Scotland
Affric Kintail Way
Coming soon
- On trail 20.5 mi 33.0 km
- Walking time 9–10 h
- Ascent 720 m 2,350 ft
- Descent 760 m 2,500 ft
- Difficulty Moderate
Three waterfalls up the Tees, then High Cup and the drop to Dufton.
Section 10: Middleton-in-Teesdale to Dufton map
Example stay Brow Farm (opens in a new tab)
Cross-check: Pennine Way route description on National Trails . The walk follows that page's sixteen days, checked 17 October 2026. Distance and climb are measured on our line between these ends, not taken from its mile figures.
The walk
Pennine Way gold: the sort of day that lives in the memory long after the walk. It starts as a leisurely amble through flower meadows beside the River Tees, "a walk of near perfection" in Wainwright's words, past Low Force and High Force. Upper Teesdale narrows, the path turns rocky, and a scramble climbs beside Cauldron Snout. Then the moor leads to High Cup, a great glacial chasm and arguably the finest sight on the whole Pennine Way. Dufton waits below, on the western side of the Pennines at last.
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Start of section
Middleton-in-Teesdale
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Low Force and High Force
The first two of the day's three waterfalls, on a meadow path beside the Tees. High Force is the big one; the High Force Hotel sits on the road above.
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Scramble
Cauldron Snout
A long cascade below the dam of Cow Green reservoir. The path climbs the rocks right beside it; take your time in the wet.
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High Cup
A vast U-shaped valley cut into the western edge of the Pennines, its rim lined with dark crags. The path follows the rim, then drops to Dufton.
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End of section
Dufton
Section 10: Middleton-in-Teesdale to Dufton overview
The ground
- Riverside
- Waterfalls
- Rocky scramble
- Moor
A long day with more descent than ascent. Long, but unusually flat for the Way: there is more descent than ascent. The rocky stretch and the scramble by Cauldron Snout are the only hard parts.
Stops
Refreshments
- Middleton has the Co-op and cafés. On the way
- the Langdon Beck Hotel
- just off route
- is the one place for lunch. Dufton has a pub and B&Bs
Toilets
- No source used for this section names a public toilet
Before you go
Opposite direction
Dufton to Middleton-in-Teesdale
Walked north to south, you climb from Dufton to High Cup, cross the moor and scramble down beside Cauldron Snout, then follow the Tees past High Force and Low Force to Middleton-in-Teesdale.
End of section
Middleton-in-Teesdale
Middleton-in-Teesdale to Dufton FAQ
Can I break Middleton to Dufton into two days?
Yes. Forest-in-Teesdale and Langdon Beck are just off route and have a few beds, including a youth hostel. Some find them come too early in the day. Our 16-day plan stops at Langdon Beck.
Is the Cauldron Snout scramble hard?
It is short and steep over rock, and slippery when wet. Most walkers manage it with care; take it slowly and keep poles stowed.
Where do I stay in Dufton?
Dufton is a small village with a pub, B&Bs, holiday cottages and a caravan park. Book early, and in bad weather be ready to stay an extra night before Cross Fell.
Can I download a GPX for Middleton-in-Teesdale to Dufton?
Yes. Use the GPX button at the top of this page. It is this section's line, for Garmin, Komoot, or your phone. Open the planner if you want a file built around your overnight stops.
Walk this as a day
Used as Day 10 on the 15-day. Open the planner on that preset, then export a full-trip or per-day GPX.
Open in planner Read the 15-day itinerary
Full-trip and per-day GPX files. Free, no account.
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