There are three types of cabins with accommodation: Staffed lodges, self-service cabins and no-service cabins. DNT members are given discounts on accommodation at all cabins and on served meals at the staffed lodges.
DNT members are given discounts on accomodation at all cabins and on served meals at the staffed cabins. They also get a key (against a deposit) to DNT’s self-service cabins and no-service cabins. DNT activities are based on extensive volunteer work. Each year, volunteers work in total more than 800,000 hours.
In southern Norway, the member associations have large staffed lodges, and many self-service and no-service cabins. In northern Norway, the member associations have only no-service cabins.
At the self-service cabins there is a food storage you can buy from, so you don't have to carry all the food all the way there. Feel free to call it a "trust shop", many people appreciate that during a cabin to cabin trip. At a no-service cabin, on the other hand, there is no food storage, so you bring the food you want to eat there.
Below you can read more about the three types of cabins with different levels of service.
Self-service cabin
The self-service cabins are equipped with all that trekkers need for cooking and sleeping. Firewood, gas, kitchen utensils, table linen and bunks with blankets or duvets and pillows (hut sacks, also known as hut sleepers, are required!) The cabins are also stocked with provisions including tinned goods, coffee, tea, rye crispbread and powdered soup packets, but the selection can vary from cabin to cabin.
Here trekkers look after themselves: fetch water, cook food, wash up and chop wood. In high seasons, some cabins have wardens that assist in organising work. At the cabin you have to fill out a payment form for you stay. After your stay you will receive a link for credit card payment or an invoice if that is your choice. This is payment for food and accommodation. Many self-service cabins are closed for periods during the year.
These are usually small cabins, often with a security cabin with extra space. No-service cabins usually have the same equipment as self-service cabins, but they have no provisions. The cabins are equipped with beds and duvets (some only blankets), cooking facilities with kettles, crockery and firewood. The cabins are open or locked with DNT's standard key.
There also are a few simpler no-service cabins where you'll need a sleeping bag and perhaps more equipment. The descriptions of the cabins include specifications of their equipment. Some of the no-service cabins are closed for periods during the year.
Trollfjordhytta in Vesterålen is one of hundreds of unmanned DNT cabins.
Staffed lodges
Staffed lodges serve breakfast and dinner. Many have showers and electricity, either from the power grid or from a local generator. The staffed lodges are open only in certain seasons. Many staffed lodges have self-service or no-service cabins for accommodation out of season. The self-service facilities are not available when the lodge is staffed in season.
Private cabins
Private staffed lodges resemble but may have higher or lower standards and prices than DNT staffed lodges. Some are real hotels. The seasons of opening vary just as for DNT staffed lodges. A few of the private cabins have limited or no food service. You can advance book at some private cabins to be sure of accomodation, as described in the cabin overviews.
Private self-service cabins resemble their DNT counterparts, but may have different standards, prices and food selections.
Private no-service cabins resemble their DNT counterparts, but may have different standards and prices.
The letter R at the end of a cabin overview means that DNT members are entitled to a discount.
The symbol of a private cabins at ut.no or in a map, is a blue cabin.
Booking
With our new booking site we have made it easy for you to plan and book your next stay at DNT cabins. Search for cabin name or area, enter date and number of guests, and you will get cabins with available capacity.
Most staffed lodges are open from late June until early September, but some have longer or shorter seasons. You can check opening dates at UT.no. The staffed lodges also put out the season bridges when they open. It can be hard to pass a river in june without the bridge. Many no-service cabins also close in some seasons.
Locking - The DNT Cabin Key
Self-service and no-service cabins are locked with the standard DNT cabin key. If you are a member of DNT you can but a DNT cabin key for NOK 100, which is refunded upon return. You can pick up and return cabin keys at staffed lodges, DNT member association offices as well as at the offices of DNT representatives in Norway and in other countries. Read more about the DNT-key here.
Many self-service and no-service are unlocked. Some have their own locks. Some cabins are completely closed and not available in some seasons. A cabin may be closed to protect local animals and birds, to comply with an agreement with the owner, or because the trekking association leases it only for certain seasons. Some unstaffed cabins require advance booking, as described in the cabin overviews for each trekking area.
The locking arrangements usually are stated in the cabin lists for each trekking area.
Know more about our cabins?
Check the information about the cabin on UT.no before you set out on a trip! Many unmanned and self-catering cabins are available all year round. Others are closed in winter. Some cabins are self-service outside the staffed season. Others are closed.
