A “dagtur hytte” is a Norwegian term that translates to “day trip cabin” in English. It refers to a small, simple cabin designed for short visits rather than overnight stays. These cabins are often located in nature areas, near hiking trails, and provide shelter, seating, and sometimes a fireplace for day-trippers. They are meant to encourage outdoor recreation by offering a cozy place to rest, eat, and warm up during a hike or ski trip.
Many Norwegian municipalities and outdoor organizations maintain dagtur hytter as part of efforts to promote outdoor activities for families and individuals. Would you like to know where to find some?
Terje Vigen-stua is a day-trip cabin (dagsturhytte) located on Morvigpynten in Østerhus, Grimstad, Norway. Named after Henrik Ibsen’s 1862 poem “Terje Vigen,” which tells the story of a local man’s resilience during the Napoleonic Wars, the cabin offers visitors a place to rest and enjoy the coastal scenery.
The 25-square-meter cabin features a wood-burning stove (visitors should bring their own firewood), solar-powered lighting, and a small library with books on nature, local history, and folklore. An outdoor toilet is situated nearby. The cabin is intended for day visits and is always open; overnight stays are not permitted.
To reach Terje Vigen-stua, park at Østerskogen 36 in Østerhus Industrial Area and follow the marked trail to Morvigpynten. The 1.2-mile (approximately 2 km) round-trip hike is considered easy and takes about 30 minutes to complete.
Opened in April 2024, the cabin has become a popular destination, attracting nearly 10,000 visitors within six months. It is part of the “Dagsturhyttene i Agder” project, a collaboration between Agder County Municipality and Sparebankstiftelsen SR-Bank, aiming to promote outdoor activities across the region.
For a visual overview of Terje Vigen-stua and its surroundings, you might find the following video helpful: