Discover Helleland: Stone Bridge and History

In Helleland, you can encounter different layers of history: the stone Svalestad bru, two Iron Age burial mounds and historic buildings tell stories of construction, transport and earlier farming. The bridge is a stop for families with children, hikers and curious travellers; you can visit it on its own or as part of a short loop. The other historical sites also give your trip a tangible historical focus.

Svalestad bru: bridge construction and transport routes

Svalestad bru is located in the old centre of Helleland, on the E39. It was built in 1842 in connection with Den vestlandske hovedvei and was part of the main road network until 1960. These dates tell the story of its former role in transport, while its design draws attention to the structure itself: the stone bridge has three arches, is 34.1 metres long and 5.2 metres wide. If you are interested in historic transport routes, you can explore both a tangible structure and its history here. You can visit the bridge as a destination in its own right or include it in a short loop.

Burial mounds, dairy and vicarage

Two Iron Age burial mounds stand on a hill above Helleland station. They represent a much earlier historical period than the bridge and the buildings from the 19th and early 20th centuries. East of Svalestad bru is the old dairy building, built in 1911. It used to receive milk and butter from farmers in Helleland, Sokndal and Sirdal. Its recorded function shows that the history of the area is also connected with the processing and collection of agricultural produce. Helleland vicarage dates from 1850. Together, these places offer a range of historical points of interest, although they do not all represent the same period or purpose.

Hiking and swimming destinations in the wider Eigersund area

The wider Eigersund area also offers a range of options for planning your trip. Mysinghålå has a direct connection to Helleland: it is located on Mysingheia near Helleland, about 20 kilometres from the centre of Egersund, and has a 10-kilometre marked hiking trail. It is also associated with the history of the resistance. For more than a year, Mysinghålå served at times as a hideout for the resistance group Vestige IV of Kompani Linge, the “Aakre-gjengen”.

For hiking and cycling, Den Gamle Jærbanen runs from Hellvik to Egersund, largely following the route of the old Jærbanen railway. Varberg offers a different kind of landscape experience: there are short nature trails and a path to the summit, with views of the town, the harbour entrance and the district. At its foot are Bronze Age rock carvings or runes, dating from around 1000 to 500 BC. These regional destinations differ from Helleland’s local bridge and village history and offer their own themes for your plans.

The swimming spots in the wider Eigersund area also offer different experiences. Skadbergsanden is the municipality’s largest swimming area, with more than 500 metres of shallow sandy beach and low sand dunes. Gådå, by contrast, is a shallow freshwater swimming area with small beaches and a spot for jumping and diving. When choosing a holiday rental, you can first consider whether Helleland’s historical sites or the hiking, cultural and swimming destinations across the wider Eigersund area should shape your stay.

Discover more destinations: Hellvik, Eigersund.

Return to the main travel guide: Eigersund.