In the heart of Norway’s rugged wilderness, nestled amidst the tall pines, we embarked to tick off a Norway bucket list adventure. We wanted to find solace in a cabin hidden within the depths of the forest, and all for FREE! We did lots of research and we found a free hiking hut that we share below.
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Norway Camping Cabins: DNT and Statskog
After lots of research we found out about DNT cabins. The DNT is a club that you join, to gain access to keys to unlock many camping cabins in the Norwegian wilderness. As we knew we were leaving, and we only wanted to do one night we didn’t explore it further. So how do you stay in a cabin in Norway as a tourist? We found Statskog, a Norwegian state-owned group that is responsible for the management of many Norwegian forests. They have a great website that share the location of cabins on their land and some of these are free to stay in, you don’t need to be a member of the DNT.
🗺️ Your Ultimate Norway Map
On our way, we created a Google Pinned Map with all the places we visited in Norway. Grab your Pinned Map today and start planning your adventure!
Badstua – The Free Cabin in Norway
We explored their website and found Badstua in Finnskogleden. A modest cabin concealed within the woods, with room for three, it was perfect for us. We decided to do a recce and check out the cabin before we lugged all our stuff. Now it’s important to note some of these cabins are far from the road. We chose this one which was a 30-minute walk from the road (more about the road later) so a scout around was possible. We walked through rural Norwegian villages which were fascinating and so isolated we couldn’t imagine living there.
Our journey to the cabin’s parking area proved an adventure in its own right. In our trusty LWB sprinter, without off-road tires, we braved the initial trail, only to be greeted by colossal potholes and single-track gravel roads. At one point, we struck a particularly menacing pothole on a bridge, a near miracle that our tires remained unscathed. With caution, we decided to pull over and continue our journey on foot. Even though google maps assured us these were roads, we were convinced a 4×4 would struggle and we were glad we made the decision to pull over.
As we approached the cabin, we were surrounded by deer antlers and wood piles. As we opened the cabin door, towering moose antlers greeted us at the entrance, a rustic cottage dresser stood to the left, and in the centre, a stove beckoned. This was a hunter’s sanctuary, a place where one could envision a frosty winter’s eve before embarking on a hunt. An axe and saw, left for our use, to chop wood, to stoke the flames, and to prepare for the next traveller’s stay. A little sign explained you are responsible for chopping the wood for the next traveller to arrive.
Returning to our trusty van, we packed our provisions. Oats for breakfast, lots of water, our Leatherman tool, a lighter to ignite the candles left within the cabin, and layers of warm clothing. The return hike uphill brought an unexpected twist. As we ascended, a hunting dog’s bark pierced the stillness, and we encountered two men, their appearances reminiscent of Viking legends – they were on a hunt. The older of the two men struggled to find the English words and, with confusion, confessed to hunting caterpillars, leaving us with a smile and confusion. These two hunters had claimed the free cabin in Norway for the night, and so we retraced our steps, a bit defeated, back to the van.
How To Get To Badstua: The Remote Norwegian Hut
Here are the instruction given by Statskog
From Kongsvinger, take the E16 about 22 kilometres to Masterudkrysset. There turn left towards Torsby. After 7 kilometres there is a sign towards Varaldskogen. Turn right and follow Sikåvegen for about 12 kilometres before turning left onto Vestre Varaldskogveg. After 0.5 kilometres, turn right onto Otertjernvegen. Park at the north end of Otertjernet and walk the bruised path 0.6 kilometres to Kvåho and Badstua.
We recommend you proceed with caution. The tarmac road ends early on, and you’re left on a pothole track. We stopped before Otertjernet at the P4N spot: Norway 2224- Varaldskogen. We would have probably stopped early if we had known the state of the road. If you have off-road tyres you may be more confident.
We then walked up to Otertjernet and took a right turning up a steep hill. You follow this until a left turning and head to a small settlement where you’ll find the cabin nestled in the corner.
Here is a map of where we parked, a useful map we found and the rough location of Badstua.
Discover more with our full Norway travel guide with costs, itineraries and everything you need to know
What To Pack When Hiking To A Norway Camping Cabin
- Good Sturdy Walking Boots
- Raincoat
- Warm layers
- Hat, buff, gloves
- Snacks
- Leatherman Tool
- Sleeping bag
- Dried Food and Water
- Lighter or Fire Starter
- Camping Pots and Pans
- Go Pro or Camera
- Hiking Poles – if needed
- Leatherman Tool
Best Norway Tours
Norway Bucket List Things To Do
Norway, the land of giants and trolls, meandering roads, epic fjords and much more is a prime destination for a road trip, holiday or cruise. After spending 2 months exploring this Nordic country, we share our top picks from our time on the Scandinavian road.
Top Hike: Pulpit Rock
An outcrop extends over a deep fjord, as you stand on the edge of Preikestolen you’re above the clouds and high on life. A 3 hour trek that is worth every minute.
Epic Viewpoint: Rampestreken
Rampestreken is a 20m extended platform looking out over mountains and fjords, one section is even mesh so you can see the drop right below you. You can hike or catch a cable car here.
Top Waterfall: Trollkirka or Låtefossen
It was too hard to choose just one, so I’ve gone for two. Trollkirka is a waterfall inside a marble cave which involves hiking to a Trolls Church, and Låtefossen which is right on the road but just as spectacular.
Off The Beaten Track: Sleep in a Cabin In The Woods
Norway is a country of adventure, and what better way to experience this than sleeping in a traditional hiking or hunting cabin.
Essential Items for Norway
Allowing you to fill up water whenever and wherever with peace of mind, plus you’re helping the environment
Norway is a hiker’s destination and with challenging hikes such as Pulpit Rock, we were glad to have our poles. We would also recommend reliable Hiking Boots.
If you’re visiting in the shoulder seasons or winter a head torch is a must. The days are short and if you’re camping this is essential.
Life while travelling will never be the same again! Charge multiple devices all at once in any country… game changer.
Top Tips For Travelling Norway
If you’re visiting the Norway here are our top travel tips:
- Book flights in advance – they can become expensive if you leave it last minute. Also don’t forget Apple Airtags to track your luggage
- Norway is vast, take it slow – don’t feel the need to see everything if you only have a short time. Instead spend the time you have discovering the beauty and culture of the area you’re in… plus then you have an excuse to come back.
- Hire a car or motorhome – in our opinion this is the best way to really see Norway. You get to drive down hairpin roads such as Trollstigen and explore the lesser known nooks of the country.
- Be prepared for changing weather – it can be sunny one minute and snowing the next so pack for a range of temperatures and remember “there’s no such thing as bad weather, just inadequate clothing.”
