Leave your car at home and make the most of the season! Traveling by public transport across Norway is eco-friendly, relaxing, and gives you more time to enjoy the views. Going car-free also lets you start and end your hike in different places, maximizing your adventure.
Whether you want to trek from cabin to cabin, conquer a mountain summit, or find a scenic swimming spot, public transport can take you straight into the wilderness.
Find a Cabin That Suits Your Holiday
Ekkertind is only a nice hike from Vollasetra in Sunndalsfjella/Trollheimen.
DNT operates over 600 cabins across the country, with three different service levels:
Staffed Lodges (Betjente hytter): Full board is provided with local meals served by welcoming hosts. Self-Service Cabins (Selvbetjente hytter): These feature an on-site food pantry where you can buy ingredients to cook your own meals. Unserviced Cabins (Ubetjente hytter): No food is provided; you must bring all your own provisions.
Vollasetra is a beautiful, historic mountain farm located above Vollan Farm in Sunndal. Its spectacular location makes it a premier starting point for hikes into the Trollheimen mountains and up to the iconic Ekkertinden peak.
How to get here: Take the bus to Gjøra, followed by a short but steep marked trail up to the cabin. Open all year round.
How to get here: Take the bus to Gjøra, followed by a short but steep marked trail up to the cabin. Open all year round.
Most of DNT's cabins are self-service (with provisions) and no-service cabins (without provisions). Here you will find out what you need to think about before you go on a cabin trip to a cabin without staff.
Hallingskeid tourist cabin sits in an open, high-mountain terrain suitable for adventures in all seasons. The area offers endless opportunities for hiking, skiing, fishing, and swimming. Best of all, you can step off the train and right up to the cabin door.
How to get here: Take the Bergen Railway directly to Hallingskeid Station. Open all year round.
This charming tourist cabin is nestled in the cozy, roadless village of Flørli in the heart of the Lysefjord. Boasting a short distance to the world-famous 4,444 Flørli Stairs, easy access from the ferry pier, and its own dedicated children's playroom, this is an incredibly accessible getaway for the whole family.
How to get here: Take the regional ferry to Flørli quay. Open all year round.
Kvinen is nestled in the mountain birch forest just below the tree line on the border between the Sirdalsheiene and Setesdalsheiene mountains. Built on the site of a historic trail station, these modern cabins pair striking, resilient architecture with contemporary interiors. The most common route is an easy 2–3 hour hike from Donsen.
How to get here: Take the bus to Tjørholm. (Tip: It is often possible to arrange a local minibus connection from Tjørholm up to the Donsen trailhead. Check details on UT.no).
To ensure a smooth trip and guarantee your bed, we highly recommend booking your stay ahead of time. Please note that most coastal cabins and several unserviced cabins (ubetjente hytter) must be booked in advance.
This applies to coastal cabins, but also to many popular unserviced cabins located in the forests close to urban areas. Because these cabins are easily accessible from where people live, they fill up quickly, especially on weekends.
How to Book:
You can easily plan your stay and reserve your beds online. For a complete step-by-step guide on how the system works, visit the DNT Cabin Booking Information Page.
How to Pay for Extras:
If you are visiting a self-service cabin with a food pantry, or if you make any drop-in changes during your stay, you can easily register and pay on-site using your smartphone. Read more about downloading and using the app here: DNT Cabin Payment App.
Græslihytta (Tydal)
Perched freely just below the treeline, Græslihytta offers sweeping, panoramic views of the Tydalen valley and the striking peaks of Hyllingen, Blåhammaren, and Bringen.
How to get here: Take the bus to Gressli in Tydal, followed by a short, steep, well-marked path up to the cabin. Open all year round.
Lønsstua serves as your gateway to the high-alpine wonderland of the Saltfjellet mountains. Offering premier hiking terrain right outside the door, it is incredibly easy to access by rail.
How to get here: Take the train directly to Lønsdal Station, located just a short walk from the cabin. Open all year round. Travel Planner:Lønsdal station
If you are dreaming of standing atop Besseggen or exploring Jotunheimen this summer, you don't need a car, the bus routes go all the way to the trailheads.
At DNT’s staffed mountain lodges, you can enjoy three-course meals made with local ingredients and relax in the care of local hosts.
Staffed lodges you can reach by public transport:
Gjendebu (Jotunheimen)
Gjendebu is beautifully situated at the western end of Lake Gjende, right in the heart of Jotunheimen National Park. Built in 1871, it is DNT's oldest cabin. Sitting at 990 meters above sea level where the high mountains meet lush birch forests, the emerald-green waters of Lake Gjende sit just below.
How to get here: Take the bus to the Gjendesheim stop, followed by a scenic boat cruise across the lake on the Gjende boat.
Gjendesheim (Jotunheimen)
From Gjendesheim, you can embark on the world-famous Besseggen ridge hike. The lodge sits right at the edge of the mountains, making it a classic hub for hikers.
How to get here: Take the express bus directly to the Gjendesheim bus stop.
