11.95 miles.
Explorer Map No OL31 - North Pennines
This is a "serious" walk, and you should not
be attempting the route unless reasonably fit.
The walk is best kept for Spring or Summer time, when the visibility
is good. It helps to have good visibility for the dramatic view of High
Cup Nick itself.
Part of the walk described takes you across open moorland, where the
footpath is non-existent or indistinct and the cairns provide a vital
navigation aid.
It is essential to have a map and compass for this walk, and to know
how to use them.
In poor visibility, or poor weather conditions, the walk could soon
prove to be less than enjoyable.
For a Memory Map overlay of the walk described, please select the above
link.
(Overlay made with Version 4 of Memory Map)
Start from Dufton village. There is a car park, with toilets,
at NY69864 24973.
Take the lane marked "Pennine Way" in a North Easterly direction,
but instead of following the Pennine Way itself continue along the lane
past Pusgill House. Follow the track for the next three miles or so,
gradually ascending past the disused mine workings.
You will eventually come to a shooting hut at NY72860 28361. This is
by Great Rundale Tarn.
From the shooting hut, return in a Westerly direction. However, instead
of descending along the track past the mine workings, set a course of
about 250 degrees over VERY rough and boggy ground. Gradually change
course to about 160 degrees as you start to ascend this rough ground.
You should aim for the cairn at NY72426 27722. If your course is correct,
then you will see the cairn as you continue to rise.
From the cairn, next head for the Trig Point at NY725275.
From here, there is VERY faint path that follows the edge of the Blackstone
Edge at a bearing of about 170 degrees. You will eventually come to
a distinctive cairn, with shelter, at NY72990 26073.
From here, take the path (fairly faint, again) that swings round in
an Easterly direction, - past a couple of cairns, overlooking High Cup
Nick.
To descend, there is no path and you will need to judge where best to
make your way down, - heading in a North Easterly direction. Providing
you have good visibility the route down is not too difficult.
Make for the footbridge over the Maize Beck at NY74893 27016.
From here, head to High Cup Nick (NY7442926222) by the Pennine Way,
- which is fairly indistinct at this point, but is marked by small posts
set in the ground.
From High Cup Nick return to Dufton by the clear and easy to follow
Pennine Way track that passes under Dod Hill.