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Description:-
An adventurous, exposed, natural XC trail making use of the industrial lead mining past of the area to gain height. It follows the course of the Maize Beck, culminating at an awesome sight - the perfect U-shaped valley of High Cup Nick before a headlong plunge down the Pennine Way bridleway.
Short tarmac section R out of car park then onto gravel track between houses towards Pusgill House (1). Continue around E side of Dufton Pike and up Threlkeld Side (2), this is easy going with a steady gradient to the old mine workings. Keep going, track is now rougher with larger stones and one short steep, loose climb. (Don't forget to look backwards towards the great view of the Lake District). Towards the top the track surface becomes more muddy and sandy. At the top of the climb is an open bothy (3) useful for shelter if the weather is poor. Now the fun begins, navigate to the head of Great Rundale Tarn (GPS, map/compass whatever). Various vague quad bike tracks head in the right direction the trick is to use the correct ones. The ground is now heathery, peaty and probably boggy! At the outlet of Maize Beck pick up the vague quad bike tracks. Although the going is rough- mud, heather etc., progress is surprisingly easy as it's mostly downhill. Basically follow the Maize Beck, sometimes on the right but mostly on the left bank, past its major tributaries Wool Beck (4) and Stake Beck(5). In the high water conditions when I did this it was necessary to go upstream to cross these tributaries safely. There are a couple of rock steps which require a push/carry up in order to continue but this section is 95% rideable. Eventually Maize Beck becomes gorge-like and is spanned (6) by a substantial footbridge (junction with Pennine Way). Cross to W bank and pick up PW markers. Make your way to the head of High Cup Nick (7) and take in the view. Follow the PW bridleway as best and as fast as you dare all the way back to Dufton. It's a 5.5km blast (8,9).