Hardanger Classic Crossing
Hardanger Classic Crossing
Hardanger Classic Crossing
Hardanger Classic Crossing
Hardanger Classic Crossing
Hardanger Classic Crossing
Hardanger Classic Crossing
Hardanger Classic Crossing
Hardanger Classic Crossing

Hardangervidda Classic Crossing


Point to point tour across the Hardangervidda plateau

This is the classic ski crossing of the world famous Hardangervidda. An adventure on skis taking in all that is wild and wonderful in Norway. There are many routes across the Hardanger, but this itinerary gives a true traverse of this high plateau, the largest protected area in Norway at 3422 square kilometres (2138 square miles). It is home to wildlife such as arctic foxes, beaver, and elk and has the largest wild reindeer herds in Scandinavia. 

Our point-to-point ski journey begins in Haukeliseter and finishes in Finse. We follow the rolling hills that border the lonely road from Geilo to the fjords. We ski past frozen lakes, the Hardangerjokull and the snouts of the glaciers from the plateau, before reaching the end of our journey.

Highlights

  • We are a BASI Approved Nordic Ski School
  • Ski south to north towards stunning views of the Hardanger ice cap
  • True 'crossing' of world famous Hardangervidda, a high and wild plateau 
  • Ideal tour for experienced Nordic skiers looking for a hut-to-hut adventure
  • See herds of reindeer in their natural environment; no promises! 
  • Enter a 'white' world of wilderness, solitude, space and scenery

The Hardanger was immortalised in film in 'The Hereos of Telemark' based on the true story of Norwegian resistance fighters trying to prevent the construction of an atomic bomb. Skiing across this wild plateau you will truly appreciate what they endured living in the wilderness for many months in winter.


Thank you for organising such a great trip across the Hardangervidda. I had a thoroughly lovely time and it was a super experience. It was a charming experience also meeting such lovely Norwegians in the huts.
- Victoria, UK - 2024

I could not believe how wild and remote the landscape felt. There was a deep sense of peace and solitude to be found skiing through these mountains. In our crowded world it was a joy to experience the openness of this wonderful winter land. 

- Jane, Scotland

Itinerary

It is always our aim to complete the proposed itinerary outlined above, however, it may be necessary for our guides/instructors to adjust the daily itinerary based on the weather conditions, group safety and enjoyment. 

Accommodation

On all of our trips we aim to accommodate our guests in well-situated, comfortable, characterful, family run accommodation. 

We take time to research, update and view the best options available to us. On this trip we will be staying in Norwegian mountain huts for seven nights. 'Hut' is a misnomer as they are more like cosy mountain lodges! The huts are either privately owned and run, or more likely they are owned and operated by Den Norske Turistforening, the Norwegian Trekking Association. You can read more about what is it like to stay in the DNT huts here.

All of the huts have shared rooms with either 2-3, or 4-6 beds. Whenever possible we try to secure bedrooms for 2 people. All meals, excellent in quantity and quality, are provided and you make your packed lunch from the breakfast buffet. There are hot showers, usually drying rooms, and normally a small shop and bar.

We will also be using 'self-service' lodges for two of these nights; these are timber-built buildings set in remote surroundings, with bunk rooms, fully-equipped kitchens, wood-burning stoves, a stockpile of wood (ready for chopping!), chemical toilets and a food store where we help ourselves to supplies. As a group, we will share the tasks of wood-chopping, water collection, cooking, clearing up, etc. We would like to point out that we aim to arrive early in the day at these 'self-service' cabins to ensure that we have a bed. If we arrive late and the cabin is busy it is possible that you will sleep on the floor on a mattress. Consider it a Norwegian form of 'glamping'! 

Our prices are based on you having DNT membership; it is, therefore, essential that you arrange membership via this LINK. Membership cards will be needed when we are staying at the huts.

Note for 2024: a single room is only available for 1 night at Dyranut. In Haukeliseter due to our dates being around Easter we are only able to rebook beds in a large 26 bed dormitory. Please contact us if you wish to discuss the rooming on this trip.

