DNT's beginner courses are held all over the country and are open to anyone who wants to learn more about the outdoors. They are perfect both for those who have hiked a little before and for absolute beginners.
These are practical, hands-on courses. You will get to try your hand at lighting a campfire, outdoor cooking, using a camping stove (primus), navigating with a map and compass, and planning a trip. You will also learn about proper clothing, packing a daypack, the Right to Roam (allemannsretten), trail markings, Leave No Trace principles, camping, and how to use DNT’s cabins.
After completing the course, you will receive a course certificate and a useful handbook on outdoor life.
We Offer Three Types of Beginner Courses:
Introduction to the Outdoors (Day Trips): The goal is to become confident in planning and going on day trips in forests and local fields. The course runs over two days or several evenings, totaling 10 hours.
Introduction to Camping (Overnight Trips): The goal is to learn how to plan and spend a night outdoors. The course includes a planning meeting and one overnight stay in a tent, totaling 20 hours.
Introduction to Mountain Hiking: The goal is to become confident in planning and carrying out multi-day mountain hikes in the summer. This course is run as a cabin-to-cabin trip over three days (two nights).
What You Will Achieve
The goal of these courses is not to prepare you to cross the Hardangervidda plateau on skis, but to give you the skills to enjoy local day trips and overnight camping.
By joining the mountain hiking course, you will learn how to navigate the mountains in the summer and comfortably use DNT's self-service and no-service cabins. Above all, we want to give you the safety, self-confidence, and inspiration to seek out new nature experiences on your own—and to take others along with you!
DNT’s local member associations hold these courses regularly. Get in touch with your local club to find a course near you, or to request a customized course for your specific group.
Please note: Most of these courses are held in Norwegian.
