The natural habitats of Norway's wild reindeer are under severe pressure. The Norwegian government is currently developing action plans to improve the situation, and DNT is fully committed to contributing to this vital work. Below, you can read more about our specific efforts.
The wild reindeer in Norway have seen their habitats shrink continuously due to piecemeal land development ("bit-for-bit" development). A recent classification of Norway’s 24 wild reindeer areas revealed that half of them are in poor ecological condition. To improve living conditions for the reindeer, the Government is introducing comprehensive action plans.
Key measures being implemented in Rondane and the Dovrefjell mountains:
Decommissioning approximately 60 kilometers of hiking trails in Rondane and Dovrefjell.
Further restricting opening hours at Reinheim and the majority of the self-service and no-service cabins in Rondane. These cabins will now remain completely closed from Easter Monday until June 18th.
Closing the self-service facilities at Rondvassbu, Grimsdalshytta, and Bjørnhollia during the off-season. Consequently, these lodges will only be accessible during their fully staffed seasons.
Shortening the period during which several summer footbridges in Rondane are deployed.
The Ministry of Climate and Environment is also developing action plans for the Hardangervidda and Setesdal-Ryfylke/Setesdal Austhei regions, which were sent out for public consultation in July 2025. In connection with this, DNT has announced several proactive measures we intend to carry out.
Key measures planned for Hardangervidda, Setesdal, and Ryfylke:
Permanently closing five cabins: Torehytten on Hardangervidda; Storsteinen, Grasdalen, and Eidavatn in Ryfylke; and Øyuvsbu in Setesdal.
Decommissioning 125 kilometers of trails on Hardangervidda and in Ryfylke/Setesdal, as well as rerouting an additional 73 kilometers of trails on Hardangervidda.
Further restricting opening hours at several other cabins.
Converting Litlos from a staffed lodge into a self-service cabin.
We firmly believe that it is fundamentally valuable for people to experience vast, uninterrupted natural landscapes, such as the mountain habitats of the wild reindeer. When people spend time in nature, they develop a deep appreciation for it and a desire to protect it.
During the development of these government action plans, several proposals were introduced that will have major consequences for outdoor recreation and for DNT. We believe it is crucial to find balanced solutions that protect both the wild reindeer and the long-standing tradition of outdoor life.
DNT's Official Feedback and Submissions
DNT’s central organization has submitted comprehensive, overarching feedback to the government action plans for Knutshø, Snøhetta, Rondane, Hardangervidda, Setesdal Ryfylke, and Setesdal Austhei. In addition, several of our local member associations have submitted their own independent consultation responses (høringssvar).
Please note: All policy documents, submissions, and articles linked on this page are available in Norwegian only.
DNT central's consultation response - Hardangervidda, Setesdal and Ryfylke
DNT supports the goal of improving the living conditions of wild reindeer, and will contribute through concrete measures. The Ministry emphasises that it is a goal to find comprehensive solutions for the grid that free up areas for wild reindeer, but at the same time maintain a coherent grid in less vulnerable areas. DNT supports this approach, and believes that the action plans should serve as a framework for further planning. Furthermore, DNT warns against general traffic restrictions without a sufficient knowledge base.
DNT central's consultation response - Snøhetta and Rondane
DNT shares the concern for the wild reindeer. In order to improve the living conditions of the wild reindeer, it is crucial to stop further deconstruction. DNT believes that the level of ambition for land management in and around the wild reindeer areas must be far higher. While we understand that in special cases there is a need to regulate traffic outside protected areas, we believe this must be the last resort. We call for a more thorough assessment of the need for permanent traffic regulations.
DNT Oslo og Omegn's consultation response - Snøhetta
DNT Oslo and Omegn supports the intention that the least invasive measures are introduced first in order to experience and assess the effect of these. The association will follow up on the proposal to assess traffic on Snøheimvegen, including the number of bus departures for the Snøheim bus. DNT Oslo and Omegn supports the closure of the trail in Stroplsjødalen, and that the opening hours at Reinheim can be significantly reduced.