Haukeliseter

DNT Staffed Cabin

Haukeliseter is in the middle of southern Norway, between Oslo, Bergen and Stavanger. The lodge is situated on the highest road passage over Haukelifjell, approximately 1000m (3280ft) above sea level, in between the villages of Haukeli and Røldal.

The wilderness spa at Haukeliseter is open throughout the year, but in the wintertime it is definitely an extraordinary experience. Imagine sitting outside in a hot tub with the moon shining, surrounded by two to three meters of snow and thousands of stars sparkling above you. We aim where possible to book small rooms for two people, but the type of accommodation will depend on the time of booking. The rooms have two, four or six beds.

Hellevassbu

DNT Self-Service Cabin

The hut at Hellevassbu is 'self-service' which means that we will arrive to find wood for the fire, and dried and tinned food available. The hut which has 26 beds is also supplied with blankets and pillows, and you only need a 'sheet sleeping bag liner. As with all the huts it is in a stunning remote location. 

 

Litlos

DNT Staffed Cabin

Litlos is located on the western part of Hardangervidda. With the lodge based far away from any road, it is the perfect escape into the spectacular Norwegian nature. Hårteigen, the great landmark of Hardangervidda, lays only a day's ski away.

 

The lodge has 52 bunks in 14 rooms, which have two, four, six or eight bunks. It also has coin-operated showers and hot and cold water. 

Sandhaug

DNT Staffed Cabin

Sandhaug is located in what is probably the closest you will ever come to the center of Hardangervidda. The hut is surrounded by beautiful mountains, with Hårteigen to the west, Gaustadtoppen to the southeast and Hardangerjøkulen to the north.

The lodge has 80 bunks in two-bunk, three-bunk and four-bunk rooms. It also has a larger dormitory. The lodge has power supplied by a diesel generator.

Dyranut

Mountain Lodge

The hut at Dyranut is on a high road pass in the Hardanger. It is a staffed hut meaning we do not have to cook for ourselves, and our meals are provided. It sleeps up to 35 people in a range of room types. 

 

Kjedebu

DNT Self-Service Cabin

Kjeldebu is a self-service hut, situated in a great spot with excellent mountain views. It sleeps up to 51 people in a variety of rooms. As with all self-service huts you will be joining in with the wood chopping, fire making, and preparation of the meals. 

 

Finsehytta

DNT Staffed Cabin

The DNT hut at Finse was fully renovated in 2021 and is clean, cosy, and comfortable. With the railway station just 500m (1640ft) from the hut door it is easily reached on foot or by ski. It is a serviced DNT hut, looking after skiers from all over the world. It provides 174 beds, in rooms and dormitories. There are indoor toilets, showers, and a drying room for kit. The hut serves dinner and breakfast, and snacks at other times. There is a phone signal and wifi, and a small shop with a selection of outdoor items The hut is famous as a training base for polar explorers from around the world. It is not unusual to see a sponsored group ski past with 'Shackleton' emblazoned on their pulks (sledges). 

Bedrooms, which require early booking, are normally for between 2 to 3 people, although there are some rooms which have 4 to 6 beds. It may be that we will use dormitories if necessary. Twin rooms may be available for a supplement. Single bedrooms are not possible.  


  • Arrival

    Travelling to Oslo by Train: There are options for travel to Norway from all major European cities by train all giving you an opportunity to explore another city on your journey to the start of the holiday. For example from the UK you can overnight in Copenhagen, however there are many possibilities. 

    The easiest way to book is via www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com. If you're travelling from the UK or US then take a look at the multiday pass based travel system provided by Eurail.

    If you would like to book the individual journeys yourself then using the UK to Copenhagen example here is how.

    Travel from London to Brussels using the Eurostar www.eurostar.com these tickets can be purchased up to 6 months ahead of your travel date. From here you can book at train from Brussels to Gothenburg (Gotëborg) adding a stopover in Copenhagen using the German Railway website int.bahn.de. A full day on the train sees you arriving in Copenhagen for an evening walk around the city before dinner. 

    The final leg of your journey is from Gothenburg Central Station to Oslo and this can be booked using Vy the Norwegian rail network website www.vy.no.

    All the trains have Wi-Fi, charging points and restaurant cars, not to mention the stunning scenery that you will travel through.

