DNT Patchellhytta mountain lodge

Totally restored and added onto in 1996, it is a self-service cabin with provisions. Altogether there are 23 beds, including the loft, a utility room, lounge and kitchen with 2 gas cookers. The cabin has a slipper rack with slippers for free use! Fully restored, with 5 bunks, the original Patchellhytta stone cabin is approx. 100 m further south.

Take the main road from Stranda towards Hellesylt. After approx. 4 km, turn west to Engeset, and continue on the toll road up Habostaddalen to Liaseter. From here a trail to the cabin, about 3 hours. Alternatively, a trail from Øye in Hjørundfjorden, steeply up Skylstadbrekka to Habostaddalen, or a trail from Brunstad in Velledalen through Brunstadskaret.

DNT cabins - general information
DNT members are given discounts on lodgings at all cabins and on served meals at the staffed lodges. They have priority on bunks when cabins are crowded and can borrow cabin keys against a deposit.

Lodgings can not always be booked in advance. Everyone who comes to a cabin will have a place to sleep, either in a bunk or on a mattress on the floor if all bunks are taken. The staffed lodges serve meals, but you shouldn't arrive past serving times.

Members can book stays of three nights or more at most staffed lodges, except in high seasons, when the cabins are crowded.

In southern Norway, the member associations have large staffed lodges and most other cabins are self-service. In northern Norway, the member associations have only no-service cabins.

There are three types of cabins with lodgings: Staffed lodges, self-service cabins and no-service cabins:

Staffed lodges serve breakfast and dinner. Many have showers and electricity, either from the power grid or from a local generator. The staffed lodges are open only in certain seasons. Many staffed lodges have self-service or no-service cabins for accommodation out of season. The self-service facilities are not available when the lodge is staffed in season.

The self-service cabins are equipped with all that trekkers need for cooking and sleeping. Firewood, gas, kitchen utensils, table linen and bunks with blanks or duvets and pillows (hut sacks, also known as hut sleepers, are required!) The cabins are also stocked with provisions including tinned goods, coffee, tea, rye crispbread and powdered soup packets, but the selection can vary from cabin to cabin.

Here trekkers look after themselves: fetch water, cook food, wash up and chop wood. In high seasons, some cabins have wardens that assist in organising work. You can pay by direct debit single authorization or by a bank giro drawn on your account. Many self-service cabins are closed for periods during the year.

No-service cabins usually have the same equipment as self-service cabins, but they have no provisions. There also are a few simpler no-service cabins where you'll need a sleeping bag and perhaps more equipment. The descriptions of the cabins include specifications of their equipment. Some of the no-service cabins are closed for periods during the year.

Private staffed lodges resemble but may have higher or lower standards and prices than DNT staffed lodges. Some are real hotels. The seasons of opening vary just as for DNT staffed lodges. A few of the private cabins have limited or no food service. You can advance book at some private cabins to be sure of lodgings, as described in the cabin overviews.

Private self-service cabins resemble their DNT counterparts, but may have different standards, prices and food selections.

Private no-service cabins resemble their DNT counterparts, but may have different standards and prices.

The letter R at the end of a cabin overview means that DNT members are entitled to a discount.

Cabin seasons
Most staffed lodges are open from late June until early September, but some have longer or shorter seasons. Many no-service cabins also close in some seasons. Seasons usually are stated in the cabin lists for each trekking area. The local trekking associations, as well as DNT online at www.turistforeningen.no, list seasons for all association as well as most private cabins.

Locking - The DNT Cabin Key
Self-service and no-service cabins are locked with the standard DNT cabin key. If you are a member of DNT or of an affiliated association in another country, you can borrow a DNT cabin key against a deposit of NOK 100, which is refunded upon return. You can pick up and return cabin keys at staffed lodges, DNT member association offices as well as at the offices of DNT representatives in Norway and in other countries.

Many self-service and no-service are unlocked. Some have their own locks. Some cabins are completely closed and not available in some seasons. A cabin may be closed to protect local animals and birds, to comply with an agreement with the owner, or because the trekking association leases it only for certain seasons. Some unstaffed cabins require advance booking, as described in the cabin overviews for each trekking area.

The locking arrangements usually are stated in the cabin lists for each trekking area.

Payment
Most staffed lodges have Point-Of-Sale (POS) terminals for payment by debit or credit card. At self-service and no-service cabins you can pay with credit card by filling out an authorisation form ("Betalingsfullmakt") available at the cabin. On the form you must state your credit card number and date of expiration. Drop the form into the payment box/safe at check out. Keep part 2, this is your copy.