DNT Oslo og Omegn's consultation response - Rondane
DNT Oslo and Omegn supports the intention that the least invasive measures are introduced first in order to experience and assess the effect of these. The self-service quarters at Grimsdalshytta, Rondvassbu and Bjørnhollia can be closed to protect the wild reindeer in winter, in addition to during the calving season. All our cabins are closed in the period 2 Easter Sunday to 18 June. The paths from Høvringen and towards Dørålen, Haverdalsseter and Rondvassbu can be closed. The path from Bjørnhollia to Eldåbu is proposed to be considered more closely before it is possibly closed. DNT Oslo and Omegn supports that parking at Spranget must be regulated.
DNT Lillehammer wants to contribute to implementing the action plan for the Rondane wild reindeer area, and the association is prepared to adjust the opening and closing times of our cabins. We want to contribute to information about wild reindeer-friendly traffic both on our joint trips and for people on self-organized trips.
Kristiansund and Nordmøre Trekking Association's consultation response
KNT supports the intention that the least invasive measures are introduced first in order to experience and assess their effect. The closure of Torbuhalsen will have major consequences for Aursjøhytta. Camping bans and closure of roads along Aursjøvegen may have consequences for the association's access to the operation of Raubergshytta. KNT sees a need to be given
access to any barrier to operate the cabin. Reduced opening hours at Reinheim as well as laying down trails in Stroplsjødalen will be expected to have consequences for Åmotdalshytta and the cabins in the route network further west in the mountains.
DNT Sør takes responsibility and shares the concern for the situation of the wild reindeer, and is concerned with creating an outdoor life with the smallest possible footprint for nature and wildlife. DNT Sør is willing to implement measures that are limiting for outdoor life, but is concerned that such measures must be accurate, based on the best possible knowledge and decided after a careful balance. A restructuring of the cabin and route services at Rosskreppfjorden is what affects DNT South's activities to the greatest extent. DNT South is positive to the measure and will work for more wild reindeer-friendly traffic and a continued good offer to the general public.
DNT Oslo og Omegn's consultation response - Hardangervidda
DNT Oslo and the surrounding area will contribute to improving the wild reindeer's habitats, and proposes, among other things, the following: to close down Torehytten, with associated paths to and from Tyssevassbu,
Litlos and Hadlaskard, that Litlos is changed from a serviced to a self-service cabin, that the opening hours of all the cabins are coordinated, so that from mid-September to the last weekend in June it is only open during Easter plus 14 days. The measures in DNT's cabin and route network will be implemented step by step, in line with the revision of the quality norm that will be reviewed every four years. For DNT Oslo and the surrounding area, it is important that the entirety and coherence of the route network must be ensured - so that the routes remain logical and safe.
The Stavanger Trekking Association (STF) is concerned with improving the living conditions of the wild reindeer, and will contribute to this. The main approach in the action plan for STF is a comprehensive restructuring of the cabin and route network. Furthermore, STF is concerned that measures that can best improve the condition are prioritised and that the measures must be knowledge-based. STF believes that the action plan that is adopted should form the framework for what measures are to be implemented, so that the focus can be directed towards the implementation of what is now being decided.
DNT Drammen and the surrounding area supports the goal of improving the living conditions of the wild reindeer on Hardangervidda. At the same time, we believe that the measures must be designed so that outdoor recreation, safe travel and public access to the mountains are safeguarded. We see that the challenges are greatest on the western plateau, and that measures are prioritized there. On the eastern plateau, measures must be adapted to lower traffic pressure and other land use of wild reindeer. DNT Drammen will strengthen Solheimstulen as a starting point for day trips to reduce traffic further into wild reindeer areas, and reroute the route Imingfjell - Solheimstulen.
Aust Agder Trekking Association's consultation response
AAT is positive to the preparation of action plans for wild reindeer and considers this to be absolutely necessary
to improve the living conditions of the wild reindeer, and will reduce limbing in Setesdal Austhei Nord.
Bergen and Hordaland Hiking Association's consultation response
Bergen and Hordaland Turlag (BHT) will help promote more wild reindeer-friendly traffic, so that we get wild reindeer populations in good condition, while at the same time more people can take part in an active, versatile and nature-friendly outdoor life. BHT will close Hadlaskard for the winter and remove from Torehytten in the direction of Stavali.
DNT Telemark wants to contribute to an improved condition for wild reindeer. DNT Telemark believes there is a need for coordinated management and comprehensive and balanced solutions. The association will work to develop Mogen as a "base cabin" to reduce traffic to Gjuvsjåen and to Stordalsbu.