    By Plane: If flying we recommend flying to Gardermoen airport, Oslo. This is the main airport and is easily accessible from Oslo city. It is also possible to fly to Oslo Torp or Oslo Rygge, but you need to allow time to reach Olso city centre. Transfer links to Oslo are to be found on the Torp airport website. Arrival times should be approx 2hrs before departure of the bus to Haukeliseter to allow you to prepare and store any excess luggage at the airport or at the railway station in Oslo.

    You will need to book the bus from the main bus station in Oslo direct to our overnight accommodation at Haukeliseter DNT hut. The buses generally leave either 1030 hrs or 1355hrs and the journey takes around 5 hrs 20 minutes. The bus from Oslo main bus station to Haukeliseter DNT hut / or Haukeli can be booked via this LINK. Note: buses tickets are only available to book approximately 6 weeks in advance of the travel date.

    From Oslo Gardermoen airport you can make your way to the city centre and the bus terminal by bus or train:

    By Train

    The “Flytoget” airport express train takes twenty minutes from Gardermoen airport to the city centre. You can also take the normal train operated by Vy which is cheaper, but takes a little longer. 

    By Bus

    There are a range of bus services between the various airports and the city centre. Gardermoen airport can be reached by bus with Ruter. Transfer links to Torp are to be found on the airport website

    Departure

    On your departure day we walk or ski to the train station in Finse where we catch onward trains. The first train for Oslo leaves at 1033 hrs and arrives at Oslo Gardermoen airport at 1547 hrs.
     
    Ensure your flight from Oslo is late enough to take account of your arrival time from Finse and to allow time to collect any luggage left at the airport or in town.
     
    Alternatively, if you don't have a reason to pick up 'left luggage' in Oslo, you could consider departing from Bergen. The first train for Bergen leaves at 1237 hrs arriving at 1500 hrs.

    All of the above train times are provisional. In Norway the train times are confirmed 3 months before the departure date and can vary by a few minutes on the times given for previous months. Tickets are easily purchased online at Vy.no. We advise you to book your train ticket as the trains can be fully booked and you will not be permitted to travel.

  • If you would like to spend extra nights in Oslo, the capital city of Norway, we can recommend several city centre hotels. Single rooms are available in each of the following options:

    The City Box Hotel, Oslo which is where our guides stay between trips. The hotel is very reasonably priced, convenient for the railway and bus stations. The hotel also offer washing facilities if you are running trips back to back and need to launder clothes.

    The Thon Hotel Opera is a very short distance from the central railway station and, indeed, the Opera House. It is approximately 100 metres (328ft) from the railway station. Karl Johan high street, the main shopping thoroughfare, is a two minute walk from the hotel. 

    The Thon Hotel Spectrum is also central and approximately 600 metres (1968ft) walk from the central railway station. 

    These last two hotels are part of the Thon hotel chain. We would normally recommend family run hotels, but they are not easily found in central Oslo and we feel that the Thon group do provide good accommodation which is easily reached from the railway station. You will be able to book either of these online. 

    If you would like inexpensive accommodation in Oslo we can recommend the Perminalen Hotell. The hotel has a choice of accommodation ranging from bedrooms to same gender dormitories. It is approximately 850 metres (2788ft) from the central railway station.

  • Due to their nature 'off track’ trips to remote areas can be affected by weather and snow conditions that necessitate on-the spots changes in the itinerary. We do not include a contingency fee for these unforeseen events and therefore we ask that you the client contribute to the costs that arise due to major itinerary changes, for example additional bus, train or overnight costs. We have capped this at a maximum of £160 per person. By operating in this way we can keep the cost of your trip lower and these additional costs are only requested if necessary.

  • When booking a trip we ask you to acquire insurance to cover you for the following:

    Mountain Rescue Insurance

    It is a condition of booking that you are insured against medical expenses, injury, illness, death, mountain rescue, cost of repatriation and personal accident risks. Please ensure that your insurance covers you to the maximum altitude given on your trip itinerary. The maximum altitude for any trip can be checked on the 'At A Glance' box on each trip page. Most of our trips have a maximum altitude of 3,000 metres. If you are unsure or are joining a bespoke trip, then please ask us for specific details.