Warm, historic, and highly idyllic, Sota Sæter consists of a traditional farm courtyard surrounded by the dramatic contrasts of Breheimen, where lgreen valleys meet raw glaciers. The lodge features celebrated culinary traditions, an on-site sauna, and nature trails for the whole family.
How to get here: Take public transport to the Sota Sæter stop. (Note: On certain days the bus drives all the way to the lodge; otherwise, a connecting taxi can be booked from: Dønfoss.
Geiterygghytta (Skarvheimen)
Geiterygghytta sits at 1,224 meters above sea level in the wild heart of Skarvheimen, the mountain bridge connecting Hardangervidda and Jotunheimen. The surrounding trail network is exceptionally well-developed.
How to get here: Daily summer buses stop at Geiteryggen East/West, corresponding directly with trains arriving from both Oslo and Bergen. Travel Planner: Geiteryggen east and west
Haukeliseter (Ryfylkeheiene)
This bustling mountain lodge is perfectly situated with Hardangervidda National Park directly to the north and the expansive Ryfylkeheiene and Setesdalsheiene to the south. It offers everything from simple dorms to premium rooms, serving as a base for endless alpine tracks.
How to get here: The Haukeliekspressen express bus drops you off right at the front door. Open all year round. Travel Planner: Haukeliseter (link to Entur)
Gjevilvasshytta (Trollheimen)
Voted one of Norway's most beautiful traditional cabins, Gjevilvasshytta rests majestically like a historic estate on the hillsides above Lake Gjevilvatnet. It oozes early 1900s charm and serves as a primary gateway into the fairytale landscapes of Trollheimen.
How to get here: Take the regional bus (Line 580) directly from Oppdal train station straight to the cabin. Travel Planner: Gjevilvasshytta (link to Entur)
Mogen (Hardangervidda)
Mogen Turisthytte is magnificently situated at the far western edge of Lake Møsvatn. It is a brilliant base for fishing, day trips, or deep wilderness treks.
How to get here: Take the bus to Skinnarbu. From there, the historic veteran boat M/B Fjellvåken takes you on a stunning 1-hour cruise across Lake Møsvatn to the pier. From the pier, it is a flat 4-kilometer walk to the lodge. Travel Planner: Skinnarbu (link to Entur)
Green Travel Reward
If you travel by bus to select DNT cabins participating in our Green Travel Card (Grønt Kort) initiative, you will receive a NOK 100 gift card to use during your stay!
DNT is far more than just mountain peaks. A holiday along the Norwegian coast offers island idylls, salt spray in your hair, sun-warmed rocks, pristine kayaking waters, and endless coastal paths.
Suggestions for cabins on the coast you can reach by public transport:
Gressholmen: Babord & Styrbord (Oslofjord)
Idyllically located on an island in the inner Oslofjord, the DNT cabins Babord and Styrbord offer fantastic panoramic views out over the water toward the city skyline. While Babord must be rented in its entirety, Styrbord operates as an unserviced cabin where you can book individual beds.
How to get here: Take the regular public island ferry from Rådhusbrygge 4 (City Hall Pier) in central Oslo.
Tømmerstø is situated by the sea in Kristiansand’s beautiful eastern archipelago. The area offers great coastal hiking paths, endless swimming spots, kayak rentals, and local boat transport to explore the surrounding islands.
How to get here: Easily accessible by local city bus routes from Kristiansand.
Flokehyttene consist of five architectural cabins wedged into the rock crevices at the far edge of the Ryvarden headland in Sveio. Built with massive panoramic windows, they let you sit in warm, protected comfort while watching the raw North Sea crash against the shore below.
How to get here: Take the bus to Mølstrevåg, followed by a scenic walk out to the headland.
If you are planning a trip along the coast, please note that most coastal cabins must be booked in advance.
This applies to coastal cabins, but also to many popular unserviced cabins located in the forests close to urban areas. Because these cabins are easily accessible from where people live, they fill up quickly, especially on weekends.
How to Book:
You can easily plan your stay and reserve your beds online. For a complete step-by-step guide on how the system works, visit the DNT Cabin Booking Information Page.
Kinn (Sunnfjord)
Located on the legendary island of Kinn furthest west in the sea near Florø, this cabin gives you direct access to historic medieval churches, dramatic coastal cliffs, and pristine paddling routes.
How to get here: Take the local scheduled passenger boat from Florø harbor to Kinn quay, followed by a flat 1 km walk along a gravel road. Open all year round.
Perched on the northwestern tip of the famous bird island of Runde, this self-service cabin is housed within the historic, protected buildings of the Runde Lighthouse. The island is home to roughly 500,000 nesting seabirds (including puffins).
How to get here: Take the bus to the Goksøyr turnaround, and follow the marked coastal trail up over the mountain to the lighthouse. Open all year.
Practicing "Leave No Trace" means that no one should be able to tell you’ve been there after you leave. We want to enjoy nature without leaving a mark.
Gjælentunet is a charming coastal property located just outside Bodø. The facility features four individual cabins, a boathouse, and rowboats available for guest use. It is also home to Egnarbua, the lowest-lying DNT cabin in the country, sitting just two meters above high tide.
