A 3.4km walk on a Forestry Commission walking trail and then roughing it up the hill.Route: leaving the car in the free car park at Noble Knott and taking the Heavy Sides trail clockwise, descending slightly near the start and then rising in a circuit on a path, a wider track and then left on a path again into dark forest. Where the path emerged from forestry to pass open fellside, climbing a stout metal gate and heading pathlessly up to the approximate summit of Kinn (374m), but staying on the nearside of the crossing fence. Then descending to a distant footbridge to rejoin the path by simply stepping over a low wooden fence. Following the marked footpath downhill, still clockwise, to the start.
Conditions: chilly in the woods but surprisingly warm and sunny afterwards.
Pub: the Coledale Inn, Braithwaite, for Corby Blonde, sitting outside and talking to a couple about the rightness of early retirement.
