Skålabu

Skålabu and Skålatårnet - two completely unique cabins 1843 meters above sea level, rising from Nordfjord. The ascent has been named Norway’s longest uphill climb, not without reason. The trip is steep and long, but the view is phenomenal on a sunny day. The closest neighbor is Jostedalsbreen and the mountains surrounding Norway’s largest glacier. A visit here is a memory for life! Skålabu and Skålatårnet each have their own page on ut.no. Familiarize yourself with the information about both cabins before booking/making the trip. Both cabins are open, but the wood-burning stove at Skålatårnet is shut off from September 1st to June 20th to best preserve the stone tower. Facts about Skålabu: The cabin is located 1843 meters above sea level, in barren, steep high mountain terrain close to Jostedalsbreen. Total number of sleeping places: 20. Number of beds available for booking: 20. Number of beds for drop-in: 0. T-marked trail from Tjugen, Loen. Easiest starting point: Tjugen, Loen. 8 km steep, good trail, stairs, and rock. Snow for parts of the season. Hiking season: July - Oct. Ski season: Not marked, recommended only with special competence. Skålabu does not have drop-in beds; advance booking is required. Cabin host for parts of the summer season. Skålabu cabin, with its exciting architecture, is open and accessible all year round, unlike Skålatårnet which is primarily used during summer. The cabin has a provision store with a good selection and everything you need for cooking and your stay: kitchenware, dinnerware, gas, firewood, and candles. There are duvets, pillows, and blankets. A sleeping sheet, your own bed linen, or a sleeping bag is mandatory. Skålabu has limited common area/kitchen and can be crowded during peak season. Be considerate and preferably choose to prepare food that does not require much equipment/time. There is no running water; snow from snowdrifts must be melted/boiled or bring your own water for food/drink. Skålabu: The main cabin, available all year. All 20 beds can be booked, dog crates available. Skålatårnet: The emergency cabin, not used for overnight stays in winter. None of the 15 beds can be booked. Not adapted for dogs. Most of the provisions, toilet, and firewood storage are in the main cabin. Toilet/firewood shed: Connected to the main cabin, 100 meters from Skålatårnet. A floor plan of Skålabu can be found under images. No running electricity or water. Gas stove/oven for cooking, wood-burning stove for heating, outdoor toilet. Solar power system for simple lighting. Possibility for mobile charging. Mobile coverage at the cabin. It is mandatory to bring your own sleeping sheet/sleeping bag/bed linen. Bring drinking water. The water source at the cabin is snow. Refill from Skålavatnet or the stream at Rongjuvskardet. The cabin must be tidied, cleaned, and look nice when you leave it. Be considerate - it can be crowded. Booking and payment: Everyone visiting a DNT cabin must pay. Day visits, overnight stays, food, and other services. Prices 2026. Advance booking - online payment: Book accommodation on hyttebestilling.dnt.no. Advance booking is recommended during peak season, for cabins with few beds, and for groups. Cabins rented as a single unit or with room-only booking must be pre-booked for access. An electronic receipt will be sent upon advance booking. This specifies terms and important information about each cabin. No advance booking, use of the cabin, food, and other services - DNT app: At self-service and unstaffed DNT cabins, you register and pay for overnight stays, day/tent visits, food, and other services in the DNT app. Have you booked in advance? Then the accommodation itself is already paid for – only register food in the app. Remember to download the app before your trip! The app also works without coverage. For best offline functionality, you should open the app before the trip. Read more at dnt.no: https://www.dnt.no/hyttebetaling. DNT cabins have a guestbook; sign in when you arrive. It is easily accessible. You will also find practical information in the same place. Note the payment method for your stay in the right column. For group visits, everyone signs in. Dogs: Dogs are welcome at most of BHT’s cabins in designated areas. For reasons of allergy, hygiene, and others’ fear of dogs, it is important that guidelines for dogs are followed. Guide dogs are exempt from accommodation rules and follow their owner. Skålabu: 2 dog crates are placed in the stairwell at Skålabu. Dogs do not have access to other rooms or to Skålatårnet. Overview of dogs at other cabins. Guidelines for dogs: Guests with a dog must book a dog crate. The dog sleeps there at night. Facilities for dogs are generally in a safety cabin, with limited access to rooms other than where the dog crate is placed. See the overview for each cabin. Dogs must not be in sofas, beds, use blankets, or bedding from the cabin. Bring your own bowl, blanket, and towel. Do not use equipment belonging to the cabin. Clean up well after the dog - also after toilet visits. Always keep the dog on a leash at the cabin and follow current leash laws. Be considerate. Your dog can cause fear in others, even if it is the world’s kindest. Groups: Skålabu is suitable for groups, but be aware that there can be many guests in high season and limited space. Be considerate! Larger groups are recommended to plan their trip for mid-week. Fishing and activities: At Skålabu, it is the striking view and the glacier that attract attention. There are few fishing lakes and hiking trails right by the cabin. Otherwise, the area around Loen is strikingly beautiful and offers many hiking opportunities. Hoven, Raksætra, Loen, and Oldedalen are popular destinations. So are Lodalskåpa and Jostedalsbreen for those seeking greater challenges. Possibility for organized tours there. Significant funds have been used to build the trail to Skåla, and it costs to maintain it. Skålastilaget maintains the trail. If you wish to support the work, Vipps a sum to 128234. We are grateful for all support for this work. Routes to Skålabu: Loen (Tjugen) - Skålabu - summer route - black grading. The route to Skålabu is marked from Tjugen, approx. 2 km from Loen center. Large paid parking lot. The route to Skålabu is 8 km and over 1800 vertical meters. The only place without ascent is on the bridge over Fosdøla and a short section by Skålavatnet. The first part of the trip is on a forest road, then replaced by a good trail and Sherpa stairs, stone, and rock. Snow can remain far into the summer. Sometimes the entire season from approx. 1100 meters above sea level. Weather and conditions change quickly, and you can experience all seasons on the same trip. It is important to follow the marked trail. Then you follow a safe route without exposed areas. It is very steep in the area outside the marked trail. The trip is estimated to take 3-5 hours up and somewhat less down. Feel free to add extra time and a good break at the top. A trip to Skålabu requires good mountain boots, windproof, waterproof, and warm clothes all year round. A good packed lunch and safety equipment such as first aid, a wind sack, extra snacks, and drinks. Map and compass must be included. For most, a trip to Skålabu is experienced as very demanding due to the ascent, but the quality of the trail and marking is good. The reward at the top is great. Feel free to include an overnight stay; then you might be lucky enough to catch both sunrise and sunset! In winter, the trip to Skålabu is very demanding and is only recommended if you have good competence in winter outdoor life and avalanches. In any case, wait until the snow has settled; the season is possibly March-April and May. In mid-May, you must expect to carry skis up to approx. 750 meters above sea level (Tjugensætra). Be aware of possible avalanche danger along the rivers Fosdøla and Skålaelva, and watch out for avalanches on the north side of the summer route after passing Skålavatnet. Map of the area: DNT always recommends bringing a physical map and compass on trips. In the mountains, mobile coverage varies. Weather and trail conditions change quickly. Markings can disappear under snow and in fog. Follow a packing list adapted to the season. Conditions report - bridge overview. Map - Jostedalsbreen 1:50 000. Packing list for mountain trips. The Tour Center at Bergen og Hordaland Turlag - a good selection of maps, hiking equipment, and clothing. 15% member discount and free tour guidance for members going on a DNT cabin trip! Skålabu has received support from the surplus of gaming funds from Norsk Tipping. Skålabu is operated and overseen by Bergen og Hordaland Turlag.