Huddled around the warm glow of candlelight on the cabin’s cushioned bench seats, Jørgen handed each of us a miniature bottle of Norwegian aquavit. We were still distant from the harshness of the oncoming Scandinavian winter, but the glowing, low sun of these September days soon gave way to a biting chill at night. The three-pronged approach of a well-stocked wood-burning stove, cosy woollen blankets and the warming spirit was welcomed.
Some bikepacking purists may insist on carrying all their own camping gear with them, but there’s sometimes a smarter – and in this case, far more magical – approach. Travel to Scotland and make use of small stone-built bothies, or enjoy the lively wooden mountain refuges in the Alps. Here in Norway, there’s a huge network of wilderness cabins…
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Cycling Plus (Digital) - 1 Issue, January 2025