Norway’s mountain trekking association DNT (Den Norske Turistforeningen) is heading for another record summer in terms of overnight visitors registered at its lodges and cabins around the country. Visits in June alone were up 10 percent over June of last year, and that set a record, too.
DNT logged 4,280 overnight stays in June just at its serviced cabins, where meals and bedding are provided. DNT also owns hundreds of unserviced cabins where hikers come with their own food and take care of themselves.
“I think this will be another record summer for the outdoor life,” Nils Øveraas, secretary general of DNT, told news bureau NTB. “This is a good indication that the positive development we’ve seen in recent years is continuing.”
Øveraas said it’s becoming more and more popular to take hiking holidays in the mountains, and stay at the DNT cabins where members get priority and discounts. Excellent weather in most of southern Norway also played a role, with many warm sunny days at the lightest time of the year.
Young Norwegians are also setting records, reported DNT, with more than 30,000 aged 13 to 26 taking part in DNT’s organized hikes and outdoor programs, up 37 percent over the prior year.
newsinenglish.no staff
