BENSON KNOTT

12 miles. 18 km. Starts not far from Kendal. Hilly but rewarding. The route finishes with fine views over Kendal. The bold figures below are cumulative miles. 1. Leave Kendal by the Shap road A6 and, less than a mile beyond Morrison's supermarket, take a right turn signed Meal Bank. In 0.7 miles (1.1 km) and just before the bridge there is limited parking (g.r. 5353 9518). This point is equally well reached from the Tebay Road A685 by taking the side road to Meal Bank. (Neither approach is covered by our map). Cycle up-river. You pass the mill village of Meal Bank and must complete an ascent of 360' (110m) in 1.3 mile (2.1 km). Then comes an exhilarating descent to Patton Bridge where you cross the Mint. 2. Continue, passing The Borrans farm, and glimpse Whinfell Tarn through a gate at the next j unction. (It is possible to walk round the tarn finishing on the Hyning farm lane.) A right turn (2.6) leads pleasantly to Grayrigg. 3. At Grayrigg (4.5) turn left onto the A685 Appleby road and immediately right. Descend a very narrow lane, deep set between hedges. Cross a beck, then the railway and in 300m at a cross roads turn right to pass Thatchmoor Head. 4. At a T junction (5.4) turn left and shortly right (5.7) to pass Kiln Head. (You have just crossed the Docker - Lambrigg road and are half way round). In a pleasant 1.2 miles (2 km) ignore a side road to Docker on the right (7.3) but then take the next right (7.4) with a blue cycle sign and climb past Cragg Farm. This overall ascent will be 260' (80m) in 0.9 miles (1.5 km) - the hard work is then pretty well over. 5. Meet the A684 (8.5) but avoid it by turning hard right on what was the old Kendal Sedbergh road. Pass the Fisher Tarn Reservoir hidden behind its impressive dam.

6. The road summit is a fine view point. Descend and in 400 m (9.6) turn right (north) into Paddy Lane. A glorious descent follows with fine views over Kendal. The flank of Benson Knott is to your right. 7. Eventually cross the railway line and then join the Appleby Road (11.4) turning right. Soon turn left and a steep descent leads back to the river bridge which you must cross to reach your car.