Get Lost Mountaineering

Dufton Pike from Dufton

Start/Finish

Dufton village is situated to the north of the A66 road from Scotch Corner to Penrith.  It lies almost due north of Appleby and is signed off the A66.    There is a small car park with toilets in Dufton. If full then some on street parking is available but do not park where residents will be inconvenienced.

Distance/Time

5 km     About 2 hours

Peaks         

Dufton Pike, 481 m, NY 700 267.     OS 1: 50 000, Sheet 91.

Introduction

Despite its modest height, Dufton Fell is a distinctive peak well seen from the A66.  This route traverses it from SE to NW.  The ascent up the SE ridge is steep but there is a path.  The descent down the NW ridge is almost as steep.  It almost reaches the Pennine Way but progress is blocked by two walls without stiles which seems a shame.  A route S to the Pennine Way is offered but this is not on a right of way!  The “official” route is to to take the path across the northern flank of Dufton Pike and rejoin the outward track higher up but this has not been checked out.  It may well be a better option as the Pennine Way section is very boggy.  Views are excellent especially to Cross Fell and Mickle Fell as well as the distant Lakeland Fells including Helvellyn.

Route

(1) From Dufton car park, turn right on to the main street and follow this around a left hand bend.  On the next bend which is right hand, go ahead on a track between two houses where there is a sign for High Scald Fell.  Follow this track, which is fairly straight, past where it separates from the Pennine Way.  Continue to a metal gate where there is an access notice.  Dufton Pike is above.  Do not go through this gate but continue on the track to the next access notice by a small gate.  Go through this and follow the steep grassy path up to reach a small grassy plateau where there is no cairn but this is the summit of Dufton Pike, 481 m.

(2) Continue ahead and descend down the NW ridge on a similar path until a wall is met crossing the ridge.  Go left here and follow a track which cuts back below Dufton Pike and leads to a metal gate.  Go through this and walk downhill on the left of a broken wall.  Lower down, drift left and reach a gate on to the Pennine Way.  Turn left, S, and follow this, very boggy in places, back to Dufton.

Notes

(a) This walk took place on 7^th March, 2015.

(b) The route from the wall at the foot of the NW ridge of Dufton Pike is not a right of way. The “official” route is to go right at the wall and follow a pleasant path until a reverse left fork is met at a post with an arrow on it. This reverse fork leads to the Pennine Way. Turn left and follow it back to Dufton.