Haukeliseter Webcam – Watch Lake Stavatn on Haukelifjell

The Haukeliseter Webcam looks out from Haukeliseter Fjellstue, the Norwegian Trekking Association’s mountain lodge beside the E134 on Haukelifjell in southern Norway, across the lake Stavatn to the mountains on its far shore. In the foreground a gravel path curves down a grassy slope past flat stone slabs, a dark pyramid-shaped wooden structure and a turf-roofed cabin, with a small red-roofed shed at the water’s edge. Beyond the lake, long brown hillsides climb to rocky tops, and in the first days of November the highest of them already carried a dusting of snow. On a calm morning the water holds a mirror image of the far shore. DNT, which runs the lodge, describes the camera as a way to check conditions before a trip, and up here they can turn from autumn grass to deep snow and low cloud within a few weeks.

About Haukeliseter

Haukeliseter sits on Haukelifjell, the high plateau the E134 crosses on its way west to Roldal, about 21 kilometers (13 miles) away as the crow flies. DNT puts the lodge at 1,000 meters (3,281 feet) above sea level, and Stavatn, the lake in front of the camera, lies at 979 meters (3,212 feet). Despite the name, it was never a summer farm. Norway’s road authority began building it as a state mountain lodge in 1868, and it took its first guests in 1869. The road over the mountain was finished in 1889 and has been open all year since 1968. The state sold the lodge in 1963 to Stavanger Turistforening, a member association of DNT, which still runs it.

DNT calls Haukeliseter its largest and most visited hut. It has 174 beds in 48 rooms, a restaurant and a sauna, and it is open every day of the year. The Haukeliekspressen bus stops outside, and guests who arrive by bus receive a Green Card voucher worth 150 kroner for food or non-alcoholic drinks at the lodge.

The mountains around the lake are among the highest in this part of Norway. Store Nup reaches 1,661 meters (5,449 feet) about 6 kilometers (3.7 miles) northwest of the lodge, and Kistenuten rises to 1,648 meters (5,407 feet) about 7 kilometers (4.3 miles) to the southwest. Hardangervidda National Park begins to the north, while the Ryfylke and Setesdal heaths stretch away to the south. This is wild reindeer country, and DNT asks visitors to give the herds space, since roads, cabins and hydropower schemes have already broken up much of their range.

Weather and Climate in Haukeliseter

Winter is long at this height. From December through March, daytime highs typically sit around -2°C to -4°C (28°F to 25°F), and nights fall to about -7°C to -9°C (19°F to 16°F). Met Norway runs a weather station called Haukeliseter Testfelt at 990 meters (3,248 feet), and its records show what the averages smooth over: a low of -28.1°C (-18.6°F) in January 2024, a gust of 121 km/h (75 mph) on February 1, 2024, and snow 214 centimeters (84 inches) deep on April 6, 2024. In late December the noon sun climbs only about 7 degrees above the horizon, so the winter light is brief and low, and on stormy days blowing snow can hide the far shore of the lake entirely.

Spring comes late. April highs average about 1°C (34°F), and May reaches only about 7°C (45°F). July is the warmest month, with highs around 14°C (57°F) and lows near 7°C (45°F), although the station has recorded 22.2°C (72°F). By September highs are back to about 10°C (50°F), and in October they drop to about 4°C (39°F), when the slopes in front of the camera turn the brown and gold seen in early November frames, before the first lasting snow arrives.

Things to Do Near Haukeliseter

Haukeliseter is a classic starting point for hut-to-hut walking. DNT suggests a three-day loop that sets out along the east side of Stavatn to the unstaffed Kvanndalen hut, about 24 kilometers (15 miles) away with 10 beds. It continues to the self-service Holmavatn huts, with 21 beds across two cabins, and returns down Vassdalen over the Turistskaret pass at 1,330 meters (4,364 feet). Longer routes head north into Hardangervidda National Park, and many walkers simply stay at the lodge and take day trips into the surrounding hills.

In winter the lodge becomes a base for ski touring, and the crossing from Haukeliseter to Adneram is listed as a classic on DNT’s ut.no route planner. The lodge also runs courses and events through DNT’s activity calendar and hosts Christmas and New Year stays. The nearest villages are Vagsli, about 11 kilometers (7 miles) to the southeast, and Roldal, about 21 kilometers (13 miles) to the west.

Similar Webcams You Might Like

For more Norwegian mountain views and another lodge on a high mountain road, these cameras are good next stops.

• Finse Railway Station Webcam
• Ulriken Webcam
• Togwotee Mountain Lodge Webcam

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Haukeliseter located?

Haukeliseter is on Haukelifjell in Vinje municipality, Telemark county, in southern Norway. The lodge stands beside the E134 at the east end of the lake Stavatn, about 21 kilometers (13 miles) east of Roldal as the crow flies, with Hardangervidda National Park to the north.

What can you see on the Haukeliseter Webcam?

The camera looks from the lodge grounds across Stavatn and its small rocky islets to the mountains on the far side. In the foreground are a gravel path, stone slabs, a dark pyramid-shaped wooden structure, a turf-roofed cabin and a small shed by the shore. Around midday in late autumn and winter the low sun sits just off the left edge of the picture and can wash that side out with glare.

What is the weather like in Haukeliseter?

Cold and changeable. Winter highs typically stay below freezing, around -2°C to -4°C (28°F to 25°F), while July highs average about 14°C (57°F). The local weather station has measured gusts of 121 km/h (75 mph) and snow more than 2 meters (6.6 feet) deep in April.

How high is Haukeliseter?

DNT gives the lodge’s height as 1,000 meters (3,281 feet) above sea level, and the lake Stavatn lies at 979 meters (3,212 feet). Some references give the lodge as 985 meters (3,232 feet), so the figure depends on the point measured.

Is Haukeliseter Fjellstue open all year?

Yes. Haukeliseter Fjellstue is open every day of the year, with 174 beds in 48 rooms, a restaurant and a sauna. It is DNT’s largest and most visited hut.

Is the E134 over Haukelifjell open in winter?

The road over Haukelifjell has been a year-round route since 1968. Winter conditions at around 1,000 meters (3,281 feet) can still be harsh, so a look at the Haukeliseter Webcam before setting off shows whether snow or cloud is sitting over the mountain.

Can you get to Haukeliseter by bus?

Yes. The Haukeliekspressen bus stops right outside the lodge, and DNT gives guests who arrive by bus a Green Card voucher worth 150 kroner to spend on food or non-alcoholic drinks.

Source: DNT Haukeliseter Fjellstue