    Trip Cancellation/Curtailment Insurance

    You should also have insurance to cover trip cancellation and curtailment. Please note that your deposit and balance payments are non-refundable, unless it is Tracks and Trails who cancel the trip due to a failure to reach the required minimum numbers. In this case we will offer you a refund or the option of transferring to another trip if one is available. We also advise that you should have insurance which covers baggage loss/equipment damage as Tracks and Trails will not be held responsible for loss/damage to baggage/equipment.

    COVID-19 Insurance

    As well as medical cover, we recommend that you have appropriate travel insurance so that if you fall ill and test positive for COVID-19 prior to (or during) your trip, you will be financially covered for cancelling your trip. You should also consider booking a policy that covers you if you have to cancel or curtail your holiday because you have to self-isolate. If you choose to cancel, cancellation charges will be payable, but if the reason for your cancellation is covered under the terms of your insurance policy, you may be able to reclaim these charges. Please read the clauses below detailing trip cancellation and curtailment.

    Travel Insurance covering COVID-19 is now available from a number of suppliers, Campbell Irvine, Trailfinders and Staysure. Please check their websites for the latest information on what is and isn't covered. It is likely that more companies will offer COVID related cover in the future.

    All of the above insurances are detailed in our Terms and Conditions

    If you are joining a trip in the UK helicopter/mountain rescue insurance is not required as this is a free service.

    For further details, please read the Insurance section on our website.

  • Winter temperatures in Scandinavia are 'according to the locals' becoming warmer, which is why we now run trips in the months of January, and February, as well as the traditional ski touring months of March and April. Even in January when the daylight hours are short we find that we have more than enough time for skiing. We have never yet had guests feeling they were losing out in terms of ski hours by booking in January or February. There is a special pleasure to starting your ski day in the sunrise, and skiing back with the sunset. 

    Historically temperatures in December have averaged -8°Celsius (17.4°F), in January -9.7°Celsius (14.5°F), in February -9.2°Celsius (15.4°F), in March -6.6°Celsius (20.1°F), and in April -2.3°Celsius (27.9°). Clearly there is the potential for temperatures to drop much lower, but rarely lower than  -15°C (5°F).

    We have found over the years that these temperatures have not been unpleasant nor have any guests had problems dealing with the weather as it is generally a 'dry' cold, and of course this helps create great snow and therefore great ski tracks. If we do experience a cold snap where temperatures drop then we ensure that everyone is appropriately clothed and kitted out for the ski day. In this respect energy snacks and a thermos with a hot drink are a great comfort! 

    If you are booked on one of our 'Advanced' or 'Challenging' point-to-point journeys and we experience very cold temperatures eg -15°Celsius (5°F) then we would expect you to be able to be efficient and keep moving and to manage your comfort.

  • If bringing your own skis...

    The skis we recommend for this trip are a metal-edged Nordic back country ski similar to the Fischer Transnordic 82 Easy Skin Xtralite with NNN BC bindings or equivalent, and with a side cut of around 82-60-70 mm. It is also acceptable to use skis similar to Fischer Transnordic 66 Easy Skin Xtralite with a sidecut of 66-54-81mm. The term sidecut refers to the width at the tip, waist, and tail. The wider the side cut the more stability, but less glide. The narrower the ski more glide, but less stability. Everything is a compromise.

    Boots should be leather or soft plastic, such as the Garmont Excursion, or Scarpa T4, with Vibram soles. Poles should be of touring length and fit snugly into the armpit with the basket on the snow surface. You also require full length climbing skins for this trip. If you have a waxing ski with the new Easy Skin system that allows a 'kick' skin to be attached only in the 'kick' zone, then bring these for days when the waxing is challenging.

    For buying Nordic ski equipment online; in the UK we recommend Braemar Mountain Sports and in France we recommend Telemark Pyrenees.

    If hiring skis...

    It is always recommended to have your own equipment (especially boots) for any remote long distance ski tour. However, it is possible to hire equipment for this trip in Norway at the start of the tour at Haukeliseter DNT hut. 

