The Orange Band - Nyberget to Uskavi - 4

Day 5: Nyberget to Garphyttedammen 

Day five was a short day stage taking us halfway through stage 4 as far as Garphyttedammen. The first part was on the road and good tracks along the lake shore. We lunched sat by the trail and then had more ups and downs on the latter part. together with some fine views. Overall, fairly easy going.

The wind shelter was on the shore of a fishing lake - with signs up to be sure you knew what was there for hikers and what was for the fishing club. Another idyllic spot - but busier I imagine at weekends when the anglers are out.

We filled up with water from the lake - filtered and dosed as usual. I was going to go down onto a floating jetty to do that, but thought better of it when I disturbed a viper basking on the boards. Discretion is the better part of valour. 

Day 6: Garphyttedammen to Uskavi

My last day hiking in company was spent hiking in the rain. It varied from downpour to drizzle, but didn't stop until we reached Uskavi. Mostly this stretch was on forest tracks and minor roads and largely good going but other parts were totally waterlogged. 

Constant rain meant no good spot for lunch so we kept going with just regular snack breaks.

Uskavi was a welcome sight - a hostel and campground with on site restaurant - although the restaurant had closed for the season a few days before. The staff were friendly and the little shop had a limited stock of basic foods, snacks and sweets plus some freezer meals.

Our room had double bunkbeds and was soon decorated with soggy camping gear. There was no kitchen in the room - for that you needed to go down to the kitchen in the service house for the campsite. This was in the same building but one story below with a separate entrance, which was fine until it started raining again. Ho hum.

It was nice to round off the first phase of the trip though with a hot shower and a cosy night in the warm.