Haukelifjell Mountain Road – A Scenic High Mountain Drive in Norway
Haukelifjell mountain road follows the E134 across Southern Norway, connecting east and west between Vinjesvingen and Røldal. It’s one of Norway’s main mountain crossings — and a route many travelers end up driving when road tripping in Norway, sometimes without realizing just how special it is.
Even though the road is wide and relatively easy to drive, this is not a place to rush through. The scenery is wide and open, the mountains rugged and untamed — and right in the middle of it all lies Haukeliseter Mountain Lodge, a natural pause for travelers who enjoy feeling far away from everything.
Crossing Haukelifjell mountain road is never the same twice.
This high mountain stretch is famous for its wild moods — one hour of sunshine, the next a snowstorm. We’ve crossed the pass in May while snow was falling thick around us, even as green valleys waited just beyond the mountains.
Even though the road is open year-round, it often feels like driving through all four seasons in a single trip. Summer brings crystal-clear lakes and long days; autumn paints the moors in deep reds and golds; winter builds towering snow walls along the asphalt. The mountain lakes often stay frozen well into June.
The Road Over Haukelifjell (E134)
As one of the key mountain roads in Norway, Haukelifjell is both an important transport route and a memorable scenic drive in Norway.
- Route: E134 (Edland – Røldal)
- Distance: ~67 km (mountain section)
- Highest point: ~1085 meters above sea level
- Season: Open year-round (short closures during winter storms)
- Toll: No
- Road type: Wide, paved mountain road with exposed sections and demanding winter conditions
What Makes Haukelifjell Mountain Road Special
Haukelifjell isn’t about hairpin turns or dramatic drops — it’s about vastness.
The road runs along the southern edge of the Hardangervidda plateau, surrounded by rolling tundra, shimmering lakes, and the occasional herd of reindeer. The scenery changes constantly — from bright summer sunshine to thick mountain fog that swallows everything but the white centerline.
When the weather clears, the views are spectacular. It genuinely feels like driving across the roof of Norway.
Best Stops Along the Way
Edland & Vinje Area
On the eastern side, near Edland and Vinjesvingen, the landscape becomes greener and more traditional. This is a good place to stop before or after crossing Haukelifjell mountain road.
If you have time, visit Vinjestogo, the childhood home of poet Aasmund Olavsson Vinje — the man who gave the valley its name. Just a few minutes away, Mjonøy is a small gem with a rustic bakery and old timber cabins now used as a charming campsite. The smell of freshly baked bread and traditional Norwegian pastries makes this one of those stops you’ll be glad you didn’t skip.
Before climbing higher into the mountains, stop in Haukeligrend to browse the Sámi handicraft shop (Samesløyd), where you’ll find handmade souvenirs, wool garments, reindeer hides, and other local crafts from Norway’s mountain regions.
The Old Haukelivegen – A Historic Mountain Road
If you want a short detour with a sense of history, parts of the old Haukelivegen still run alongside the modern E134.
This narrow mountain road once served as the main east–west connection before today’s route was built. Some sections can still be driven in summer (always check conditions first), offering a slower, more intimate journey through the landscape — with stone walls, grazing sheep, and views few travelers ever see.
💡 Note: The old road is not suitable for large vehicles or campervans and may be closed during bad weather. Only drive it when conditions are good and the road is clearly open.
Haukeliseter Mountain Lodge
Roughly halfway across the plateau, Haukeliseter Mountain Lodge is a natural stop when driving Haukelifjell mountain road. We’ve stopped here more than once — sometimes just to stretch our legs, other times to sit down with a hot coffee and one of their famous cinnamon buns, watching the weather roll across the plateau.
Founded in the 1800s, the lodge is known for hearty mountain food, homemade meals, and its legendary cinnamon buns, often enjoyed beside a roaring fireplace with views over the surrounding lakes and mountains. It’s also a great base for short walks, fishing, or snowshoeing (walking with snowshoes) in winter.
💡 Even if you’re just passing through, grab a coffee and take a moment by the window — the light and weather up here change constantly, and it’s surprisingly hard to leave.