    Due to the nature of this being a point-to-point journey it requires the equipment to be returned to the start of the tour, the cost of which will be shared between those hiring. You may want to check how many will be hiring and therefore the estimated cost of the return of the skis. Note too that if hiring in Norway you will also need to carry light weight footwear with you in your day pack.

    You will need: skis, boots, poles and climbing skins. If you wish to hire this equipment please provide details on your Booking Form so that we can assist you and advise you of the rental cost.

    Ski pass...

    There is no ski pass required to use the tracks or mountain trails in Norway. You would only be required to purchase a ski pass if a group decision is made to use ski lifts for practising downhill skills if the opportunity arises.

  • When packing for a trip in the mountains it is important to have appropriate equipment and clothing. This kit list features items we believe are necessary for the weather you will encounter and accommodation you will be staying in. 

    When you leave Oslo you will take everything you need for the trip in your rucksack. Allow sufficient time between your arrival in Oslo and connecting travel to ensure you have your rucksack packed and ready for the week.

    You can leave any extra luggage in Oslo in the left luggage lockers at the airport, for more information refer to the 'Left Luggage' section of the Trip Information page. For example you might want to fly wearing footwear other than your ski boots and leave those and a fresh change of clothing in the left luggage lockers? However, you can leave home ready to ski and arrive at Oslo ready to go. It has been done many times, and it works. To avoid the need to pay to leave a ski bag at the airport you can arrive with your skis simply taped together. Or you can overnight at one of the local hotels, most of whom will store ski bags free of charge until you return. 

    Group equipment - we share out waxes, 1 snow shovel between 2, emergency lightweight shelters, spare ski pole, snow probe, first aid kit, and any repair kit amongst the group members. 

    Read our Blog for extra tips and advice on packing for a Nordic ski trip.

    Equipment

    For information on the type of skis required for this trip ski consult the 'Skis - type, rental & ski pass' section of the Trip Information page. Skis, boots, and poles - can be hired in the UK. They cannot be easily hired in Norway.

    For buying Nordic ski equipment online; in the UK we recommend Braemar Mountain Sports and in France we recommend Telemark Pyrenees.

    • Rucksack - 40 to 50 litres with waist and chest strap. Recommended maximum weight of 10-11 kgs when loaded with fluid, food etc. This recommendation varies depending on physical frame and strength. A larger powerful skier can carry more, and a smaller lighter skier will find 10 kgs the absolute maximum to still be able to ski safely. You need space to carry your kit for the duration of the trip, plus an item of group kit. We recommend you test the weight in good time so that you can contact us to discuss any weight issues
    • Rucksack waterproof cover or liner to keep contents dry
    • Wax cork and ski scraper - only if using 'waxing' skis
    • Ski ties - to hold your skis together
    • Waxes - if required, these will be supplied by Tracks and Trails
    • Water container - 1 litre, drink tubes and bottles stowed on the outside of your rucksack usually freeze in winter
    • Snow shovel - check with us before packing one as we may already have sufficient within the group
    • Whistle
    • Full length climbing skins - if hiring from Braemar Mountain Sports then 'skins' are included in the package, be sure that they are included. 
    • Kick skins - this refers to the new short skins which can be attached to newer waxing skis and are very useful for days when waxing is challenging, worth bringing
    • Head torch - plus spare batteries
    • Lightweight rolled/folded mat to insulate you from the ground - this is considered part of your personal emergency kit

    Clothing

    • Waterproof jacket - essential, this must keep you dry during a day of continuous snowfall or at least as dry as any waterproof jacket ever keeps you!
    • Waterproof trousers - in case of heavy snowfall
    • Trousers - lightweight, windproof and warm
    • Thermal top - long sleeves
    • Thermal leggings
    • Thin fleece - long sleeves
    • Waistcoat - fleece/wind stopper 
    • Gloves x 2 (one thick and one thin)
    • Mittens for colder conditions - ideally woollen
    • Over-mittens for colder days can be useful
    • Warm hat
    • Sun hat
    • Head/ear band 
    • Duvet jacket (or second warm layer)
    • Scarf or 'Buff' for neck
    • Socks - 2 or 3 pairs
    • Gaiters - to deal with fresh snow

