Norwegian Trekking Association

The Norwegian Tourist Association (DNT ) is the Norwegian Trekking Association. It was founded in 1868. The association operates lodges, keeps the trails in order and extended the hiking network in Norway.

There are currently around 210,000 Norwegians member. Membership is open to all, also for German.

Organization

The DNT has 50 local member associations, which take over the actual operation of the huts and the maintenance of the trails in their respective territories. The DNT Oslo og Omegn is by far the biggest club including who also runs many cabins in the great national parks. The seat of the DNT is in Oslo.

History

The DNT was founded on January 21, 1868 on the initiative of Consul Thomas John Heftye and Captain Hans Hagerup Krag.

Offers

Trails

The DNT has numerous trails that are mainly in the national parks and an extensive network between the huts and places is on the edge of the park.

The trails are small stone pyramids (called cairns ) and characterized by painted stones on red t. At crossroads signpost also be established.

Forest trails are also marked by blue markers on the trees. In winter (usually from Easter) are marked by bars also numerous winter trails for skiers. A total of 20.000 km of summer hiking trails and 6,500 km of winter trails available (as of 2007 ).

The stages are usually designed so that they can be handled in one day. All roads are in a manual published by the DNT ( Til fots i Norge) - but in Norwegian - described.

The trails are now more frequently committed than the beaten track often clearly visible, so it is pretty easy to follow the path. Some of the most popular routes (eg the way across the Besseggen of Gjendesheim Memurubu ) were last so stressed by the many walkers that parts renatured, had to be diverted or removed solid. Rarely worn paths, on the other hand, in some cases only by the marks ( cairns and Ts) to find.

On the trails of the DNT also maintains summer bridges over major rivers to build, so many ways without Durchwatung of rivers can be committed. These bridges are usually in early July and decreased again in late October. The summer usually consist of two bridges cross the river tensioned steel cables, which form the railing, to which the actual road consists of wooden boards is suspended. Smaller streams with not so strong currents must be crossed by balancing on larger stones without a bridge.

The DNT and the local hiking clubs operate in all of Norway about 450 cottages with over 8000 beds. It must be distinguished three types of cabins:

• Hosted hats ( 40 ): These cabins have 2 -, 4 - or shared rooms or dormitories, dinner, breakfast and food offer and typically include hot showers and drying rooms. The largest have up to 200 beds. They are usually only open in the summer season, which extends approximately from mid-June to mid-September, some lodges are also additionally available during the winter season.
• Self-service huts ( over 150 ): This type of cabin has no staff; However, there is a fully equipped kitchen and an extensive stock stock. Shared rooms and dormitories are used for accommodation, most lodges have this 5-30 beds. The billing and payment is made by the guests themselves either by cash in a box or with a direct debit mandate for a credit card. In high season, a warden of the uninitiated is often present, the principle explained and ensures order. The cabins are often open in the high season, otherwise they can be opened with a standard key, which can be obtained from the DNT Oslo or on the hosted huts.
• Unstaffed huts (over 200 ): These cabins have no supplies, but are otherwise the same as the self-service huts built.

The red symbols shown above are also used on Norwegian hiking maps.

Reservations are generally not possible in the cottages. Members of the DNT is guaranteed in all cabins, a place to sleep; if necessary, extra mattresses are available in all cabins to build dormitories.

The camping is in the immediate vicinity of huts will charge, but the facilities ( showers, toilets ) can then be used.

Hiking

In addition to hiking trails and huts of the DNT offers various guided walking tours. The DNT then sets the guide. The range goes from day tours on glacier tours to heavy mountain tours including mountain climbs. The tours take place preferably in the great national parks and can include up to 8 days. In winter, ski tours are offered.

Publications

In addition to the member magazine Fjell og Vidde published the DNT yearbooks, each dedicated to a specific topic, for example:

Curiosities

On the packaging of Kvikk Lunsj chocolate bar, the Norwegian "Hiking chocolate " tour suggestions of DNT were printed.