The Norske Turistforening
Den Norske Turistforening (DNT) is a Norwegian hiking association . It was founded in 1868 . The association is one of the mountain associations , operates huts, keeps the hiking trails in order and also expands the hiking trail network in Norway .
The DNT has over 290,000 members (as of February 2017). Membership is also open to foreigners.
organization
The DNT consists of 57 local member associations that operate the huts and maintain the hiking trails in their respective areas. The DNT Oslo og Omegn is by far the largest association among them, which also operates many huts in the large national parks. The seat is in Oslo .
history
The DNT was founded on January 21, 1868 on the initiative of consul Thomas Johannes Heftye.
deals
Hiking trails
The DNT maintains numerous hiking routes, which are often located in the national parks and form an extensive network. They are prepared by Stone pyramids (the so-called cairns , Norwegian varder ) and by a painted red T in. Signposts are also set up at crossroads.
Forest trails are also indicated by blue markings on the trees. In winter (mostly from Easter) numerous routes for skiers are marked by poles or branches stuck in the snow (Norwegian kvister ). A total of 20,000 km of summer hiking trails and 4,300 km of winter routes are available (as of February 2017).
The stages are usually designed in such a way that they can be mastered in one day. All routes are described in the manual ( Til fots i Norge ) published by the DNT - but in Norwegian.
Frequently used hiking trails are often easily recognizable as well-trodden paths. Nevertheless, you should never go without a map and compass, as orientation in fog can be very difficult.
In recent years, mass tourism has found its way into some particularly popular routes, especially on the Besseggen ridge from Gjendesheim to Memurubu . In other places too, nature was so heavily used that paths had to be blocked, renatured and rerouted.
Streams and smaller rivers with not so strong currents have to be crossed without a bridge by balancing over larger stones. The DNT holds summer bridges at critical points. These are usually available from the beginning of July to the end of September. Most of the time, it is a hanging structure made of wire ropes on which the running boards are suspended.
Since 2018 there have been 11 historical hiking trails, most of which follow old trade routes.
Huts
The DNT and the local hiking clubs operate around 550 (as of 2019) huts with over 8,000 beds throughout Norway . There are three types of huts:
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Maintained hats (over 40): These huts have 2-, 4- or multi-bed rooms or dormitories, offer dinner, breakfast buffet and provisions and usually have hot showers and drying rooms. The largest have up to 200 beds. They are usually only open in the summer season, which runs from mid-June to mid-September, but some huts are also open in the winter season. -
Self-service cabins (over 150): This type of cabin has no staff; However, there is a fully equipped kitchen and extensive storage space. Multi-bed rooms and dormitories are used for overnight stays, most of the huts have between 5 and 30 beds. Billing and payment are made by the guests themselves either by cash payment in a box or with a direct debit authorization for a credit card. In the high season, a hut warden is often present to explain the principle to the uninitiated and to keep things tidy. The huts are often open in the high season, otherwise they can be opened with a standard key that can be obtained from the DNT in Oslo or from the huts hosted. -
Unmanaged huts (over 200): These huts have no supplies, but are otherwise structured like the self-service huts.
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The red symbols shown above are also used on Norwegian hiking maps .
Prior reservation is only possible for members and only in the managed huts. However, all those arriving will be granted accommodation. In case of emergency, additional mattresses are available in all huts in order to set up mattress beds.
Camping in the immediate vicinity of huts is subject to a fee; the facilities (showers, toilets) can then be used for this.
hikes
In addition to hiking trails and huts, the DNT also offers various guided hiking tours. The DNT then provides the hiking guide. The offer ranges from day tours to glacier tours to difficult mountain tours including summit climbs. The tours preferably take place in the large national parks and can last up to 8 days. Ski tours are also offered in winter.
Publications
In addition to the member magazine Fjell og Vidde , DNT publishes yearbooks each dedicated to a specific topic, for example:
- 1984: Rondane / Lillehammer . Oslo, ISBN 82-90339-12-7
- 1987: Femundsmarka and omkringligiggende fjellstrøk . Oslo, ISBN 82-90339-20-8
Curiosities
Tour suggestions from the DNT are printed on the packaging of the Kvikk Lunsj chocolate bar, the Norwegian "hiking chocolate".
See also
Web links
- Welcome page of the DNT (German)
- UT.no tour planner for Norway (from DNT and NRK )