Start Muncaster Castle,through Miterdale Forest, round Burnmoor Tarn and down to Boot etc.

Anyone know what its like/worth doing?

Cheers

It's a great ride, yes. From the Castle You could follow the Esk trail from Ravenglass) follow the esk trail round the south flank of Muncaster fell. Up Miterdale on the true left bank (right bank going upstream) to Mitredale Barn (camping barn thingy). Cross the river and pass the barn, to climb up to join the BW which skirts the flank of Illgill Head. Round the Wasdale end of the barn and then either follow the rocky descent to Boot, or ride up to Burnmoor Lodge and continue to meet the BW which comes over from Mitredale, descending to Boot.
Don't have the map to hand for specifics, but feel free to mail. To extend it the BWs which run along the left bank of the Esk are good (could cross from Boot at the end, or ride up the valley and cross further up.

boxelder

Many thanks for the info.

Will give it a go in a week or two.

G

The DH from Burmoor to Wasdale Head is one of the rockiest and most challenging I know! Exciting and scary 🙂

routes here

Look at sfb's map above.
The camping barn is Bakerstead – from there climb up Tongue Moor to skirt around Burnmoor.

If you like quick downhills you could do worse than try black combe (south of muncaster near millom) its a sod of a climb (nearly 2000') followed by 10-15 mins of flat out down once youve turned round. Start at the church in whicham valley go up + back the same way

Many thanks to you all.

Will definiteley be doing the route in August.

Cheers

G

Start at the church in whicham valley go up + back the same way

really ? We've always climbed from Bootle after going round the mountain via the Swinside stone circle…

SFB – last time I went up from bootle it seemed that it was almost as steep and unrideable as the way up from the church – maybe we lost the path a bit.

I tend to go from the church in the valley (not the one on the flat bit nearer to bootle) straight up the bridleway to the top and then turn round, its mostly rideable on the way up (if you're fit and like the granny ring)

you can just make out the path on google (running north south)
maps