
ÅSERAL: If you just stumbled across it, you would stop in awe. A castle in the middle of nowhere? Welcome to Lordehytta, as historical and Insta-friendly as they come.
Lordehytta lies in the rugged terrain of Vestheia in Åseral, Agder. It is a majestic hunting lodge that has enchanted visitors for over a century; the logde has the beauty of a small castle, with striking architecture and storied past. Built by Edward Theodore Salvesen, a Scottish lord, between 1910 and 1912, Lordehytta has become a popular destination for hikers and history enthusiasts alike.

Lord Who?

Lord Salvesen was a prominent figure in Scotland in his days. He was a lawyer, judge, and politician.
With relatives and strong ties to Norway, he loved exploring the beautiful nature as a young man. He hiked a lot with his cousin, Birger Pedersen; they fished, hunted and often took the road less travelled.
It is said that the idea came to the lord during a fishing trip. He wanted to build a magnificent hunting lodge up in the highlands. Salvesen supposedly declared that the lodge would be built by the lake where he caught a fish on his very first cast. In the freshwater lake Vivatn, the fish bit immediately, and that’s how it came to be that Lordehytta was built right there. In 1906, Lord Salvesen purchased a large property in the highlands, spanning between 15,000 and 17,000 acres, and work on constructing Lordehytta began.
Constructed with a lot (!) of effort, the project required the import of prefabricated materials from Scotland. These materials were shipped to the port of Mandal, then transported by horse and cart to Kyrkjebygda in Åseral. Finally, it was carried into the wilderness by pack horses. Local farmers contributed to the transportation. They knew the landscape and how to navigate in the wild.
It was hard work, for a lot of people. But the result was an extraordinary logde of around 200 square meters, adorned with nine gables and intricate carvings of animal figures. Additional buildings include servant quarters, a stable, a boathouse, and a dedicated game-hanging shed. It was, after all, a hunting retreat.

Lord Salvesen and his family cherished the Åseral wilderness, using Lordehytta as a retreat until World War II. After the lords’ death in 1942, the property was sold and has remained in private ownership ever since. Though it is not open to the public, the lodge remains a remarkable sight, and is a popular destination for hikers. And what a hike, we might add.
Getting to Lordehytta, Not a Walk in the Park
We are talking a real Sunday walk, Norway style – with waterproof boots, some packed food and water, and perhaps a map and a compass. At least if you are walking here for the first time. The trail is unmarked, so stay safe. (You can get a brochure at Minne Kultursenter or the municipal service office in Kyrkjebygda.)

Located roughly 11 kilometers from Røysland in Åseral, it takes about three hours of hiking each way to reach. Despite its inaccessibility, Lordehytta attracts visitors drawn to its history and architectural grandeur. Or, in other words – it is mighty Insta-friendly. Standing in the remote wilderness by lake Vivatn, the lodge looks a bit magical, to be honest. It is after all from an when lords and ladies built gorgeous hunting retreats in the middle of mountains.

The trip to Lordehytta is well worth the effort. With the breathtaking view of the Åseral highlands, the hike is great even without Lordehytta. But it for sure is a nice bonus to find this treasure in the mountains of Åseral.
Sources: