Mountain Adventure Holidays
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.
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.
Today you will need to take the bus from Oslo bus station to the characterful and well-situated Haukeliseter DNT cabin. The journey time is about 5 hours 20 minutes. Your ski guide maybe on the same bus or will meet you in Haukeliseter this evening, at approximately 1800 hrs, to brief you on the week ahead. Evening meals are not included tonight as the hut only offer an a la carte service and also allows for late arrivals.
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. For early arrivals it's possible to explore the snowy plateau from the cabin door, or indulge in the wilderness spa! 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.
It is important that you arrive with everything you need for this Hardangervidda trip. Haukeliseter DNT has its own ski touring equipment rental in case of emergencies - however, you need to consider that it's not easy to return the equipment. They also have a small shop with a few basic kit/wax and snack supplies.
For 'Arrival & Departure' details please refer to the 'Trip Information' section.
This morning we begin our Hardangervidda crossing by putting skis on right outside the cabin door! 'Vidda' is the Norwegian word for 'plateau' so to sound like seasoned Nordic ski tourers remember to refer to either the Hardanger plateau or the Hardangervidda.
This will be a full day on skis as we head north onto the Hardangervidda with a short, steep climb which is always a good way to test your technique. We then enjoy typical Hardanger terrain with undulating hills and small frozen lakes which will allow us to find our 'ski legs'. We will ski pass the dramatic Nupsegga which sits at 1674m (5490ft) and then shapely Simletind rising to 1504m (4933ft). Shortly after passing Simletind we will see Hellevassbu the DNT hut where we will spend the night. DNT huts offer an amazing service to skiers in remote wilderness areas. Good meals, warm and cosy rooms offering a true haven from the cold white world outside.
Ascent: 500m (1640ft) Distance: 26km (16.3 miles)
'Bu' is a word-ending that you will often see in the mountains of Norway. It means a mountain cottage or mountain home and will often be applied to a name. So this morning we leave Hellevassbu as we set out on what will be a more relaxed day of skiing as we head for Litlos. The hut at Litlos is in the western part of the Hardangervidda, is far from any road access, and really does provide the perfect escape into the spectacular Norwegian landscape. Our route follows an intricate line through small valleys, past rocky knolls and over yet more frozen lakes.
Ascent: 350m (1148ft) Distance: 20 km (12.5 miles)
Coffee, and waffles and then we are on our way. Skis waxed and prepared to head ever closer to the centre of the immense Hardangervidda. We set off heading north-east across a more open and gentler winter wonderland containing many small hills and wider valleys.
Our goal today is the hut at Sandhaug which claims to be located in 'the closest you will ever come' to the centre of the Hardanger plateau. In this magnificent area of mountains, with a near perfect view of the nature around, it is said that you can experience a seldom found feeling of 'peace.'
With Hårteigen to the west, Gaustadtoppen to the southeast and Hardangerjøkulen to the north, the horizon is crowded with the summits of this amazing arctic landscape.
Ascent: 180m (590ft) Distance: 23km (14.4 miles)
By now you should be well into the rhythm of the mornings and enjoying discussing the 'grip wax' needed for the day. It's worth mentioning that on this trip you will be supplied with ski climbing 'skins' free of charge, which does make life easier when we have difficult waxing conditions.
Today we will continue northwards across the vast open spaces of the Hardanger plateau. A series of climbs and descents link a number of lake-filled valleys offering excellent skiing. If the weather is good we may see the wide bulk of the Hardanger Icecap directly ahead.
Ascent: 220m (721ft) Distance: 23km (14.4 miles)
Today we ski off in the direction of our next overnight at Kjeldebu, another 'bu' which is actually a self-service DNT hut. If you have not encountered 'self-service' huts before then we hope you will be pleasantly surprised. The Norwegian hut system which allows us to travel into remote areas in winter is amazing. It is based very much on trust and honesty and relies on each visitor writing a note of exactly what they have used and then paying accordingly.
The huts are supplied with wood for the fire, and a store room of dried and tinned foods. There is also bedding as well which avoids having to carry a 'full' sleeping bag, you just require a 'sheet sleeping bag liner'.
You will have plenty of time to make yourselves at home at Kjeldebu as we will have a short day. In fact, you could almost consider it a rest day. We have a short hop over some ridges with superb views towards the Hardanger Icecap. The hut is situated in a lovely setting, and is a great sport to spend a relaxing afternoon.
Ascent: 110m (360ft) Distance: 9km (5.6 miles)
Today we begin our journey to exit the Hardangervidda and our longest ski day. Leaving Kjeldebu we follow an enticing route over hills, alongside lakes and through various passes. We ski along with the looming mass of the Hardanger Icecap to our left with it’s tumbling outlet glaciers with crevasses of blue ice. It is a fitting view to end our epic trip across this immense arctic plateau, and an image that will stay with us as we head for home.
The final descent into the tiny community of Finse is a great way to finish this tour. We have 8km (5 miles) of descent with the prospect of the comforts of Finsehytta at the end of the day. This famous hut is located a short walk from the Oslo to Bergen railway where Finse can claim to be the highest 'stop' on the Norwegian railway system.
