Uværshula - Vesterålen

Uværshula means something like “storm cave”, and that sums it up well. It’s a tiny stone hut on the west side of Hadseløya, squeezed in between two big rocks just above the shore, with a grass roof and windows looking straight out at the open sea. Inside there are wooden benches, a small stove and a guest book.

Local knowledge: the hut was built by Inge Eberg Johansen, a local artist and writer who loved rough weather. He walked the coast for a long time before he found this spot between the rocks, and finished the hut in 1999 – somewhere he could sit warm and dry, write, and watch the waves come in during a storm. He used stones from the beach, driftwood and whatever else the shore gave him. His daughter Siv Johansen has said the old door and windows reminded him of the front of his father’s fishing boat, Soltind. Inge never meant it to be a tourist spot, but word got around, and now people come from all over Norway and abroad. Some even spend the night – one couple apparently had to turn their reindeer skin around in the middle of the night because they kept sliding down the sloping stone floor.

Visiting: Uværshula is near Teigan, on road Fv881 between Stokmarknes and Melbu. Look out for a small sign by the road where you can park the camper, then follow the narrow path down towards the sea. Don’t worry if you can’t see the hut at first – it’s well hidden between the rocks. You’re welcome to go in, light the stove and write in the guest book. Just take your rubbish with you and leave the place the way you found it. The hut sits right by the water, so stay away when there are big waves or a storm surge – the view from up by the road is good too. Nearby in our guide: Storravika near Melbu, with views towards Lofoten.