Planning on a weekend jaunt up High Cup as it’s a place I’ve driven past hundreds of times but never ridden there. But confused as to which descent would be best. I know Cross Fell is the highest point, and the most northerly of the 3 options which drops in to Kirkland. There’s 2 options here (keeping north of the summit and also one descent right from the top). And any idea how the descent off GDF is into Milburn-there is also the descent into Knock-but looks more like an old mining road looking at the OS maps.
the one from silverband mine, down to milburn is a cracking descent. I have not done the middle one from teeshead, but some lakes lads I know ride it, so it will be good.
the top one to Kirkland is just the normal b/w. it is ok. top bit is a tussock fest, bottom is straight and fast.
The descent from Teeshead is generally excellent (supposedly the longest uninterrupted descent in England or some such?) although a bit irritating to get to as you have to get over Cross Fell first (I think the track that gets there to the south of Gregg's Hut involves walking but others may know better as I've never tried it). Top section descends gently and requires you to keep the speed up as there are some hidden rocks that will cause you to dab otherwise. Then it gets very fast.
Beware that the ground between High Cup Nick heading North to Great Dunn Fell is hard going, deep soft peaty mossy grass no obvious tracks - It is possible to go that way but be prepared for a slow battle and lots of pushing. If done, it's the sort of thing you'll do once. The main Pennine Bridleway going up to High Cup Nick is good both up and down, you can do a short loop around High Cup Nick going up the Bridleway then heading back down on the Southern shelf or head up to the obvious ridgeline above that shelf where there are marker posts for a rideable track that takes you behind Murton Pike and drops into Murton - Its easy going and not technical this way.
Most people going for a bigger ride will go right over High Cup Nick on the good path to Cow Green reservoir and then loop round on mix of road and wide Bridleway either up to GDF or up to Cross Fell, again be warned that the upper section here heading up to GDF on the Easterly side is a slog on not so great track. Most people would use the better track to go to Cross Fell, this make a large loop then descend off Cross Fell on one of above options.
My tip for the Top if you want a descent off Great Dunn Fell - is a lesser known but ace descent which must be one of the longest in the country....it is not legit, being Cheeky using a section of Pennine Way footpath dropping down the face to the SouthEast side of the paved road up to Dunn Fell, it drops you behind Dufton Pike. Its a good surface and very dry at moment so I mention it as its fair game, I've ahem...never encountered anyone on it all the times I've done it. Look on Strava- you'll see it.
Great advice guys, thanks. Hopefully it’s been dry enough to avoid most of the hike a bike. Planning on the track to Couldron Snout and up the road.
