the distance
Picture
and the Lake District fells
Picture
A field of buttercups by the bridleway back to Dufton. They do seem to having a good year.
Picture
Dufton Pike
Picture
The track back to Dufton
Picture
More buttercups
Picture
and even more
Picture
Back in the very pleasant village of Dufton

Return to HOME
Return to Walks in other areas
Return to Walking Diary 2013
© Alan Kilduff 2016-2022                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
  • HOME
  • About this site
  • Walking Diaries
    • Walking Diary 2022
    • Walking Diary 2021
    • Walking Diary 2020
    • Walking Diary 2019
    • Walking Diary 2018
    • Walking Diary 2017
    • Walking Diary 2016
    • Walking Diary 2015
    • Walking Diary 2014
    • Walking Diary 2013
    • Walking Diary 2012
    • Walking Diary 2011
    • Walking Diary 2010
    • Walking Diary 2009
    • Walking Diary 2008
  • Lake District Walks
  • Peak District Walks
  • Yorkshire Dales Walks
  • Forest of Bowland, Pendle & West Pennine Moors Walks
  • South Pennines Walks
  • Walks in other areas
  • Links Page