Hiking to the DNT Nøkksætra cabin in Svolvær

Hiking to the new DNT Nøkksætra cabin is a fun adventure and one of the best Lofoten hikes we did during our 6 weeks spent there. This DNT hut has been beautifully built and sits in the mountains near Svolvær, Lofoten.

Our Airbnb during our trip to Lofoten in winter was very close to the trailhead for Nøkksætra so we couldn’t resist heading out on the Nøkksætra hike one weekend morning.

We wouldn’t be staying at the cabin since we’re not members of the Norwegian Hiking Association (DNT), and so weren’t able to go inside since you need to be a member to get the key from the tourist information in Svolvær.

However, the hike-up offered some incredible views and felt very remote. We didn’t see a single person the whole time!

If you’re looking for a great hike in Svolvær that’s quieter than nearby Fløya and the Djevelporten or harder than Tjeldburgtind, then hiking to Nøkksætra could be for you!

The Nøkksætra hike in Svolvær

The usual path takes a bridge across the lake. However, this bridge broke a few years ago and though the local community has been trying to raise funds to build another, they’ve not managed yet (so our Airbnb hosts told us).

In winter, it may be possible to walk across the lake once it’s frozen but this is entirely at your own risk.

Read more: The best camping in the Lofoten Islands

We started from the Alpinklubb which was a 20-minute walk from our Airbnb.

From the bottom of the ski hill, walk towards the large building/cafe and then follow the trail of boardwalks which take you downhill towards the lake.

What follows from here is several kilometres of easy walking over boardwalks in the valley of the mountains.

There are some sections that are pretty muddy since they’re super close to the lake.

As we hiked this in winter and the lake was safely frozen over, we were able to walk over the lake in places where it was too icy on the trail.

Continue following the trail as it bends to the left slightly, before bending right again and walking alongside the lake once more.

Read more: Hiking guide to Reinebringen, Reine

Pretty much this entire trail is boardwalks as the ground is otherwise very boggy and muddy. Stick to the boardwalks so as to not damage the environment.

Soon you’ll come to a split in the trail where you can go forward to where the bridge used to cross over the lakes. To continue on the trail, make a left turn, and keep the water to your right.

As you walk along the banks of Øvre Svolværvatnet the trail remains flat.

Soon you’ll see a signpost point you uphill to DNT Nøkksætra.

At this point you’ll head left, up through the forest – keep an eye out for bird sightings there were lots of bird houses here so I’m sure it’s a popular place for them!

The trail winds up over rocky terrain and you’ll finally be climbing uphill

After you emerge from the forest, there’s a little light relief and you can see what’s coming up in front of you.

There are a lot of rocks to navigate here which can be tricky in icy and wet conditions.

Look for the cairns and markers painted onto the rocks and follow the path as it twists uphill.

Then, the trail begins to flatten out a bit and it’s a case of following the trail until you drop down slightly and get your first glimpse of the beautiful DNT Nøkksætra cabin!

The cabin sits on the edge of a lake and has 360-degree mountain views. It would be an absolutely beautiful place to wake up.

If you’re a DNT member, enjoy a warm drink or a night in the cabin before hiking down the way you came.

Nøkksætra hike stats

Here are the key details to know about the Nøkksætra hike.

• Distance: 9.4km
• Duration: 3-4 hours
• Elevation: 511 m
• Difficulty: Moderate – hard (quite long, the last section gets quite steep, but no exposure or scrambling)

Things to know before hiking to Nøkksætra

Here are a few things you should know before hiking to Nøkksætra.

• You need to be a member of DNT if you want to go in or stay in, DNT Nøkksætra – Norway’s hiking association. Learn more here.
• Always practice leave no trace ethics. Not sure what those are? Get a refresher here.
• Remember to respect the terrain, environment, and other users while you are enjoying the trails.
• Follow the three Ts—trip planning, training, and taking the essentials.
• Don’t leave home without your 10 essentials. They could save your life!
• Do not walk off the trail – this damages the environment which is very fragile and leads to trail closures being put in place.
• Read up on the Lofoten Code of Conduct to minimise your impact.

AllTrails is my go-to hiking app for finding, planning, and navigating while I’m out on the trails. With offline maps on AllTrails+ you can be confident you’re still on the right track, even without mobile signal.