    Comfort

    • Lip salve
    • Sunscreen 
    • Sunglasses 
    • Goggles
    • Hand warmers x 4
    • Snack bars/chocolate
    • Anti-bacterial hand wash for self-service huts, often no running water
    • Tissues - we recommend biodegradable bags to dispose of rubbish
    • Sleeping bag liner, also known as a 'sheet sleeping bag'. Sleeping BAGS are NOT allowed. 
    • Small 'Pack' towel 
    • Slippers for use at accommodation
    • Small thermos for hot drinks - recommended

    Personal First Aid

    • Personal medication 
    • Blister plasters (e.g. Compeed)
    • Painkillers/anti-inflammatory
    • Glucose tablets/Energy gel
    • 2 x Rehydration sachets - eg Dioralyte
    • Throat lozenges
    • Antiseptic cream/spray

    Documentation

    • Mountain Rescue/Ski Insurance documents - compulsory
    • Passport
    • Credit card - most outlets now accept a card
    • Cash - Norwegian Kroner for incidentals

    Additional Items

    • Camera/ Book/Music
    • Minimalist Toiletries – soap/toothpaste etc
    • Ear plugs 

    **Supplementary snacks if you follow a gluten free or coeliac diet**

    Leaders are all first aid trained and carry a first aid kit

  • On many of our trips there will be an element of 'group kit' which will be shared amongst our guests. As mountain people you will be used to team work and working together to the mutual benefit and safety of the group.

    The 'group kit' will be minimal and usually just a case of sharing a few lightweight 'survival shelters'. For example on a week-long trip you may carry a small shelter for just one day before passing it on to the next person. 

    If you are booking a trip in winter there will be a few additional safety items. These will be distributed in such a way that no one is over burdened. 

    Other group items necessary for safety and comfort will be carried by your guide/instructor.

  • For each of our trips a minimum number of guests is required before we can confirm that your trip will go-ahead. The minimum and maximum number of guests on your trip is displayed in the 'At a Glance' box on the righthand side of the trip page. 

    We strongly advise you do not book travel until we have confirmed your trip is 'guaranteed' to run. If you book travel before we have confirmed it is 'guaranteed' we cannot be held responsible for any financial loss if the trip does not go ahead.

  • A single room is only available on two nights on this trip; in Haukeliseter and Dyranut. The single supplement is £40. When booking a holiday as a solo traveller a twin bedded room comprising of two single beds, is booked as standard. This will be with someone of the same gender unless you request to pay extra for your own room. Single rooms are often limited in supply so if you would like to pay a supplement for a single room we urge you to get in touch as soon as possible. When staying in staffed huts we book small mixed dormitories just for our group of 2, 3, 4 or 6 people.

  • We go to great lengths to work with first class guides and instructors who are passionate about their work. They are all fully qualified, insured, and hold the correct documentation.

    Please note your guide/instructor has complete discretion to make a daily decision on whether or not to take the advertised route based on the weather and the ability of the members of the group. They have our authority to make any route changes they believe are necessary in the interests of safety and enjoyment. 

    Your ski guide will be a professionally qualified BASI Nordic Instructor at the least and may also be a BASI Telemark Instructor. They will hold the Winter Mountain Leader Award, or the International Mountain Leader Award or have the ability and relevant experience to navigate in winter conditions. While in no way interfering with the tour, coaching along the way in ski technique and 'grip waxing' will help you ski more effectively and with less effort. We are always mindful of safety in cold conditions and wilderness areas. 

  • On your itinerary you will find an indication of the amount of ascent and descent you can expect each day. This offers a guideline to how much effort might be expended each day and allows you to decide, based on previous experience, if your fitness and stamina are correct for the trip. 

    We make every attempt to ensure these statistics are as accurate as possible, but ask you to note that the most modern of technology used to record these details can show considerable variations in terms of ascent, descent, and in particular distance. In other words no two people using GPS devices on the same route will have exactly the same details recorded at the end of the day. 

    The statistics given should be used as a 'general' indication of the effort required. 