Finse, which sits at 1222 metres (4009ft) is home to the Alpine Research Centre which since 1972 has attracted biologists, geologists, geophysicists and other researchers from a wide range of Norwegian and international institutions.
Ascent: 400m (1312ft) Distance: 28km (17.5 miles)
This morning we can enjoy a final relaxed breakfast at Finse DNT Hut before the short trip to the railway station and mid-morning train to Oslo and your onward travel arrangements.
For 'Arrival & Departure' details please refer to the 'Trip Information' section.
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.
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 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.
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 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 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.
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.
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.
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 rail travel to Norway from all major European cities. For example from the UK you can overnight in Copenhagen, Denmark, however, there are many possibilities. The easiest way to book is via Rail Europe or The Train Line. If you're travelling from the UK or USA then take a look at the multi-day pass travel system provided by Eurail. If you would like to book each stage as an individual journey you can view the example given below which shows how to get from the UK to Copenhagen, in Denmark.
Travel from London, England, to Brussels, Belgium using the Eurostar. These tickets can be purchased up to 6 months ahead of your travel date. Then book a train from Brussels, in Belgium to Gothenburg, in Sweden, (Gotëborg) adding a stopover in Copenhagen, Denmark. For this you can use the German Railway website. A full day on the train sees you arriving in Copenhagen in the evening.
The final leg of your journey is from Gothenburg Central Station, in Sweden, to Oslo, Norway, and this can be booked using Vy the Norwegian rail network. All the trains have Wi-Fi, charging points and a restaurant car.
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 1030hrs 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 1031 hrs and arrives at Oslo Gardermoen airport at 1547 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.
Activity, Injury and Mountain Rescue
It is a condition of booking that you are insured against medical expenses, injury, illness, death, cost of repatriation and personal accident risks. For all of our trips your insurance must also cover mountain rescue. The exception to this is if the trip is being held in the United Kingdom or Norway where mountain rescue is free of charge. 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.
Trip Cancellation/Curtailment Insurance
You should also have insurance to cover trip cancellation and curtailment. Insurance should be booked as soon as we have confirmed that your trip is going ahead. 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.
All of the above insurances are detailed in our Terms and Conditions. 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.
Clothing
Comfort
Personal First Aid
Documentation
Additional Items
**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 £140. 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.
DNT Cabins are either 'staffed' or 'self-service'. Staffed cabins usually have showers, and drying rooms for damp clothing. They also have a licence to serve alcohol and normally sell a few basic items such as snacks, batteries, first aid items etc. If you wish further details about your particular trip and the accommodation please look at the individual accommodation items which have a hyperlink to the cabin website for further information.
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. Almost all of them have showers and electricity, either from the power grid or from a local generator and you will be able to charge electrical items. 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.
You can read more about the DNT system and what to expect in terms of accommodation at the cabins in our Blog.
Food
On all of our trips we encourage you to experience local tastes and dishes.
If you are vegetarian catering for your diet is not generally a problem. If you have a 'special' diet because of an allergy/intolerance we would ask that you make your needs clear on your booking form so we can discuss your requirements with the accommodation as soon as possible. A diet that is not related to an allergy/intolerance or beliefs cannot be catered for. It is simply not possible for mountain accommodation to deal with many variations in diet while providing meals for groups.
In addition, if you have an allergy/intolerance we would suggest you bring/purchase suitable snacks as a supplement to the picnic lunches. At times finding gluten free bread, for example, can be an issue. If you would like to discuss the suitability of a trip for a vegan diet, gluten or lactose intolerance please contact us.
We request that you do not CHANGE your dietary requirements during the trip as we will have pre-ordered your meals.
Water
The countries we visit all have tap water which is drinkable. If for any reason a particular hotel or mountain hut is having a problem with a water supply they will normally post a sign over the tap indicating that you must not drink the water.
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.
New European Travel Regulations from mid 2025
If you are a guest travelling to one of our European holidays you may be impacted by a significant change to travel regulations expected to be in place from the middle of 2025. The new EITAS scheme will start operating this year and, whilst a start date is not yet confirmed, it is likely to affect our summer holidays in 2025 and any winter holiday thereafter. As your holiday approaches we recommend that you check for updates on the website HERE.
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.
Tracks and Trails pays guides/instructors a fair and appropriate fee for their professional service. However, if you feel your guide/instructor has provided an excellent service that went 'above and beyond' then it is at the discretion of each guest whether to tip or not. Guests will often give a tip of between 2 - 5 per cent of the total value of their trip. It is entirely up to you and any gesture will no doubt be appreciated no matter the size.
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.
Prices may vary depending on date.
| Dates | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Sun 16 Mar - Sun 23 Mar Code: HVO1 |
Price: £2095 | Spaces available | Book |
| Dates | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Sun 15 Mar - Sun 22 Mar Code: HVO1 |
Price: £2180 | Spaces available | Book |
| From Price | £2095 |
| Holiday Type | Low Impact |
| Duration | 8 Days |
| Group Size | 4-8 |
| Minimum Age | 18 |
| Maximum Altitude | 1700m (5577ft) |
| Countries Visited | Norway |
| Meet In | Haukeliseter, Norway |
