Haukeliseter to Finse: Hut-to-Hut Trek Across Western Hardangervidda

SummitClimbs Field Note: The trek between Haukeliseter and Finse crosses the western half of Hardangervidda from south to north (or the other way), hut to hut on marked DNT paths. As a summer route via Krækkja, Stigstuv, Sandhaug, Litlos and Hellevassbu, it is about 123 km in six days with about 2,400 m of total ascent, graded demanding, best in July and August. It is the final stage of DNT’s 350 km long-distance route MASSIV, and you walk most of it with Hårteigen, “the guide in the west”, on the horizon.

The Route at a Glance

• Route: Finse – Krækkja – Stigstuv – Sandhaug – Litlos – Hellevassbu – Haukeliseter (or reverse)
• Distance: about 122.8 km, one way
• Time: 6 days (more with rest days)
• Ascent: about 2,414 m in total
• Grade: demanding; marked paths, summer bridges over the bigger rivers
• Season: July and August (in winter, a classic ski route in March–April)
• Getting there: Finse by the Bergen Line; Haukeliseter on the E134 at the southern edge of the plateau

The western plateau is hillier than the east, and the days are long, so some experience of high mountain trips is a good idea before you set off.

Stage by Stage, North to South

1. Finse – Krækkja (about 24 km)

Follow Rallarvegen to the east end of Finsevatnet and cross the dam, then head southeast over Finsefetene, past the junction to Kjeldebu and Store Hansbunuten, along Jøkleelva down to Finnsbergvatnet, and on over the summer bridge across Svartavassåi near Larsbu to Krækkja.

2. Krækkja – Stigstuv (about 20 km)

Up through a small gap and over a summer bridge between Drageidfjorden and Storekrækkja, through the gap west of Halnekollen and down a narrow gorge, past the path to Halne fjellstove, across Road 7 (about 1.5 hours from the start) and on via Lundhaukedalen to the private hut Stigstuv, one of the friendliest old family huts on the plateau.

3. Stigstuv – Sandhaug (about 20 km)

Gentle terrain southwest past Falkabu by Langhylen, over Hellehalsen and an all-year bridge between Langavatnet and Kristentjørn, to Sandhaug, “a pearl in the middle of the plateau” beside Nordmannslågen. A rest day here is a good idea.

4. Sandhaug – Litlos (about 25 km)

South over two summer bridges between Nordmannslågen and Laken, west across boggy ground on boardwalks, over the bridge across Besso, past Bessevatnet and Bismarvatnet, up between Flautenuten and Storahorgi, past the junction to Hadlaskard and down to Litlos, an area known for rich flora and eager fish, far from civilisation.

5. Litlos – Hellevassbu (about 17 km)

Along the west shore of Litlosvatnet, over Fotkjølo and Kvenno on summer bridges, past hunting huts in Søre Belebotnen, steeply up a gap west of Velurenuten and through Buadalen, partly on snow, into a gap west of Buanuten, then down past Øvre Hellevatnet to the self-service hut Hellevassbu.

6. Hellevassbu – Haukeliseter (about 22 km)

Good paths south through hilly terrain, between the Hellevatn lakes, up to Sudskar, over the river at Simletindvatnet and across knolls and ridges down to Haukeliseter, Stavanger Turistforening’s lodge, with panoramic windows looking south.

Before You Go

• Huts: a mix of staffed, self-service and private huts; check opening dates and bring a DNT key for self-service huts.
• Navigation: the paths are marked, but the plateau is open and featureless in fog; carry a map and compass.
• Weather: everything is above the tree line; pack full waterproofs and warm layers even in July.
• Shorten it: Road 7 at Halne, crossed on stage 2, is an exit point; you can also split stages or add rest days.

The SummitClimbs Take

Haukeliseter–Finse is one of Norway’s great hut-to-hut treks: six days across the western Hardangervidda, from the railway to the southern edge of the plateau, with Hårteigen as your guide. Walk it in July or August, book your huts, and give yourself a rest day at Sandhaug. For more routes on the plateau, see our Hardangervidda hiking routes.

Route facts from the UT.no routes SignaTUR MASSIV stage 4 (Hardangervidda) and Hardangervidda on skis from Finse to Haukeliseter.