Laklev two

Slow Way not verified yet. Verify Laklev here.

I made some alterations to straighten and simplify the route. It is a long route with a lot of elevation change, so for some people conserving energy and minimising the need for navigation may be preferred. The modified route took me 6 hours and I would give that 4 stars.
I walked this route on a calm, overcast day in October and enjoyed it. The highlights for me were the view looking back over Lake Windermere on the long climb to 200m elevation, and the contrasting woodland and grazed fell sections over the tops.

The route changes were as followed:
1) A gated but accessible, gravel path has been built between Lakeside and Newby Bridge. Fast progress and more interesting (alongside the railway and lake) than the woodland walks it replaces.
2) The section starting at SD3875 8565 (start of fell tops) is a footpath meandering either side of the main forest track. I found it wasn't well way-marked and found myself wading through (admittedly very beautiful) undergrowth on part of the first section. So I stayed on the gravel track until I reached the cairn that marks the start of the more distinctly waymarked path at SD 3926 8555.
3) The section across open farmland (back at sea-level - very wet underfoot) starting at the footpath crossroads at SD 42447 85772 was slow to navigate because of additional wire fencing subdividing one of the fields. An alternative may be to go straight on instead of turning right and then make good progress on the minor road.
4) Once I was on the road to Witherslack I lost interest in attractive side routes, so I stuck to Church Road all the way, except for the deviation via Latterbarrow. I walked past the school at 3pm on a weekday but despite this there wasn't much traffic. At Latterbarrow, the partly-overgrown path goes through two residential properties.
5) After leaving Witherslack on the quiet 70 cycle route (turn left by the Derby Arms), I followed this all the way to Levens, missing out the detour through Mill Side.

When you finally arrive at the route end in Levens, the Hare and Hounds Inn looks very inviting. However, if you're catching a bus home, check whether your bus stops in the village, or on the A590 about 1 mile either side of Levens (at Gilpin and Heaves). The walk through the village to the Heaves A590 bus stop is over a hill, and, with tired legs, was possibly the hardest part of the entire route!

Jenny.

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