The habitats of the wild reindeer are under pressure. The government is currently working on action plans to improve the situation, and DNT wants to contribute to this important work. Here you can read more about how.
Due to piece-by-piece development, the wild reindeer in Norway have less and less living space. A classification of Norway's 24 wild reindeer areas shows that half of them are in poor condition. To improve living conditions for the reindeer, the Government is working on specific action plans.
As part of these plans, DNT is making several changes to its services. If you are planning a trip, you can always find updated information about open cabins and marked trails on the route planner UT.no.
DNT’s Measures for Wild Reindeer on Hardangervidda
The action plan for Hardangervidda was presented in July 2026. In connection with this, DNT announced several changes. Some of these have already been carried out as of July 2026, while others will be implemented in the coming years.
Here is an overview of the most important measures on Hardangervidda:
Close three cabins: Lågaros, Hadlaskard, and Torehytten. Torehytten was closed in the first half of 2026, while a plan is being made for the closing of Lågaros and Hadlaskard (these cabins will be open the summer of 2026)
Remove around 285 kilometers of trails.
Limit the opening hours at several cabins. Multiple cabins will only be open from late June to mid-September, as well as during Easter plus two additional weeks.
Change the staffed cabin Litlos on Hardangervidda into a self-service cabin.
Close Hellevassbu during the summer season, so the cabin is only open during the winter season.
Close the self-service facilities at Mårbu and Rauhelleren. These cabins will now only be open during the staffed season.
Strengthen cabins like Mogen and Solheimstulen as starting points for day trips, in order to reduce traffic further into the wild reindeer areas.
Reroute several trails.
DNT’s Measures for Wild Reindeer in Rondane and Dovrefjell
The action plans for the Snøhetta and Rondane wild reindeer areas were approved in September 2025. As part of this work, DNT has made several changes to its services to protect the wild reindeer.
Here is an overview of the most important measures in Rondane and on Dovrefjell:
Remove around 60 kilometers of trails in Rondane and on Dovrefjell.
Shorten the opening hours at Reinheim and most of the self-service and unstaffed cabins in Rondane, meaning these cabins will be closed from Easter Monday until June 18th.
Close the self-service facilities at Rondvassbu, Grimsdalshytta, and Bjørnhollia. These cabins will now only be open during the staffed season.
Limit the period when several of the summer bridges in Rondane are put out.
DNT’s Measures for Wild Reindeer in Ryfylke and Setesdal
The Government is also working on an action plan for the Setesdal and Ryfylke wild reindeer areas. As part of this work, DNT has announced several changes. This plan has not yet been final approved by the Government.
Here is an overview of the most important measures in Ryfylke/Setesdal Vesthei and Setesdal Austhei:
Remove Storsteinshytta and its connecting trails, and build a new and smaller cabin by Helvetesvatnet in Hjelmeland municipality.
Remove the trails from Storsteinen to Litle Aurådalen and Kringlevatn (around 24 km).
Remove the cabins Grasdalen and Eidavatn, and replace them with a new cabin further north in Grasdalen. The trail network in the area will also be updated to allow for a round-trip route between the cabins Stakken, New Grasdalen, and Nilsebu.
Reroute the main north-south route (Ryger) to a path west of the Svartevassmagasinet reservoir, ending in Lysebotn. The cabin at Kringlevatn will see a major reduction in use because the trail between Kringlevatn and Storsteinen is being removed.
Close Øyuvsbu and change the cabin and trail network near Rosskreppfjorden. Consider closing or moving two additional cabins and 71 km of trails.
Reduce winter trail marking (with branches) in Setesdal Austhei Nord.
Protecting What We Love
We firmly believe that it is fundamentally valuable for people to experience pristine, untouched 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 below 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 emphasizes that it is a goal to find comprehensive solutions for the network that free up areas for wild reindeer, but at the same time maintain a coherent network 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.
Read the full consultation response here (Norwegian only)
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 and land fragmentation. 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.
Read the full consultation response here (Norwegian only)
DNT Oslo og Omegn's consultation response - Snøhetta
DNT Oslo og 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 the Snøheimvegen road, including the number of bus departures for the Snøheim bus. DNT Oslo og Omegn supports the closure of the trail in Stroplsjødalen, and agrees that the opening hours at Reinheim can be significantly reduced.
DNT Oslo og Omegn's Consultation Response – Rondane
DNT Oslo og 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 will be closed in the period from Easter Monday to June 18th. The paths from Høvringen and towards Dørålen, Haverdalsseter, and Rondvassbu can be closed. It is proposed that the path from Bjørnhollia to Eldåbu be considered more closely before it is possibly closed. DNT Oslo og Omegn supports that parking at Spranget must be regulated.
Read the full consultation response here (Norwegian only)
DNT Lillehammer's Consultation Response
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 group trips and for people on self-organized trips.
Read the full consultation response here (Norwegian only)
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 the 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 through any barrier to operate the cabin. Reduced opening hours at Reinheim as well as laying down trails in Stroplsjødalen are expected to have consequences for Åmotdalshytta and the cabins in the route network further west in the mountains.
Read the full consultation response here (Norwegian only)
DNT South's Consultation Response
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 Sør's activities to the greatest extent. DNT Sør is positive toward the measure and will work for more wild reindeer-friendly traffic and a continued good offer to the general public.
Read the full consultation response here (Norwegian only)
DNT Oslo og Omegn's Consultation Response – Hardangervidda
DNT Oslo og Omegn will contribute to improving the wild reindeer's habitats and proposes, among other things, the following: to close down Torehytten, along with its associated paths to and from Tyssevassbu, Litlos, and Hadlaskard; that Litlos is changed from a staffed to a self-service cabin; and that the opening hours of all the cabins are coordinated so that from mid-September to the last weekend in June, they are 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 og Omegn, it is important that the entirety and coherence of the route network must be ensured – so that the routes remain logical and safe.
Stavanger Turistforening (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 prioritized 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 focus can be directed toward the implementation of what is now being decided.
Read the full consultation response here (Norwegian only)
DNT Drammen og Omegn's Consultation Response
DNT Drammen og Omegn 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 should be prioritized there. On the eastern plateau, measures must be adapted to lower traffic pressure and different land use by the 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 between Imingfjell and Solheimstulen.
AAT is positive toward 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 the association will reduce winter trail marking (kvisting/stimerking) in Setesdal Austhei Nord.
Read the full consultation response here (Norwegian only)
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 ensuring more people can take part in an active, versatile, and nature-friendly outdoor life. BHT will close Hadlaskard for the winter and remove the trail section from Torehytten in the direction of Stavali.
Read the full consultation response here (Norwegian only)
DNT Telemark's Consultation Response
DNT Telemark wants to contribute to an improved condition for wild reindeer. DNT Telemark believes there is a need for coordinated management and comprehensive, balanced solutions. The association will work to develop Mogen as a "base cabin" to reduce traffic extending out to Gjuvsjåen and to Stordalsbu.
