You might not know that there's a footbridge down on the Dales Way which necessitates a detour. This is at the River Mint, just north of Kendal. After you cross the A685 the signposted path takes you up a farm lane, then left through the fence and across a field. At the top of a hillock you'll see a new yellow arrow which points right over a precipice. Beyond this almost sheer drop you'll find the place where the bridge used to be.

There is a diversion (don't go through the fence but continue up the tarmac road to the farm)but it doesn't please the farmer and he seems to have gone out of his way to mislead you. In fact, we had inadvertantly taken the diversionary route which goes through the farmyard (Thursgill Farm). The farmer himself kindly came out of his house, enquired sweetly if we were lost, and misdirected us back to the broken footbridge! Needless to say, there were no signs remaining to tell us otherwise.It cost us an hour and a twisted ankle. Read the map carefully and treat this particular farmer with the contempt he deserves!

Diversion to avoid the bridge is cleary indicated in Dales way Association web site.I met early in May two canadians who could not find the diversion by the Paton Bridge and explained the level of water was very small and so easy to go over.But going via and crossing the Paton bridge is easy and safe.