Cold Mountain Lakes
Between Haukeliseter and the descent toward Røldal, the road passes several crystal-clear mountain lakes. On calm days, the reflections are mirror-like; in stormy weather, waves crash against the rocky shoreline.
There are several small pull-offs where you can stop, stretch your legs, and simply take in the silence of the high mountains.
⛪ Røldal Stave Church
As the road drops down toward Røldal, the scenery changes from open plateau to green valley. Here you’ll find Røldal Stave Church, built around 1250 and one of Norway’s most famous pilgrimage sites.
It’s a beautiful and atmospheric cultural stop after hours of mountain driving.
Small, Unplanned Stops Along the Way
One of the joys of driving Haukelifjell mountain road is everything that isn’t marked on the map. The small pull-offs where you suddenly feel the need to stop — just to take in the view, step out into the mountain air, or walk a few meters up the nearest knoll to see a little farther.
Sometimes it’s the cold, clear mountain water that draws you in, other times it’s an old stone cabin or a weather-beaten koie that looks like it’s been standing here forever, shaped by wind, snow, and time. Traditional Norwegian mountain architecture blends quietly into the landscape, reminding you that people have crossed and used these mountains long before paved roads existed.
These short, spontaneous pauses don’t need a plan. They’re simply moments to slow down, breathe, and feel where you are — and they often become the stops you remember most.
For Campervans & Motorhomes
Haukelifjell mountain road works very well as part of a road trip in Norway by car or campervan, especially outside the winter season.
- The E134 is wide and suitable for larger vehicles
- Overnight parking is possible near Haukeliseter (ask at reception)
- There are a few scenic roadside spots used for free camping in summer
- Fuel stations are available in Edland and Røldal, but not on the mountain itself
Always park responsibly and follow local signs.
Practical Driving Tips
- Check conditions before you go: Weather can change quickly. Always check road updates, especially outside summer.
- Pack for all seasons: Even in July, cold wind and fog are common.
- Fuel up early: Long stretches without services.
- Winter driving: Snow, strong winds, and convoy driving (kolonnekjøring) may occur. Snow chains are recommended.
Make It Part of a Bigger Road Trip in Norway
Haukelifjell mountain road is more than just a mountain crossing — it’s a natural connector on a larger Norway road trip, linking Eastern and Western Norway across the high mountain plateau. We’ve driven this route many times, often on our way west toward Hardangerfjord, Rosendal, Bergen, Sauda, Ryfylke, Haugesund, and Karmøy.
That’s what makes Haukelifjell so practical: it fits seamlessly into longer journeys, whether you’re heading for fjords, coastal roads, or quieter inland valleys.
You can easily combine a drive over Haukelifjell with:
- Hardangerfjord via Røldal and Odda – waterfalls, fjord roads, and orchards in bloom
- Saudafjellet – a narrow, scenic mountain crossing with a wonderfully remote feel
- Telemark scenic routes via Vinje and Haukeli – rolling landscapes, farms, and historic villages
- Setesdal Valley via Hovden – a peaceful southern detour through long valleys and rivers
These routes work perfectly together and can easily be combined into a 7–10 day road trip in Norway, depending on how much time you want to spend exploring along the way.
A Mountain Road of Constant Change
On one trip, you might drive Haukelifjell mountain road in sunshine and t-shirt weather. On another, you’ll pass through snowdrifts taller than your car — sometimes experiencing every kind of weather in a single day.
That’s the beauty of this scenic mountain road in Norway. The mountain decides.
If you’re road tripping in Norway, Haukelifjell is more than just a way from A to B — it’s a reminder to slow down and let the landscape set the pace.
👉 Follow us on Instagram for more real-life road trip moments from Norway — scenic mountain roads, quiet stops, and places worth slowing down for.
Happy road tripping in Norway – Anne Bente 🚐
Get Inspired & Plan Your Next Adventure
- The Snow Road – Aurlandsfjellet Scenic Drive
- Hardangervidda – Across Norway’s Wild Plateau
- Scenic Drives in Norway – Mountain Roads Worth the Detour
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