Route: High Cup Nick
Area: Eden Valley
Date of walk: 13th September 2016
Walkers: Andrew and Gilly
Distance: 11.0 miles
Ascent: 1,900 feet
Weather: Mostly sunny, though clouded over later. Very warm and very hazy
Today’s walk features one of the most spectacular geological features in England – the classic U-shaped glaciated valley of High Cup Gill seen from its head at High Cup Nick. There are several ways to approach the Nick, and we sourced our route from the excellent guide ‘Walking in Cumbria’s Eden Valley’ by Vivienne Crow, which we’ve used for other walks in this area
We parked in the public car park in the unspoilt village of Dufton and followed a path out of the village which took us along the foot of Dufton Pike. This was easy going, though became a bit rougher later on as we headed up into Great Rundale. When we reached a shooting box near Great Rundale Tarn we turned off the main track and here followed a rough, squelchy, and sometimes pathless trek across rather bleak moorland. The route isn’t shown on the OS maps and the key to navigation here is to follow the course of the outlet stream from the tarn
We arrived at a footbridge leading onto High Cup Plain and from here it was an easy stroll across to High Cup Nick, at which point the ground suddenly falls away and an incredible view appears, and I hope the photos will convey the drama of the situation. It was a thrilling moment – and a good place for our picnic
Eventually it was time to go and we made our way along the edge of the escarpment, and from there descended gently back to Dufton. Sadly the long distance views, which would have been spectacular, were shrouded in a dull haze and this was a real shame. Never mind, the views along High Cup were ample compensation and we’ll never forget them – a classic walk
Click on the icon below for the route map (subscribers to OS Maps can view detailed maps of the route, visualise it in aerial 3D, and download the GPX file. Non-subscribers will see a base map)
Scroll down – or click on any photo to enlarge it and you can then view as a slideshow
Dufton village green at the start of today’s walk
We leave the village along this track between the sandstone buildings
Dufton Pike
Looking back towards the Eden Valley
We follow the track round to the right, taking us past the foot of Dufton Pike
Dufton Pike is on our left now
Looking back over the Eden Valley
Brownber Hill and Threlkeld Side
Looking across to Knock Pike
We follow the track up Great Rundale…
Grouse shooting season
Looking back along Great Rundale Beck to Dufton Pike
Old mine buildings
Approaching the head of Great Rundale
We emerge onto open moorland and turn right at this shooting box
We pass by Great Rundale Tarn and locate its outlet stream which we will follow across the moor
This section is a long trudge through featureless and juicy terrain, and pathless at times
It’s a relief to arrive at this bridge and to enter onto High Cup Plain
Looking back along the stream which had been our faithful guide for the last mile or two
After a short walk across the plain, the ground suddenly falls away to reveal High Cup in all its glory - an awesome scene
These two ladies add a sense of scale to the scene - thank you for agreeing to an unpaid modelling assignment!
We make our way along the northern rim
Looking back to High Cup Nick
Dolerite columns along the other side of the valley
High Cup Gill below
Looking back along our path, which is part of the Pennine Way
A last lingering look back to High Cup Nick before we start the descent back to Dufton
On a clear day there would be huge views over the Eden Valley but not today sadly as it was very hazy
Dufton Pike comes into view again
The home straight
Back to Dufton village green and the end of a classic walk
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