The second deviation is the off road section at Witherslack Scar (part of LakLev2 but I omitted when I walked LakLev3)....

Jenny Sanderson

I loved the initial, newly-constructed track from Lakeside to Newby Bridge. 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. Then there is another quiet road, before the route passes through farms but is, initially, a little tricky to find....

Mary Oz

Apart from about 50 metres, the short section of main road from Newby Bridge was paved or had a wide verge. I passed a lovely barn and more sheep pasture, with views towards the top of Morecambe Bay, before reaching a short road section near Cartmel Fell and Pool Garth. Another field crossing, heading towards Lobby Bridge, ended with a field that was waterlogged so I skirted around the edge. I crossed another field here to Scale Hill, with the intention of following field paths to Broad Oak, but they ended up being so waterlogged and flooded, that I walked along the road instead. (This route is what I walked, if it’s wet, a bit more road would shorten it, if it’s dry, field paths would avoid the road for longer.)....

Mary Oz

In particular, I loved the initial, newly-constructed track from Lakeside to Newby Bridge. 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 69% of the way). The quiet roads through Witherslack and on past the Derby Arms were picturesque and easy, but there was a constant drone from the A590 nearby....

Mary Oz

See the route Overview for my experiences when walking this route....

Jenny Sanderson

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.....

Jenny Sanderson

What a great walk! Starting at Lakeside where there is an Aquarium, café and hotel. The route takes you to the left of the Lakeside Hotel on road side before branching off into countryside. Part of the route is now benefiting from a new cycle path with a few gates. Onwards it heads along tree sheltered pathways and alongside the lake. Beautiful views of the lake and fells. Some time further on you will approach the ferry which takes you across the lake towards Bowness. A short walk takes you into Bowness where there are ample shops and a good bus network...

Anthony Aldred

Pictures 2 & 3: The path through fields from Crook Hill past Harebridge House is horrible, almost impassable, due to bog, gorse, and no visible path through high and scratchy plants....

Mary Oz

It starts with a pretty woodland path alongside and sometimes above the road to Newby Bridge (where there is a useful bus stop), although there is still some road walking necessary. The road to Hazelrigg is very quiet, and becomes a gravel track to Field End, and then a grassy track alongside a dry-stone wall. Only the last short road section, marked “The Level”, is busier, but there are good sightlines and the drivers were very considerate. The road is mostly very quiet though, with considerate drivers (they’re used to walkers in the Lake District)....

Mary Oz

This is pleasant easy walking, much of it along quiet country roads and close to the beautiful River Leven....

JimK

On reaching the western side, the route follows the lovely lake, sometimes on quiet roads, and sometimes on gorgeous footpaths next to the lake or through woods. I was tempted to drop a star because of this road section, but as far as I can tell, there is very little alternative, the land owners around here are very exclusive; and overall the route is gorgeous!...

Mary Oz

For about half the length of the road from Lakeside to Newby Bridge, which has lots of careful tourist drivers restricted to 30mph, it is necessary to walk on the road, but there is a pleasant woodland footpath along and above the road for half of it. There are nice views as you walk between the wall and the woods. After crossing the road above Backbarrow, there is a footpath through the woods, which is very nice apart from the noise of traffic on the A590. There is a footpath under the A590, but it could be fairly easy to miss it and cross the road itself....

Mary Oz

Route a little unclear at Greenodd - you can go under the A590 rather than cross it but not very clear on approach. Padlocked gate after crossing the river at Greenodd....

Pete & Julia