How to get to the trailhead for the Nøkksætra in Svolvaer

Most people start the hike from the center of Svolvær, either parking in the town or across the road from the Circle K garage.

Parking in Svolvær is paid parking except for on Sundays.

You can pay through the Easy Park app on your phone.

Alternatively, you can start your hike from the Alpinklubb – the ski hill – in Svolvær. There’s a narrow road that goes up to the base of the ski hill. Sometimes there is a gate that is closed and you won’t be able to get around it in your car. In this case, you can park by Lofoten Feriesenter by the small pond a few hundred meters away.

The trailhead used to start from the northern end of Nedre Svolværvatnet and involved crossing over a bridge where the two lakes join.

However, this bridge is no longer in place so you will need to start from the Alpinklubb or in downtown Svolvær and walk along the roads to the Alpinklubb.

Read more: What you should know before travelling to Lofoten

What to pack for hiking to Nøkksætra

Remember to check specific trail regulations and recommendations before heading out, as certain trails may have specific requirements or advisories. Always check the weather forecast and be prepared for sudden changes in conditions, especially in mountainous areas like Northern Norway.

Below are some basics you should pack for this hike in Lofoten, but feel free to adjust as necessary.

• Backpack: 20-40 liters, depending on the length of your hike and the equipment you need
• Base Layers: Moisture-wicking, synthetic or wool.
• Mid Layer: Fleece or wool sweater.
• Insulating Layer: Down or synthetic jacket (especially for colder conditions).
• Shell Jacket: Waterproof and breathable.
• Hiking Pants: Preferably ones that can convert to shorts.
• Waterproof Pants: Lightweight and packable.
• Hat: Both a sun hat and a warm beanie.
• Gloves: Lightweight for summer, insulated for colder weather.
• Hiking Boots: Waterproof, with good ankle support.
• Socks: Wool or synthetic, with an extra pair packed.
• Gaiters: For muddy or snowy conditions.
• Water Bottles/Bladder: At least 2 liters capacity.
• First Aid Kit: Include bandages, pain relievers, antiseptic wipes, blister treatment, etc.
• Multi-tool or Knife: For general use and emergencies.
• Headlamp: With extra batteries.

Read more: Hiking Kvalvika beach and Ryten, Lofoten

Ski touring to Nøkksætra

Nøkksætra and the surrounding area are popular for ski touring in the winter. It’s a great winter hiking trip. forski touring in Lofoten.

If you’re going out in the snow, make sure you have avalanche training and know how to use it.

For those planning to stay at DNT Nøkksætra, check out my ski touring packing list. This was for three days, but reduce the amount of clothing and food and it’ll be perfect for an overnight trip.

Also, since this is a backcountry ski hut, you of course won’t need to pack your tent!

About DNT Nøkksætra

The DNT Nøkksætra lodge has 6 beds on the 1st floor and 10 on the mezzanine floor and includes a dining/sitting area as well as a wood-fired stove and washrooms.

The lake in front of the cabin, Austre Nøkkvannet, is good for swimming and fishing.

To stay at DNT Nøkksætra you must contact the Svolvær tourist information office. They handle booking the Nøkksætra cabin and you must book and pay in advance.

The cabin is not open for day trips and you must bring a sleeping bag liner, or sleeping bag to sleep in.

At least one member of your hiking group must be a member of DNT in order to book the cabin. You can see a DNT map and where to find these Lofoten cabins online.

Final thoughts on this DNT Lofoten hut – Nokksaetra

For this DNT svolvær hut, you’ll need to be a member of the DNT and you can get a key for the cabin from the Svolvaer tourism office This hut isn’t open to day-trippers so you’ll want to plan to stay overnight if you want to go inside. However, even if you don’t go inside, this is a beautiful hike with some amazing views and it’s pretty cool to admire the cabin from outside too.

If you’re looking for more things to do in Lofoten, check out this guide to what to do in Henningsvaer, as well as this guide on how to see the Northern Lights in Lofoten, find the best Lofoten beaches and check out this guide to where to camp in Lofoten Islands too.

Last Updated on August 28, 2023 by Hannah