Laklev four

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I covered most of this route when I walked LakLev3 in October 2023. The two LakLev4 alterations were walked in late March 2024 when it was quite wet under foot.

The first deviation was the alternative climb up from Newby Bridge . This shortens and simplifies the route considerably and is very pleasant walking, other than a section of deep mud at (appropriately) Pig Den.

The second deviation is the off road section at Witherslack Scar (part of LakLev2 but I omitted when I walked LakLev3). I walked this section in reverse and thoroughly enjoyed it. The section through the farm at the west end had to be bypassed on the road due to a waterlogged field.

I would highly recommend this route - challenging in its length, elevation change and terrain, but so worth the effort!.

As described in the overview, I walked this in bits, mostly from Lakeside to Levens on an overcast, damp autumn day. Despite the weather, the autumn colours were spectacular, and it was a very beautiful walk.
I loved the initial, newly-constructed track from Lakeside to Newby Bridge. Totally accessible too, although I was bemused by the fact that the signage specifies No Horses yet the track provides bridleway-type gate-openers and mounting blocks!!
Be aware that there are no facilities at all (apart from the campsite and a holiday let cottage in Witherslack) between Newby Bridge (10% of the way) and the Derby Arms (at 67% of the way).
The busy road crossing of the A590 (on LakLev Three) is avoided on this route. Instead, apart from about 50 metres, the short section of main road from Newby Bridge was paved or had a wide verge. I then walked through the tiny village of Staveley and up into the woods on a rather muddy but pretty track. The ground was quite wet and I had to jump across a small stream in the path to go through a gate into a fell pony field. The path got steeper as I saw a few quiet ponies, before exiting through another gate.
The forests and woods were lovely, hopefully the navigation is reasonably easy as I used more of the forestry routes. The big cairn was particularly useful as the path off was a bit unclear to start with.
The descent through a field to Height Road was not easy. It was grassy, rocky, and steep, and I needed to pick my way around.
The quiet roads through Witherslack and on past the (very welcome) Derby Arms were picturesque and easy. Then there is another quiet road, before the route passes through farms but is, initially, a little tricky to find. The path then passes through the woods on the flanks of the magnificent Whitbarrow Scar. It is an absolute delight. It is higher than the rest of the flood plain, and there are beautiful views across the Kent Estuary as it enters Morecambe Bay.
A little bit more quiet road pacing, with a cycle track interlude, but with the drone from the A590 making its presence felt, and I arrived at Levens.
Generally a really enjoyable route, although it feels quite long.

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