Dufton - High Cup Nick - Middletongue Crags - Dufton

Sam Roebuck

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This walk gave me my first-ever look at High Cup Nick and it didn't disappoint. A text-book-perfect glacial valley carved by ancient ice, out of the edge of the high ground north of the Eden Valley, photographs can't do justice to it... it has to be seen to be fully appreciated.

Walk 2539 allows us to do this from many different viewpoints. After a long climb up from the start at the pretty village of Dufton, the Pennine Way takes us along the northern edge of High Cup Nick, all the way to the 'bow', where High Cupgill Beck drops over the edge. We follow the stream, scrambling over boulders down to the valley floor.

From here, the grey curtains of dolerite that form the edges of the Nick gradually rise above and eventually behind us as we descend once more towards the Eden Valley. With such grandeur around us, it's easy to ignore the views from High Cup Nick, but if you look slightly to your right, you will see many of the Lakeland Fells, including Blencathra and Helvellyn.

But now, the hard part of the walk is over and we return to Dufton via forest, pasture and the delightful Woodland Trust valley of Dufton Ghyll.

Dog-walkers please note the presence of sheep, cows, boulder scrambles and tricky stiles on this walk.

England - North England - Cumbria - Eden Valley

Features

Great Views, Hills or Fells, Pub, Toilets, Waterfall, Wildlife, Woodland

1/17/2022 - Richard Driver

I did this walk 15/01/22 in reverse. Well worth the effort. You get a fantastic variety of terrains in a very short period of time. The scramble up to High Cup Nick is not for the feint hearted. But I think I went too far left and made life difficult for myself. Much to surprise of three lads enjoying the views!

1/17/2022 - Richard Driver

1/8/2018 - Nicola Howarth

We did this in January in the snow! I've done High Cup Nick before but never Middletongue Crags. I was a bit worried about the snow but I'm glad we did it. We stayed high at the top like advised, before dropping down. Most of us bum shuffling the steep ascent!!. The views both above and below spectacular! The quarry was lovely . A walk with lots of variety Thank-you

9/15/2007 - Christine Meynell

Wow! My hardest but most spectacular walk yet. I got cracking photos, worthy of a post card. Took me 6 hours 45, but I'm a novice. Do it, you won't regret it!

1/9/2006 - Andy Johnson

We did this walk in reverse..excellent!! The wander along the bottom of the valley prior to the ascent up the nick is stunning. Looking back as you walk, you see the glacial trial scored out over numerous years. The scramble up the waterfalls and onto the top is really worth the effort with a nice meander along the Pennine Way back to Dufton. Recommended!!

6/17/2005 - Andrew Littlejohns

Dufton is a small pretty village which is a good place to base a walking weekend from. The Stag Inn has recently changed hands and provides a good selection of food, ales and whiskey. The staff, landlady and locals are friendly and welcoming.