7-day "hut-to-hut" along the coast: ferry + trail + hut
The Norwegian word 'kystruta' is incredibly versatile, with two meanings that offer a wealth of potential. The first is the route taken by local boats that loop between islands like amphibious postmen, which is just fantastic! The second is an amazing hike that combines a ferry, a trail and a hut. In the morning, you get to make coffee in your cabin, at lunchtime you leave your backpack in the hallway of a DNT-stølle, and in the evening you watch the sunset over the fjord turn the granite into molten amber.
The Coastal Hut Trek route is an absolute gem, connecting seven boat "jumps" and six DNT huts along the stunning northern coast of Helgeland. In just one week, you'll have the incredible opportunity to cover a whopping 83 kilometres, cross four majestic fjords by ferry, and experience some of the top 10 national park hikes in Norway! And the best part? You won't spend a penny on hotels! Every night, you'll have a bed, a stove, and kitchen utensils, all paid for by your annual DNT membership.
🌊 Day by Day: 7-Day Helgeland Coastline Loop
| Day | Ferry Section | Distance / Elevation | Overnight Stay (DNT Hut) | Highlights of the Day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bodø → Støtt | 11 km / +220 m | Støtt Bryggebu | Lighthouse from 1867; dinner of dried cod |
| 2 | Støtt → Rødøya | 14 km / +440 m | Rødøyløva Gapahuk | Climb to the “Lion’s Head” – 270° fjord view |
| 3 | Rødøya → Ågskardet | 8 km / +180 m | Søre Vikvatn Bu | Forest trail under Svartisen glacier |
| 4 | Ågskardet → Halsa | 15 km / +520 m | Marka Gård-Stølen | Hostess bakes waffles while you learn to milk a goat |
| 5 | Halsa → Træna (Husøya) | 13 km / +310 m | Træna Overnatting | Kirkhelleren Cave; Photoshop “rock portal” lesson |
| 6 | Træna → Lovund | 12 km / +350 m | Lovund Rorbucamp | Sunset at Love Bird Peak; puffin colony |
| 7 | Lovund → Tønnes → Bodø | 10 km / +260 m | — (finish) | Final serpentine to the Kyststien memorial plaque |
All sections are synchronized with the express boat (Hurtigbåt 23–26) timetable. One general booking in the Entur app is sufficient — the “Island Hopper” fare includes a bike or kayak free of charge.
7 questions and answers about the Coastal Hut Trek
- How much does the backpack weigh and how should I distribute my gear?
The basic set weighs 11–12 kg at the start: a sleeping bag rated for +5 °C, a change of thermal underwear, down sleeping bags, 230 g of gas, and food for three days. The huts have firewood, dishes and sheet covers; every two days you can replenish your provisions at the cooperative on the pier. - Do I need to book the huts?
Yes. The hyttebestilling.dnt.no system opens 90 days in advance. We recommend booking your "mattress" at Støtt and Træna at least a month in advance: groups of photographers use up the quota quickly. - How do I get a DNT key?
Get a digital "Nøkkel" in the DNT app; the Bluetooth lock can be opened with your smartphone, even offline. - Are there any difficulties with ferries?
Passengers are accepted without reservation, but please reserve space for your backpack and kayak with Entur at least 24 hours in advance. In winds greater than 12 m/s, ferries may be delayed, so allow for an extra half day. - Is the glacier water on the route drinkable?
Yes, but during thaws it may have a clayey "milky" tint. The Sawyer Mini filter weighs 65 g and will remove any cloudiness. - What is the avalanche warning level?
The trails are closed in winter. From May to September, snow remains only on the Svartvass pass, where there are markers every 50 metres. - What should I do in bad weather?
Each hut has a "storm day": stay there, write down your story in the logbook, stoke the stove and wait for the storm to pass. The ferry ticket is flexible for 48 hours, and the schedule can be adjusted.
✈️ Small Life Hacks for a Big Journey
| Trick | Saves | How |
|---|---|---|
| Rødøy Draught pit stop | 2 kg in your backpack | On the pier they serve a hearty soup—protein + salt makes the perfect isotonic drink. |
| Tellt Sea-Temp map | 1 hour of planning | The app shows actual water temperature (+12…14 °C)—decide if you need a wetsuit. |
| Farm workout | 2 × Powerbank | At Marka Gård-Stølen there are 10 A sockets; a 20 NOK donation charges all your devices. |
| Dryer in Lovund | 0.5 kg of dry bags | There’s a tørkeskap in the rorbu—clothes dry overnight so no spare change of clothes needed. |
✈️ Små lifehacks for en stor reise
| Triks | Sparer | Hvordan |
|---|---|---|
| Rødøy Draught pit stop | 2 kg i sekken | På brygga koker de en kraftig suppe—protein + salt gir perfekt isotondrikk. |
| Tellt Sea-Temp-kart | 1 t planlegging | Appen viser faktisk vanntemperatur (+12…14 °C)—avgjør om du skal ta med våtdrakt. |
| Gårdstrening | 2 × Powerbank | På Marka Gård-Stølen er det 10 A-kontakter; for 20 kr kan du lade alle enhetene. |
| Tørkeskap i Lovund | 0,5 kg tørre poser | Det er tørkeskap i rorbua—klærne tørker over natten, så du slipper å bære ekstra skift. |
The Helgeland coast is a perfect example of how stunning routes through Norway's national parks don't always have to go deep into the mainland. They can "jump" from island to island, glide along on a motorboat, sleep under the roof of an old rorbu, and start each morning with a new perspective.
Get your backpack ready, book those ferries, and download the GPX tracks! And don't forget to jot down your own notes in the hut logs. When you return, be sure to share the coordinates of your favourite viewing rocks, the best cabin and the incredible fisherman's breakfast that kept you going on the fourth day with our magazine. This will add to our already comprehensive catalogue of outdoor adventures in Norway, where every fjord and every cabin is linked in a starry chain of a seven-day journey.
