There were a few gullies crossing the path after CP4 but unless it was raining i wouldn't use them.

Is it mandatory to follow the path after the farm gate at the start? During my recce i followed a clearing in the gorse which leads straight up the hillside (steep) and then i went right at the top to meet the path by a small stream, this cut a corner which the Harvey map instructed me to follow round the long way. I'm only asking in case i could get disqualified for cutting the corner.