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The Dufton Round
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Start/Parking – in Long Marton village, near to the centre as the walk begins by the village Institute. This walk takes in a small amount of road walking, woodland paths, a riverside, good bridleways and part of the Pennine Way. There are several alternative routes which can be followed – the one we have chosen today encompasses a variety of countryside.
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On leaving Long Marton via the Dufton sign posted road it is worth noting that the Institute which stands proudly in the centre of the village was built in 1893 with the generosity of Revd. Hay Erskine, who provided the £750 to build the Institute out of his own pocket, and endowed it with a sum of £200 per annum. There was a wide range of activities offered to local people; the building was open from 8am to 10pm every day except Sunday, when it was open from 2pm to 5pm. There was a reading room with books and newspapers, and a recreation room with a public room upstairs for sales and lectures.
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Go under the railway bridge (the Settle to Carlisle line) and by the first right hand bend you can follow the sign through the fields beyond. However, if there has been prolonged rain the terrain can be extremely boggy and really inaccessible unless you are wearing Wellington boots! No matter, keep on the road (it’s a fairly quiet road as long as it’s not 3.15 pm and primary school home time) and follow it until you arrive at Hidden Corner, an antiques/tea room, and if it is a Saturday or Sunday then call in!
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Just beyond here take the route signposted to Dufton Gill and follow on through several gates and stiles to walk beside the beck (Mill Beck) until you reach the road again. At this point, look in front towards the fells and you will see Dufton Pike. Okay, that’s enough looking for now! Turn right onto the road and walk up to the junction, Dufton village is to the right approximately 100 yards up the hill but your journey lies to the left and just a few yards away follow the sign for the Pennine Way.
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At the next sign post take the left hand direction for the Pennine Way – it is a wide bridleway and has easy walking past dwellings and farmsteads. As you gain height take a moment to glance back at the views stretching out behind you; if it is very clear you will be able to see to Scotland. After approximately a mile you will reach a dividing of the ways and unless you are bound for Garrigill and the Pennine Way proper, keep to the right to go around the side of Dufton Pike. In the winter months this part of the route you are now starting will spend a lot of time in the shadow of Dufton Pike – a bit like the dark side of the moon! But when you emerge from the “dark side” on a sunny day the sunshine is quite uplifting!
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The path leads up to a wider track, go through the gate/stile and bear right heading back towards Dufton. Again, this part is very easy walking and the views are rewarding particularly on a clear day of the Eden valley and beyond. The bridleway brings you back to Dufton at the side of the Methodist Church, bear right onto the road and walk into the centre of the village admiring the green, visiting the toilets on your left by the car park, and maybe calling in at the village stores for a cup of something, or the pub, if open, and not necessarily in that order!
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You now have several options for your return to Long Marton – if you leave by the caravan site or the Youth Hostel these routes will take through Dufton Gill and drop you back to the delightful woodland walk again. Otherwise, take the road out of Dufton and turn left 100 yards along towards Long Marton – just in front before you turn is where you started up the Pennine Way route some time before. Continue down the road and over the small bridge, then turn left to Long Marton and retrace your steps through the woodland and the river side, back to the village for a well earned rest or a promise of something stronger than tea if the Masons Arms is open, Kenton and Jennifer will make you very welcome.
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Distance
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7 Miles approx.
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Time
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4 hrs 30 mins approx.
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Under Foot
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Mostly dry, but some poorly drained parts on the Pennine Way section.
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Accommodation
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Y.H. in Dufton B.B. in Long Marton and Dufton.
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Stiles
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Yes.
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Mobile Signal
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Good all around the Pike.
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Car Parking
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Long Marton Village Centre and next to the toilets in Dufton.
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Shops
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Dufton Post Office -- Shop. The Stag, Dufton. The Masons Arms, Long Marton.
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Toilets
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The car park at the top end of Dufton.
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