May
8:00 Start with 17:30 (5:30pm) Return
12½ miles (20km) with 2,375ft (725m) Total Ascent
The North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty became the first British Geopark in June 2003. Its most famous geological feature is the spectacular glacial canyon of High Cup Gill that eats into the hillside above Dufton, the product of an intrusion of dolerite otherwise known as the Whin Sill.
Starting from Dufton, we follow the track around the southern flank of Dufton Pike, climbing gradually up the narrowing valley of Threlkeld Side with its relics of industry past to eventually reach Great Rundale Tarn. The next bit is off-piste as we head generally south along Backstone Edge from its 692m Trig Point towards the great cleft of High Cup Gill. From High Cup Nick, our route traverses High Cup Scar before heading across Middle Tongue and down to the broad col below the shapely Murton Pike (594m/1,949ft). It’s then steeply down to the farm at Harbour Flatt and the minor road back to Dufton from Keisley Bridge.
9½ miles (15.25km) with 1608ft (490m) Total Ascent
The great gorge of High Cup is reminiscent of the glacial trenches seen in the Cairngorms, although it looks so out of place iin the North Pennines that the splendour of the scene is greatly exaggerated. The dramatic cliffs are an outcropping of the Great Whin Sill, exposed by the passage of ice. The boulders littering the valley floor are relics of the collapsed sill - the underlying limestone being eroded away. One of the pinnacles along the cliff edge, Nichol's Chair (or Nichol's Last), was named for a local cobbler who, for a bet, sat on top while mending a pair of shoes. Occasionally the stream that empties into the cleft can be seen spurting upward. Peregrine falcons also catch the updraft, circling as they search for prey.
Starting at Dufton we head south east across fields to Redbanks bridge and just before reaching Castle Hill we turn north east and then follow a country lane for a short distance to Keisley bridge. Leaving the lane we head up the glaciated valley which we have to climb out of to reach High Cup Nick. From there we head back to Dufton along the Pennine Way.
9 miles (14.5km) with 1500ft (457m) Total Ascent
The scenery around Appleby and Dufton is stunning and Sheila and I thoroughly enjoyed reccying the walk.
Setting out from Dufton we head along a track to Pusgill House and then pass between Brownber Hill and Dufton Pike to reach Costa Hill. Here we have a gradual climb as we follow the Pennine Way north eastwards to Swinedale Beck. We return along a private road for a while before walking beneath Flagdaw and Knock Pike. Then its back to Costa Hill, where we rejoin the Pennine Way to head southwards to Dufton.
6¼ miles (9.7km) with 434ft (132m) Total Ascent
Setting off from Appleby (toilets available) we climb out of the town past the railway station and continue along a road until we can go under the A66. For the next few miles we follow tracks, field and woodland paths on the level or downhill. We eventually reach a road which we cross to take another field path, with a short sharp rise, to Brampton Hall. We continue onwards through a caravan site after which a short road walk takes us to Keld Farm. We now climb up to Castlerigg to arrive at the Roman Road. Another ¾ mile brings us to the main road and it is pavement walking, downhill into Appleby with its two cafes and various pubs. There are several stiles and some lovely mud!