Hiking from cabin-to-cabin with the Norwegian Trekking Association
Are you dreaming of a cabin-to-cabin trip in the mountains, but are unsure how to do it? This article gives you tips and advice for planning your mountain hike.
A trip from hut to hut is a fantastic way to experience the mountains! You will spend the night in DNT cabins along the way, so you do not need to bring a tent and equipment to spend the night outside, but it is important to be prepared for the weather and snow conditions to change quickly, especially in the high mountains. You must therefore carry a bag with clothes and equipment, and prepare yourself before you set off.
How do I plan my hike?
When hiking in the mountains, you should always have a map of the area you are going on a trip with you, and know how to read it. Photo: Marius Dalseg.
Planning is an important part of the trip. Now you are already on our website, which is a very good start. Go to UT.no and find a hiking area, hiking suggestions and cabins that tempt you. Get a map of the area and a DNT key. At hyttebestilling.dnt.no you get a quick overview of which cabins have available beds in your chosen time period.
How do I know which trip is right for me?
It is important to find a trip that suits your fitness and experience. Beginners should not go on the most demanding walks.
It is important to adapt the length and difficulty of the trip based on your own fitness. Choose a trip that suits your physical fitness. On UT.no you can choose tours according to difficulty level and length.
The routes in the mountains are usually marked with small cairns. To let you know that you are on a DNT trail, some of the cairns are marked with a red T. The red color is also visible in fog and gray weather. In forest areas and along the coast, the cairns are often replaced by a painted blue stripe on trees or erected poles.
What kind of clothes and equipment do I need on a mountain hike?
A windproof jacket is absolutely necessary on a mountain hike.
The weather in the mountains often changes quickly and it is important to be prepared for storms. Therefore, remember the Norwegian Mountain Code and check the weather forecast and weather forecast before you set out on a trip.
Ultimately, it is important to have garments that protect you from wind and precipitation. It's smart to bring several pieces of clothing so you can stay warm on cold days. The more garments you wear, the warmer it gets and the layer of air between each garment insulates well. Even in the summer, we recommend wool inside. If it gets hot, it's good to wear a short-sleeved wool sweater.
Here is a suggestion for clothes and equipment you should have with you when you go from cabin to cabin in the summer mountains. With this in mind, you have good conditions for having a safe and nice trip.
If you have any questions about routes and driving conditions, it may be worthwhile to contact the local member association in the area you want to travel. Also take a look at our weather forecasts.
How do I choose the right backpack and shoes?
Carry the necessary clothes and equipment in your backpack, but don't pack too much. Photo: Marius Dalseg.
Make sure that your backpack and shoes fit before the trip! A backpack that gnaws on your shoulders and shoes that get chafing can ruin an otherwise pleasant trip. The backpack must be the right length and size and fit your back. Don't buy a backpack that is too big – then you may want to pack more than you need. A backpack that you walk with between the cabins in the mountains does not have to be more than 8-12 kg.
How to pack the backpack?
To make the backpack easy to carry, you should place heavy objects against your back. Place the sleeping bag at the bottom. Keep things you need during the trip (rain gear, change, food, etc.) easily accessible in top lids and side pockets. You have a map and compass, or GPS, in your pocket or in a separate map folder. Wrap your things in plastic bags or waterproof packing bags and it will stay dry in case of rain. Make sure that the weight is evenly distributed on both sides of the pack. Feel free to keep a snack in your jacket pocket, and drink close at hand.
Use your hiking boots before your trip
Your hiking boots should be walked in before you embark on longer mountain hikes. It is important to tighten the shoelaces so that the heel is "locked" at the very back of the shoe - then you avoid the shoe slipping and creating friction between heel and sock when you walk. An extra sole can be the solution if it still slips. Feel free to bring blister plasters, sports tape, or blister socks just in case.
You never know if you have power or coverage on your phone, learn a map and compass.
You are not guaranteed power or mobile phone coverage for your entire trip. Familiarize yourself with, and always bring a map and compass if you are going on a trip. As an add-on, you can download offline maps for the area you're going to for free in the UT app.
All cabins are open in the summer. Photo: Marius Dalseg.
Information about the opening hours of a cabin can be found on the ut.no or on the staffed lodges's own website.
The staffed cabins open from the end of June to the beginning of September, some open earlier and some are open until the autumn holidays. Haukeliseter is open all year round. By searching for the cabin's name on hyttebestilling.dnt.no you will find an overview of opening hours.
Summer bridges
Be aware that some bridges are only outside during the summer season. The summer bridges are mainly outside from 1 July to 1 October. After 1 October, one cannot expect these bridges to be operational, although some bridges may remain in place for a few weeks even after this. Weather and driving conditions determine this, in addition to volunteer capacity, so check if the summer bridges have not been included. On the hiking maps you will find the bridges marked with S which means summer bridge and H which means year-round bridge.
How do I plan a cabin trip at the DNT cabins?
Some cabins must be booked in advance, such as the forest cabins near Oslo.
DNT has over 590 cabins you can stay at, and they are known for their informal and cozy atmosphere. The cabins can be no-service, self-service with provisions storage), and staffed with a host and food service. Read more about the different categories here: The different DNT cabins
You do not need to book accommodation at the DNT cabins in advance, and everyone is guaranteed a place. If you want to be guaranteed a bed or a separate room for your family or group, it may still be good to book in advance. There are always mattresses available if the cabin is full. Some DNT cabins can be booked in full, these do not have a space guarantee. Most cabins in the mountains have bed reservations, you can see this on the cabin's website on UT.no.
Always have the DNT key with you when you go on a trip from cabin to cabin.
Most no-service and self-service DNT cabins are locked with a DNT key, but some DNT cabins are unlocked all year round. The staffed cabins have their own staff who welcome you during the cabin's opening hours. Outside the staffed cabins' opening hours, many of the staffed cabins have a self-service or no-service part you can spend the night in, more about this and how to book a place can be found on the cabin's website on UT.no.
How can I travel by public transport to the mountains?
If you take public transport to the mountains, you can relax and enjoy the view from the time you leave home. Photo: Marius Dalseg.
The ultimate feeling of freedom comes from leaving the car at home and letting the train or bus take you out into the wilderness. Here we at DNT give you our best tips on how to start your holiday by bus, train or boat. The possibilities are many!
