Uphill path, a track (6)

I believe the answer is:

ascent

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'uphill' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'a track' is the wordplay.
'track' becomes 'scent' (both can mean a trace left by someone).
'a'+'scent'='ASCENT'

'path' acts as a link.
I am not very happy about this link. It may belong to another bit of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for ascent that I've seen before include "Going up" , "Hill" , "Uphill journey" , "way up the mountain" , "Upward climb" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.

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