How to get here: Take the regional bus to Gjælen (summer route) or Snekkvik (winter school route). Check UT.no for seasonal schedules. Open all year.
SignaTur Gullruta in the Etne mountains offers green valleys and beautiful mountains, like here at Simlebu.
Treat yourself to a spectacular milestone experience by completing a long-distance, cabin-to-cabin trek. DNT's SignaTur network consists of handpicked, premier routes traversing world-class natural and cultural landscapes. Because you move entirely on foot for many days, these long journeys represent the ultimate in sustainable travel.
Examples of long trips you can reach by public transport:
SignaTur: Stølsheimen
Experience a stunning, rugged region that transitions seamlessly between historic cultural pasture landscapes and high-alpine plateaus. The trails wind through old birch groves and up steep, dramatic rock formations. The full route from Mo to Voss takes 9–10 days, staying at the beautiful cabins operated by Bergen og Hordaland Turlag and Voss Utferdslag.
Public transport connections: Take the bus to Mo or the train directly to Voss. If arriving from the East, take the train to Dale Station and catch Bus 923 to Mo center. Travel Planner: Heiane
Gullruta — The Golden Route (Etne Mountains)
This 6-day journey from Seljestad to Olalia runs through the striking Etne and Sauda mountains. The trail features dramatic mountain horizons, crystal-clear swimming tarns, and panoramic views northward toward the Folgefonna glacier.
Public transport connections: The Haukeliekspressen express bus runs directly from Oslo and Haugesund, stopping at the Korlevoll trailhead. It connects seamlessly with the Coastal Bus (Kystbussen) from Stavanger at Aksdal, as well as bus lines from Bergen.
The Fjord Route is unique: it starts right outside the doors of Kvernberget Airport in Kristiansand and spans 150 kilometers around the Vinjefjord to Halsa. It offers the ultimate cross-section of Norwegian nature, mountains, deep fjords, thick pine forests, and coastal views across 12 spacious, well-equipped self-service cabins.
Public transport connections: Walk right out of Kristiansund Airport following the trail markers toward the Seivika ferry quay. Take the short ferry over to Tustna island to begin the trail network.
A beautiful and historic 60-kilometer hiking route that follows the path of the original, disused telegraph line across Saltfjellet, passing right through the heart of Saltfjellet-Svartisen National Park. It features easy, highly walkable mountain terrain during the summer months.
To ensure a smooth trip and guarantee your bed, we highly recommend booking your stay ahead of time. Please note that most coastal cabins and several unserviced cabins (ubetjente hytter) must be booked in advance.
This applies to coastal cabins, but also to many popular unserviced cabins located in the forests close to urban areas. Because these cabins are easily accessible from where people live, they fill up quickly, especially on weekends.
How to Book:
You can easily plan your stay and reserve your beds online. For a complete step-by-step guide on how the system works, visit the DNT Cabin Booking Information Page.
How to Pay for Extras:
If you are visiting a self-service cabin with a food pantry, or if you make any drop-in changes during your stay, you can easily register and pay on-site using your smartphone. Read more about downloading and using the app here: DNT Cabin Payment App.
It's the close experiences you often remember best!
Often, the outdoor experiences right outside our doorsteps are the ones we cherish most. You don't have to travel far to find a wilderness getaway, try spending a night or two at a forest cabin just a short distance from major cities, or set up a hammock camp nearby.
Here are our top recommendations for local cabins easily accessible by public transport:
Skjennungsvolden (Oslo)
This new DNT cabin is idyllically situated in the Nordmarka forest, offering a beautiful view overlooking Lake Skjennungen. It is incredibly accessible via Oslo's public transit network, making it an absolute favorite for families with young children.
How to get here: Take the Oslo Metro (Line 1) to the Frognerseteren terminus, followed by an easy 5 km walk along a well-maintained forest gravel road. Open all year.
Located on the vibrant island of Utsira just off the coast of Haugesund, Nordvikgården offers brilliant island cycling, coastal walks, and an on-site swimming pool and ocean dock.
How to get here: Take the local scheduled passenger boat directly from Haugesund harbor. Open all year round.
Mule Varde is a coastal trail cabin resting along the Eidangerfjord, managed by DNT Telemark.
How to get here: Take the local bus (Lines M2 or M3) from Porsgrunn Railway Station toward Skjelsvik, stepping off at the Mule stop. The cabin is a flat, 200-meter walk from the bus stop.
Bjørnhaugen is located within a highly popular, stunning outdoor recreation area near Harstad. The terrain surrounding the cabin is gentle, open, and ideal for families with young children taking their very first hiking steps.
How to get here: Located right off County Road 14; catch the local bus route to the Storvatnet stop. Open all year round.
DNT cabins run on trust, volunteerism, and mutual respect. To ensure a fantastic experience for everyone, please remember:
Leave the Cabin Clean: You are required to thoroughly clean and wash the rooms and areas you used before you depart. Lock Up: Ensure all windows are shut and the cabin is securely locked with the DNT key. Have questions about keys, booking rules, dogs, or electricity? Check out FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions about DNT Cabins
