Levken four

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I live in Kendal, so know much of this route like the back of my hand! Which has both pros and cons as I know the alternatives as well...

The second part of the route as described from the Brigsteer road onwards is a delight, all of which I do on a regular basis, but I didn't really enjoy the initial part from Levens as it was very wet and in places unpleasantly muddy - there is a much better way using a footpath & bridleway to the east which takes you along a higher route to Wells Garth. Or you can continue to stay high, and take in the glorious views from Helsington Church then follow the edge of Scout Scar in its entirety. But this would miss out the admittedly lovely Honeybee Wood.

The 'mushroom' on Scout Scar is a very slight deviation to the right from the path along the edge - it's a superb viewpoint, don't miss the panorama along the underside of the roof! It provides welcome shelter on a windy day so is a popular lunch spot. Note the actual summit with its trig point is off to the right a little to the south, by a wall that crosses over the hillside.

I would also urge you not to miss out the summit of Cunswick Fell - another lovely spot with yet more fantastic views, and only a short deviation from the suggested route. You can even make it a circular by staying low and left to follow the fence along the (by now quite low) escarpment to just below the summit cairn, then come down the broad ridge to pick up the main route down to the footbridge over the bypass.

Once over the bridge and onto Kendal Fell with its golf course, it is usual and perfectly acceptable to deviate slightly off the footpath to take in your third summit of the day, and enjoy some more glorious views from the perfectly positioned bench - another of my favourite places.

The right of way as marked on the map goes straight across two of the fairways, so the golf course have signposted an alternative which starts slightly to the left, drops down the hill a little then traverses round (follow the upper path above the benches) to enter Serpentine Woods a short distance below the ROW. Take the left hand path at the fork and follow it down to the steps and thence the road.

Take care going down the steep steps and cobbles of the ginnel - they are extremely slippy when wet!.

Lovely walk with outstanding views of the Kent Estuary, Lakeland Fells and across to the Howgills.
Points to note from our walk.
The path through Brigsteer Park was wet and boggy, however, this was after a period of prolonged and heavy rain. Locals we met en route suggested that there were alternative paths to get you from Levens to Wells Garth, where you can pick up the route again. The 'mushroom' shelter is a good place to take a break and take in the views. Continue to follow the route to Kendal, if time permits it's worth taking a small detour on Crunswick Fell up to the Cairn for more excellent views of the Lakeland Fells. Retrace your steps back down Crunswick Fell and rejoin the route to cross the A591via a footbridge and progressing on to Kendal Fell and the golf course. Take care to follow the designated signage on the course and in particular to follow the alternative route sign just after the summit. This descends (slippy in wet conditions) towards Serpentine Woods and into Kendal though a stepped footpath and interesting side streets before reaching the centre and finish at the bus station.

This was a lovely route, even on a dull, damp autumn day. After walking through the lower part of the pretty village of Levens, the route goes along the bottom of the wooded slope of Brigsteer Park, with views across the marshes towards Whitbarrow and the River Kent estuary. The path can be a bit muddy. On leaving the wood through a gate follow the edge of the field with the woods on your left along an obvious rising path. At Parkend Lane follow the footpath signs up to Wells Garth. Just after the stream and gate, the most straightforward path is to the right ie south east. It is a bit steep and rubbly but will soon bring you to the very pleasant wooded and then moss-walled lane. A footpath off the next farm track leads into the gorgeous Honeybee Wood which is full of beech trees. Footpath signs at Barrowfield Farm direct you around the buildings and up through the field to more woods and the steep path climbing up Scout Scar. Even on a dull day the views from the top are phenomenal! The drop down the scar could be dangerous but there are paths well away from the edge. There is a “mushroom” covered shelter with seats at the viewpoint.
After the easy descent, cross the road and use the wooded footpath by the old quarry car park around to the mast. The path leads onto a long section of easy walking across open, grassy sheep pasture, and around the corner into a field which leads to a footbridge over the busy A591 Kendal Bypass.
There are good views of Kendal from the golf course, but I found the footpath signposting to be unclear, but the trodden paths take you in to descend through Serpentine Wood, which is very nice but watch out for the steps. From Queens Road, it is easy to miss the entrance to the steep cobbled footpath down the hill! The route then follows a quick and pleasant path through Nobles Rest Park to the bus station.
See LevKen One for my survey, as this is a more accurate version of route One.

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