  • Your ski guide will have the maps required for this trip, but if you would like to arrive with your own maps we have listed those which cover the route:

    Nordeca Turkart 1:50 000; Sheet no. 2677 ‘Eidfjord’

    Nordeca Turkart 1:50 000; Sheet no. 2203 ‘Haukelifjell’

    The above maps cover the entire route se 2 cover except for a small gap.

    If still available the Statens Kartverk 1:100 000; Sheet no. 2591 ‘Hardangervidda’ covers the whole route – and a lot more.

    All maps are available online via the Map Shop www.themapshop.co.uk or from Stanfords in London www.stanford.co.uk

  • It is useful to arrive at your destination with some cash in the local currency, however, on most occasions it is relatively easy to visit a 'cash machine' after arrival and withdraw money on a credit or debit card. Some of our locations are an exception to this in particular Norway, where the accommodation will often have no facilities for withdrawing cash, but they will take a credit card. 

    On many of our trips we will visit remote cafes/farms where it is wonderful to enjoy a drink and a cake, at places such as these they will often only accept payment in the local currency in cash.

  • The DNT system of cabins in Norway is a wonderful concept. 'DNT' stands for Den Norske Turistforening, which translates to the 'Norwegian Trekking Association'. 

    According to the DNT local member associations operate 550 cabins across Norway. They maintain a network of about 22,000 km (13,730 miles) of marked hiking trails and about 7000 km (4375 miles) of branch-marked ski tracks. Each year, volunteers work a total of more than 800,000 hours maintaining this system. 

    A number of our trips require you to be a member of the DNT. Please check the 'Dates & Prices' section of the your trip itinerary. To become a member click here

    DNT Cabins are either 'staffed' or 'self-service':

    Staffed cabins

    Staffed cabins serve all meals; breakfast, dinner and a picnic lunch which you make yourself from the breakfast buffet. Meals are excellent in both quality and quantity! Many have showers and electricity, either from the power grid or from a local generator. They are very cosy and traditional in style and are just as comfortable as a rustic hotel. Staffed cabins are open only in certain seasons.

    Self-service cabins

    The self-service cabins are equipped with all that we need for cooking and sleeping. Firewood, gas, kitchen utensils, table linen and bunks with blanks or duvets and pillows. We do require you to bring a 'sheet sleeping bag liner' for reasons of hygiene. The cabins are also stocked with tinned and dried food which means we do not have to carry provisions! It is not possible to 'reserve' beds in self-service cabins and it is a case of 'first come, first served'. We aim to arrive in good time to secure the necessary number of beds which are usually in rooms with between 2 - 8 bunk beds. If we arrive late in the day and the cabin is already crowded then as 'members of the DNT' you will have priority over non-members in terms of acquiring a mattress. Please note this may be a mattress on the floor, think of it as camping, but with a roof!

    In the self-service cabins we look after ourselves: fetch water, cook food, wash up and chop wood. At the cabin we fill out a payment form which details everything we have used. The DNT then contact us on our email addresses and we make payment for your stay. 

  • During this trip you will experience 'touring' in its purest form as you will set off from Oslo with everything you need for the week in your rucksack. It's a great feeling to have everything on your back, a de-cluttering of life and stripping down to the basics. 

    With this in mind you might like to leave extra luggage such as a ski bag, or luggage for your flight or any onward travel in Oslo. You can you leave luggage in a locker at Gardermoen airport. There are 200 electronic lockers located on the 1st floor in the parking garage P10 next to the terminal building. You can find more information and prices here. There are also luggage lockers at Oslo central railway station which are less expensive, though cost depends on the size of locker you use. The railway station is open Monday–Sunday 0345 hrs - 0130 hrs. We have, however, found that on occasion these are unreliable in that they can be fully booked. There are other private storage facilities in Oslo such as Eelway.

    Another option is to book an hotel room either before or after your trip and leave luggage with the hotel. The airport hotels in general all have luggage storage facilities where you can leave items, and often a late flight into/early flight out of Oslo is cheaper than during the day and has the added benefit of providing somewhere to leave luggage or ski bags. 

