Total Distance: 9 Miles
Total Ascent/Descent: 1800ft
High Cup Nick really is a hidden gem.
It's the kind of place that can only be found if you are intent on actually finding it, a result of nature carefully hiding it at the top of an enormous U-shaped valley, carved into the side of the Cumbrian Pennines and shielded from prying eyes by a series of sentry like hills. Indeed, the popular Pennine Way passes directly over the very edge of High Cup Nick yet, even on the warmest of summer days, you could find yourself alone in this spectacular setting.
It's the kind of place that can only be found if you are intent on actually finding it, a result of nature carefully hiding it at the top of an enormous U-shaped valley, carved into the side of the Cumbrian Pennines and shielded from prying eyes by a series of sentry like hills. Indeed, the popular Pennine Way passes directly over the very edge of High Cup Nick yet, even on the warmest of summer days, you could find yourself alone in this spectacular setting.
After passing through the pretty village of Dufton, we start a steady ascent along the Pennine Way, soon getting fantastic views of the Cumbrian Hills as the path meanders towards Peeping Hill and we get our first glimpse of the Whin Sill.
We are soon walking alongside the amazing valley passing the occasional Pennine Way walker.
Continuing round the ‘Nick’ we take in the full spectacle of glacial erosion, before crossing a field of white ‘cotton flowers’ on Middle Tongue
Passing Murton Pike we head for the track leading to High Cup House and down to the road.
The walk now is on a minor road with very little traffic which meanders towards Dufton still giving us lovely views including a last glimpse of High Cup Nick, farmers working in the fields and inquisitive cattle looking at you.
This is a fantastic walk for midsummer, nearly 9 miles long but definitely worth the effort. It is a steady climb up, a level patch around the ‘nick’ and then a steady drop down to be back in Dufton by about 4pm
Photographs taken on the recce here
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