Haukeliseter fjellstue is owned by Stavanger Turistforening, and might be more of a big tourist lodge than a hotel, but this is a really reccomended accomodation op un the mountains, about 1000 meters above sea level. You will also get lovely food here.
After visiting Gaustablikk Høyfjellshotell and reaching the top of Gaustatoppen, we drove along E134 and stayed a few nights at Haukeliseter fjellstue. We had no big plans, but intended to go on a few short hiking trips, or riding a bike, fishing and visiting Haukeli Husky. We had booked a room well in advance, because we wanted one of the rooms where you can sit outside and just experience the nice view over the water.
Also read: This review in Norwegian
Rooms
The check-in was quick and efficient, and the room we had booked was perhaps the best at the entire location. Too bad we only had this room for two out of three nights.
Plenty of space, a double bed, a bed and an extra bed in addition to the bathroom. The room seemed relatively "new" and had a beautiful view over Ståvatn, the lake just by Haukeliseter fjellstue. It was possible to sit outside, and with the lovely weather we had during our stay, we used this space a lot.
The last night of our stay we had another room in another building. This was located just down from the road and had the windows facing the main road. This had a double bed and a small loft with two single beds. The space wa ok, but there was a lot of noise from the other rooms and from the hallway.
Food and breakfast
Someone told us Gaustablikk Høyfjellshotell was like a factory, and Haukeliseter would something completely different. They were totally right. The food was absolutely delicious, at a very reasonable price.
The breakfast was not overwhelmingly huge, but it tasted good. It was home made with local ingredients. And the food in the restaurant is worth the money. Reinskavgryte - reindeer, the mountain trout and not to mention the Fjellburger - Mountain Burger. Maybe the biggest burger we have ever tasted. Huge portions, tasty, and fairly priced.
The only thing we found very expensive was making a packed lunch at breakfast. Even for members of Turistforeningen this was too expensive.
Activities
At Haukeliseter fjellstue you can take a bath in Ståvatn, which held 16 degress when we were visiting. You may rent boats or kayaks. Most of the visitors are going hiking, longer or shorter hiking trips. It is a excellent starting point for a lot of trips, to some of the tops or to other cabins. We chose som lighter family hiking routes and went to Hermodshola, a cave in the mountain, and then to a lake. The opening of the cave is just about 60x60 centimetres, but grown ups may stand inside.
There is also a lot of fishing possibilites, but the kids got two and thei were very, very small.
Not far from Haukeliseter fjelllstue there is Haukeli Husky, offering trips with husky dogs (dog sledding). Unfortunately we had too nice and hot weather, and it was too hot for the dogs.
Conclusion
If you want an active holiday in the mountains, outdoors, Haukeliseter fjellstue is perfectly locted in the mountains and just by the road. You will get nice accomodation and lovely food.
The prices is a bit high, and we paid over 2000 NOK per night for a family of four, including breakfast. Not inexpensive, but definetly an experience.
Also read: This review in Norwegian
