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Dufton Pike from Dufton

North Pennines Walk

Region - North Pennines

County/Area - Cumbria - North Pennines

Author - Lou Johnson

Length - 5.5 miles / 8.9 km    Ascent - 1250 feet / 379 metres

Time - 4 hours 0 minutes    Grade - easy/mod

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Ordnance Survey Explorer OL19Sheet Map1:25kBUY
Anquet OS Explorer OL19Digital Map1:25kBUY
Ordnance Survey Landranger 91Sheet Map1:50kBUY
Anquet OS Landranger 91Digital Map1:50kBUY

Walk Route Description

Photo from the walk - Dufton Pike
Click image to visit gallery of 3 images.

This short circular walk starts from the attractive village of Dufton and follows the Pennine Way north before ascending Dufton Pike from where excellent views are reward for the effort required for the ascent. Dufton Pike takes a conical form when viewed from many directions and provides a convenient landmark in this part of the Vale of Eden.

The start is the village of Dufton where there is small car park adjacent to the public conveniences (Grid ref. NY689250). Exit the car park and turn left and the follow the road through the village towards Knock. Just after the road turns right to leave the village take the farm track that forks right (Grid ref. NY 688 253). This leads north with the Pennine Way joining from the right to reach Coatsike Farm.

Continue north on the Pennine Way (Hurning Lane) to Halsteads. Just beyond here the track descends to cross Great Runsdale Beck at a gate. Just before the gate take the right hand grassy path (Grid ref. NY692273). You soon enter "Open Access" at a wall. Just beyond here go half right and head for the path that can be seen on the hillside ahead. This leads without further problem to the summit of Dufton Pike.

Because Dufton Pike is a solitary hill the views in all directions are worthwhile with the main Pennine ridge in view to the east and the Lakeland Fells visible across the Vale of Eden to the west. To continue descend by the clear path leaving the summit to the south-west. This leads down to a lane. Turn right and follow this track back to Dufton.

Note - The ascent of Dufton Pike described above does not involve any trespass. However there is a more direct path that starts before open access countryside is reached but this is not a public right of way.

Other walks nearby

Walk 1715 Dufton Pike & Duftoneasy5.0 miles
Walk 1784 Rutter Force & Hoff Beckeasy/mod8.0 miles
Walk 3071 Cross Fell & Great Dun Fell from Kirklandmod/hard12.0 miles
Walk 3274 Cronkley Scar & Cauldron Snoutmoderate8.0 miles
Walk 1683 High Cup Nick & Cow Green Reservoir moderate12.8 miles
Walk 3336 Cauldron Snouteasy3.6 miles
Walk 3593 Meldon Hill from Cow Green Reservoirmoderate9.2 miles
Walk 2453 Askham Fell from Lowther Castleeasy/mod7.4 miles
Walk 3758 Tynehead and Ashgill Force from near Garrigilleasy/mod8.2 miles
Walk 1084 Garrigill, Alston & Nentheadmoderate13.1 miles

Recommended Books & eBooks

Walking in the North Pennines

Walking in the North PenninesThis guidebook describes 50 day walks across the North Pennines, England's remotest Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty taking in parts of Cumbria, County Durham and Northumberland. Most of the routes are circular and they range from 5 to 14 miles, with something to suit all abilities. Route descriptions are accompanied by 1:50K OS mapping.
More information

The Cumbria Way

The Cumbria WayA guidebook to the 73 mile Cumbria Way, an easy long-distance walk though the heart of the Lake District National Park, from Ulverston in the south to Carlisle in the north, with good transport links to either end. The route is largely low-level but this guide offers alternative mountain days to climb some of the famous fells en route.
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