  • A passport with 6 months remaining validity at the end of your stay is generally required. Please check the relevant embassy or consulate for the country you are visiting, paying attention to your citizenship. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the correct travel documents and visas for your holiday. Visa requirements and charges are subject to change without notice.  

    We ask that you carry a paper copy of your passport with you on your trip. We suggest keeping your passport in your rucksack, and a paper copy of your passport in any luggage you might have. If your trip is without luggage transfers then keep a paper copy somewhere in your rucksack, separate from your original document. 

  • We recommend you check if you require an adaptor for your electrical items at:

    Plug, Socket & Voltage by Country

    Note that if your trip involves staying in a mountain refuge/rifugio/hut that electric sockets may be in short supply and for that night you may not be able to charge any items. Although the accommodation will have electricity this will often be supplied by solar panels or a generator and limited to use by the staff. For this reason we advise that carrying a small slimline and lightweight 'battery pack' can be very useful for recharging phones which many of you will also use as your camera. 

  • Before booking consider whether you expect to be in the appropriate physical condition on the date of your  departure to allow you to fully participate in and enjoy your holiday. If you have any doubts because of an illness or injury it would be advisable to check with your doctor.

    For UK residents travelling to an EU country you should obtain and bring with you a free Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC). This entitles you to state provided medical treatment in certain European countries, but is not a substitute for medical travel insurance.

    If you have a UK European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) it will be valid until the expiry date on the card. Once it expires, you’ll need to apply for a GHIC to replace it. The UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) lets you get state healthcare in Europe at a reduced cost or sometimes for free. Please check this before departing. We advise that you always carry your insurance documents with details of the Emergency Medical telephone number for your insurance provider, and your policy number. 

  • We feel strongly about protecting the environment and do not encourage the use of single-use plastic items. We would ask that you arrive with a ‘water bottle’ or ‘hydration system’ that can be used repeatedly. We would point out that we operate a ‘zero tolerance’ for rubbish, and would ask you to remove all your rubbish items from the mountain even those you consider to be bio-degradable. In particular we ask that you remove any toilet tissue.

    You can read our full policy here.

  • Working across international boundaries, and with various currencies means that the price of our trips can change overnight. We have, however, undertaken to guarantee that once you have paid your deposit the price of your trip is fixed. In this respect we urge you to book early to ensure that you receive the price advertised on our website. The website price may increase due to currency fluctuations, but we guarantee that the price advertised on the date of your booking will be maintained in your individual case. 


What's Included

  • 1 Night bed and breakfast plus packed lunch in Haukeliseter staffed DNT Hut
  • 3 Nights full board in staffed DNT hut accommodation; bed, breakfast, picnic lunch and dinner
  • 1 Night full board in a staffed mountain cabin; bed, breakfast, picnic lunch and dinner
  • 2 Nights full board in self service DNT hut accommodation; bed, breakfast, picnic lunch and dinner
  • Services of a professional Nordic Ski Instructor
  • Use of ski waxes

What's Not Included

  • Flights
  • Insurance
  • Ski hire and climbing skins
  • Sleeping bag liner
  • Airport transfers inc. bus travel from Oslo to Haukeliseter and rail travel from Finse to Oslo
  • Left luggage lockers in Oslo
  • Extra drinks and snacks
  • 1 x Evening meal on the first night at Haukeliseter staffed DNT Hut
  • DNT membership: Our prices are based on you having DNT membership; it is, therefore, essential that you arrange membership via this link: https://english.dnt.no/join/ Membership cards will be needed when we are staying at the huts
  • Contingency Costs; see Trip Information
Return to Search Print Trip Notes

Grade: Expert

READ GRADE DESCRIPTION

At a Glance

From Price £0
Holiday Type Low Impact
Duration Days
Group Size 4-8
Minimum Age 18
Maximum Altitude 1700m (5577ft)
Countries Visited Norway
Meet In Haukeliseter, Norway
View all Low Impact Holidays

Off Track Ski Skills - what is required?

The Hardangervidda

Why book with T&T?

  • Highly professional guides
  • Personal service guaranteed 
  • Attention to detail throughout
  • Explore off the beaten track
  • Single rooms on request
  • No surcharge guaranteed
Read More