We were relieved to wake to a much brighter calmer day. With all our clothes washed and dried we were ready to set off again. We left Keswick just before 10am, passing over the very full River Greta to reach the lake side at the North West edge.
We followed the woodland path to Hawes End, then down to the waters edge at Victoria Bay. There were great views across the lake towards Skiddaw and Blencathra. The lake looked so calm and beautiful in the sunshine, a complete contrast to the angry uninviting one of the previous day.
The water level around Brandelhow Bay was very high, with the footpath underwater in places.
As we reached the end of Derwent Water the path headed through bracken and across boardwalks over marshy areas towards Grange. The wooded peak of Castle Crag stood directly ahead in the sunshine, marking the entrance to Borrowdale.
It was a very pleasant walk through the Borrowdale woodlands close to the River Derwent. The trees now mask much of the remains of the quarries that once covered Castle Crag. An amazing mix of colours are noticeable in the slate here.
Shortly after emerging from the trees, we crossed the River Derwent via a packhorse bridge and then left it behind to reach the pretty village of Rosthwaite.
The path leaves Rosthwaite via a walled track into the steep sided valley of Stonethwaite with Eagle Crag dominating the view ahead.
We stopped for our packed lunch looking back across Stonethwaite Beck with Dale Head and High Spy clearly in view.
We heard Galleny Force more than we saw it. There was far more water in the beck than the last time we were here (walking the Inn Way to the Lake District). At the base of Eagle Crag where Greenup Gill and Langstrath Beck converge the path crosses the smaller river to head up the beautiful wilder Langstrath valley.
The Herdwick sheep thrive well in these remote areas, and seemed to really be enjoying the afternoon sunshine.
We now felt really in the heart of Cumbria. This section proved to be our favourite of the walk with incredible scenery all around.
As we reached the footbridge across Stake Beck the path turned steeply upwards beside the tumbling beck, the view expanding with every step.
At the end of the climb up Stake Pass the path levelled out to cross Langdale Combe, the boggy watershed between Langstrath and Langdale. Ahead we could see the shadowy bulk of Bowfell Buttress and Great Slab. Very close to our left was the pointed peak of Pike of Stickle.
Very soon we began the steep descent beside Stake Gill into Mickleden, with amazing views along the length of Great Langdale.
The track along Mickleden was still very wet from the previous two days of rain. We passed by the Old Dungeon Ghyll hotel to reach Millbeck Farm B&B.
Evening Meal: Sticklebarn Tavern - Good basic food, good choice of beer
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