Dufton to High Cup Nick via High Cup Gill Return along PW
Cumbria
Distance 15km Climb 525m
Wednesday 31 July 2019
I had been looking forward to today, this was our second ramble. I had last walked up High Cup Gill some time ago and was keen to show Les and Steve the beauty of the North Pennines.
Travelling to Dufton the weather was very similar to our first ramble, Seaham to Easington Colliery, very wet. The BBC weather forecast showed a weather warning, showers with the possibility of thunder and lightening later in the day. Some areas had seen some severe flooding. However approaching Dufton, Les checked a forecast which showed that we had a window of fair weather, which came just as we arrived and it lasted nearly all of our walk.
Steve parked up at the free Dufton car park and before setting off we took a few steps to have a quick look into the village. We saw the fountain which I believe was supplied by the London Lead Company and the footless statue of William Shakespeare at Wesley House.
Walking back towards and passing the car park, we walked south east along the road we had driven in on from Appleby. As it was very warm we had a short stop where The Pennine Way joins the road, at the red warning flag, to remove our coats.
Continuing south east, at the main road junction we turned left, east, towards
Keisley and Murton. It was almost perfect walking weather but the hint of rain was not very far away.
There was a lot of surface water on the road, as the road rose and fell, rain water, ran either down the road to meet us or away from us as we crested the rises.
The countryside was opening up, fields and distant views to the right, hills to the left. As we walked the road directly to our front we could see Murton Pike.
The countryside was opening up, fields and distant views to the right, hills to the left. As we walked the road directly to our front we could see Murton Pike.
After just over 3km we reached Keisley Bridge which crosses over High Cupgill Beck, we would cross High Cupgill Beck
a little later on, on our walk.
Just passed the bridge around the bend and after a short climb we reached the style that would take us on a footpath across a field to Harbour Flatt.
From Harbour Flatt a footpath took us north east. The footpath runs next to a farm track. After dropping down
to pass through a gate and cross Trundale Gill there is a little climb beside a gorge. We followed the path up and round to the left beside a fence then turned round the right hand edge of a deep pond. This took us across another short rise.
Looking to our front we could see the length of High Cup Gill stretched out before us. From the rise we followed around to our right before it drops gently to the valley floor.
The ground was soft and boggy in places, there had been a lot of rain over the last few days.
The path levels and the bottom of the valley rises up to meet it near a wall. A herd of cows showed a little interest in us but not too much. We followed the wall, you can see how full and fast flowing High Cupgill Beck is. This was the beck we crossed at Keisley Bridge earlier on our walk.
Crossing the wall we could see how full of water the waterfall coming from Strands Beck was to our front, the Narrowgate Beacon was to the right. After crossing the wall we had a short stop for a quick snack and a warm drink.
Continuing up the valley bottom, Les had a closer look at High
Cupgill Beck, the water was very cold. The path now starts to climb along with the valley bottom.
When we reached the boulder field, there was no distinctive path across, so we just found our own way. Somewhere on the boulder field we crossed the High Cupgill Beck which flows below the boulder field.
We were in an area where water was bubbling like springs, probably due to the amount of rain that had recently fell. The path now climbed steeply up the side of High Cup Nick.
At the top we found a small dip which provided a little shelter from the wind. Where we had a short rest and I had a cheese and plastic ham sandwich with a cup of hot chocolate. Enjoying the views back down the valley.
There were a few wild horses in the area.
After our snack we followed The Pennine Way round what the map shows as Narrow Gate Path.
Looking down to our left we could see Nichol Chair.
A little further down The Pennine Way, looking down High Cup Gill we could see the route we had walked.
We crossed Strands Beck, which was flowing fast.
As we descended in height, the rain returned very showery, it was time to put our coats back on.
We reached the old quarry on the side of Dod Hill.
Before passing through a gate and following the footpath west.
A little way down and the rain had stopped enough for us to remove our coats again.
The Pennine Way led us to the road and the junction we had passed earlier in the day, with the red flag.
A right turn and we were back in Dufton.
Then a little climb with a twist left then right and we were back at the
carpark. We had walked 15km with 525m climb. It had been a great day out, Thanks Les and Steve, I am already looking forward to our next ramble.
I have just had another look through all the photos and I feel I should add it was a brilliant day with Les and Steve. More to follow
Boz North Details correct at the 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. Dufton to High Cup Nick Sept 2017 |
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