The Norwegian Trekking Association, established by the Norwegian banker and philanthropist Thomas Heftye, have promoted trekking for more than 150 years. Today, Den norske Turistforening is Norway’s largest outdoor life organization, with more than 260,000 members in 57 local member organizations across the country. Enjoy a spectacular Autumn in a Norwegian High Mountain Tourist Lodge
The local member associations operate 550 cabins across the country, mark routes and ski tracks. At the tourist cottage Snøheim (Snowhome), you can wander on Norway’s roof, and gather strength in authentic 1950s interiors.
Popular hikes
Big brother Snøhetta towers strong three hours away and with nine 2000 meters (6,562 feet) of peaks in walking distance, Snøheim has become an institution in less than ten years.
“United and true until Dovre falls,” said the men at Eidsvold; a statement that bears witness to the importance of the mountain range in Norwegian identity and cultural history. Snøhetta rises to 2,286 meters (7,500 feet) above sea level, the highest point in Norway outside of Jotunheimen National Park. On a sunny day, the route to the top is a popular hike with views of the surrounding Dovrefjell mountain range and beyond.
Three months’ season
Snøheim is open three months a year and has 5,000 overnight guests during that period. In addition, there are about 10,000 daily visitors. The 2019 season is from 28 June to 6 October.
Reinheim Turisthytte was built by The Norwegian Trekking Association (DNT) in 1952. When the Norwegian army developed its Hjerkinn shooting field in 1959, the military forces took over the lodge. In the autumn of 2007 DNT got the lodge back from the Army. The lodge re-opened in 2012, and the name was changed to Snøkeim. Today it is a DNT lodge with 80 bunks, in rooms with two and four bunks.
Going there
Driving to the lodge is not allowed, but during the season, there is a shuttle bus from Hjerkinn, leaving five times per day in each direction.
Spectacular Autumn in a Norwegian High Mountain Tourist Lodge, written by Tor Kjolberg