If you’re basing yourself in Kristiansand (Kristiansand) and looking for a dramatic detour into Norway’s mountain heartland, Haukeli (Haukelifjell) is the name to know. Though better known in western and central Norway as a high-mountain pass on the European route E134 (E134), Haukeli is surprisingly relevant to travelers in southern Norway. It forms one of the most scenic gateways from the soft beaches and white wooden towns of the South Coast (Sørlandet) to the rugged plateaus of the Hardangervidda (Hardangervidda), making it an inspiring day trip or a memorable leg on a longer road journey from Kristiansand.
Historically, Haukeli has been a vital east–west corridor. Long before modern tunnels and snow plows, people crossed these uplands with packhorses and sleds, trading fish from the fjords for grain from the valleys. The old postal and trade tracks that once threaded over the pass are a reminder of how Norway’s coastal and inland communities stayed connected. With the development of the E134 (E134), Haukeli became a year-round lifeline between the West Coast (Vestlandet) and the southeast, and it still carries a sense of adventure—storms can blow in quickly, and snow walls linger into late spring.
For visitors starting in Kristiansand, Haukeli is typically reached by driving north through the Setesdal Valley (Setesdal), a beautiful route in its own right, renowned for folk culture, silvery rivers, and summer farms. At Hovden (Hovden), the road swings toward the high country, climbing past lakes and heathered moorland until the mountains open wide. In good weather, the views are classic Norway: bare rock, glacier-scoured slopes, and water everywhere. It’s a photogenic contrast to the coastal scenes back in the Fish Market (Fiskebrygga) and the Old Town (Posebyen) of Kristiansand.
Practicalities matter here. Even in late spring, temperatures at Haukeli can be far colder than on the coast, and conditions change fast. Check the Norwegian Public Roads Administration (Statens vegvesen) updates for the E134 (E134), especially in winter when convoys or temporary closures are possible. Summer brings excellent hiking, fishing, and cabin stays, while winter offers reliable skiing at the Haukeli Ski Center (Haukelifjell skisenter) and across nearby plateaus. Pack layers, carry snacks, and fuel up before the high stretch—services are spaced out compared to the conveniences of downtown Kristiansand.
One of the joys of combining Kristiansand with Haukeli is the cultural layering. You can breakfast by the harbor in the Cathedral Square (Domkirkeplassen), lunch beside a Setesdal stave church replica at the Open-Air Museum (Setesdal bygdemuseum), and dine on trout or reindeer stew at a mountain lodge near Haukeli. Along the way, look for roadside stalls selling brown goat cheese, cloudberries, and cured meats—tastes that echo the region’s farm and herding traditions.
Why is Haukeli worth it for Kristiansand-bound travelers? It’s the quickest way to add “big Norway” to a southern itinerary: a single trip that stitches beaches, forests, valleys, and high mountains into one narrative. Whether you’re planning a loop that returns via the Telemark Canal (Telemarkskanalen), continuing west toward the Hardanger Fjord (Hardangerfjorden), or simply chasing a day of mountain air before a coastal sunset, Haukeli turns Kristiansand from an end point into a perfect launch pad.