Pennine Way
Dufton to High Cup Nick and Return
Cumbria
Distance 15km Height 400m
Saturday 16 September 2017
Today was the day. I had promised Anne a walk up to High Cup Nick since I had walked here on My Pennine Way in 2011 and I was so impressed with the views.
I had a look at a few different routes so that Anne could get the full experience of the place and the most impact of the views. With this in mind in March 2017 I walked High Cup Nick from the West returning to Dufton via Murton Pike. More recently in August 2017 I walked along High Cup Gill. I finally decided on the route we took today which is along the Pennine Way from Dufton up to High Cup Nick.
Arriving in Dufton, we were lucky to get the car into the car park.
Once ready we had a walk into the village. I pointed out, to our north the Great Dun Fell radar station. Yesterday, we had visited Cow Green reservoir and Caldron Snout, I had pointed out the radar station to our west. Today the weather was perfect although showers were predicted. After a few photos we turned back passed the house with a statue of William Shakespeare at Wesley House, then the car park and headed back along the road south east out of the village.
At the Pennine Way sign, and red flag we turned left, east along The Pennine Way. There are a number of notices on the post regarding the MOD applying to take over Murton Pike and other areas. I was glad I had walked Murton Pike when I did.
We started the steady climb east along the road and as it turned from road to track. It turned very warm and we had to remove our coats.
Large puddles of water lay in the area where a stream crosses the track. Showing they had had some heavy rainfall in the last few days. The track climbs, now changing from stone track to grass path. After passing through a couple of gates we climbed by an old disused quarry.
We had seen the start of Middletongue Crag to our right as we turned slightly north east. Cresting a rise we saw the far side of High Cup Nick as the area opened up for us. The air was a lot cooler here and we had a few drops of rain. I had visions of my last walk here and the soaking I received, that started with a few spots of rain.
There is a slight diversion on the path up to our left a short sharp climb.
Followed by a gentle drop to cross Strands Beck then a further drop to the magnificent view of High Cup Nick.
I could see a wild pony up to our left, this was a first for me in this area.
The wind was cold so we took shelter a little down from the edge and had a drink of hot chocolate. As we had our drink we watched walkers going down the path that follows by the Gill.
After our drinks we moved across High Cupgill Head and started along the eastern edge of High Cup Nick.
The views to our south west down the valley were stunning.
After a few photos and a few hundred meters we found ourselves in bright warm sunshine so decided to sit and enjoy the views and the warmth. We could see dark clouds coming from our right the north east and the valley bottom to our left, south west. Someone was getting a soaking, and it looked like it would soon be us.
After another drink of hot chocolate we set off back along the side of High Cup Nick heading north east, just as a few splashes of rain hit.
Back across High Cupgill Head.
We saw more ponies moving down the hill. I am not sure if this is a natural feature but I noticed the ponies were all feeding, facing into the wind, while all the sheep were feeding with their backs to the wind.
The shower did not stay long and it soon stopped raining.
On our journey down hill we were hit with a few more showers that soon passed us over. A number of fell runners soon came and also passed us.
Moving away from High Cup, as we were heading further down hill the weather started turning warmer a little.
In the distance we could see the Lake District was getting a lot of rain.
From the grass path we returned to the stone track and then back to the road.
At the road junction we turned right and headed north west back into Dufton.
Leaving our boots and coats in the car we had a walk into the Stag Inn. We had walked approx 15km with approx 400m climb. The main thing was that Anne had enjoyed the walk.
It was when we left the Stag Inn after a shandy and were heading back to the car the heavens opened and we were caught out in a heavy shower. These things happen.
More to follow
Boz North
Details correct at time of walking.
If you have enjoyed reading my walk or found it useful you may also like to read other walks I have done in Cumbria or other areas. Please check out the links on the right hand side.
Follow links to previous walks to High Cup Nick.
My Pennine Way in April 2011.
High Cup Nick from the West returning via Murton Pike in March 2017.
Along High Cup Gill in August 2017.
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