Cross Fell and its near neighbour Great Dun Fell are ringed by an amazing network of high level bridleways. They cross wild and exposed moorland and reach a considerable height making them the highest mountain biking routes in England outside of the Lake District. This route is not for the faint-hearted, particularly first timers to the area as it crosses high and exposed moorland and the distances and height gain involved are considerable. The best introduction to the style of riding they offer is to tackle the out and back ride up the bridleway that climbs the northern shoulder of Cross Fell from the Pennine village of Garrigill. There is a fair amount of height to gain on this route but it is achieved over 11 kilometres which gives most of the climbs a moderate and mostly cycle-able gradient. Originally published as Route 5 in the Biking around Alston: 5 do-in-a-day rides in the North Pennines AONB (2012).