Tjørnbrotbu - DNT-cabin
Tjørnbrotbu is self-service and owned by Aust-Agder Tourist Association.
The cabin is located at 1300 meters above sea level and about 11 km from Hovden. It is self-service and has sleeping accommodations for 22 people, divided between the main cabin and the emergency shelter. The terrain to the cabin is relatively easy to walk in, but the landscape is open (plateau landscape) and can be very weather-exposed. Therefore, you should be well-prepared with clothing and other equipment.
On foot to Tjørnbrotbu
From Hovden, there are two alternative starting points:
Alternative 1 starts from a parking lot about 1 km north of the center and follows a gravel road for the first two kilometers to "Juvet" by Børtemannsbekken.
Alternative 2 starts at a large parking lot about 3 km north of Hovden, opposite Hovden Fjellstoge. From here, you follow the beautiful Børtemannsbekken towards "Juvet". Note that during periods of high water flow, it can be challenging to follow this route, as you may need to cross streams.
At the large bridge at "Juvet", both starting alternatives meet, and the T-marked trail continues south on the west side of Børtemannsbekken. The terrain consists of a gentle uphill and is relatively easy to walk in. The steepest part of the trail is at the very end, the last two kilometers up to the cabin.
From Tjørnbrotbu, you can continue on the T-marked trail either north to Bjåen or south to Berdalsbu.
On skis to Tjørnbrotbu
In winter, ski trails are prepared towards Tjørnbrotbu, and from Hovden, you can follow a prepared trail until only 2.1 km remain to the cabin. This last section is only marked with branches. Further from the cabin, there is a marked trail south to Berdalsbu and from there to Bjørnevasshytta.
The trails are usually marked from winter vacation until Easter vacation, and this work is carried out by the Tourist Association. For more information about the cabin and the trail network, see se here