Varhaug: Church Sites, Walking Trail and Farm Dairy

Varhaug offers many different reasons to visit: medieval church sites and burial mounds, a waymarked walking trail along the Brattlandsåna, and a glimpse into cheese-making on a farm. If you’re looking for a place for a family holiday where you can explore nature, history and local food, these experiences may influence your choice. There is a trail suitable for wheelchair users and pushchairs, as well as historic sites, each with its own story.

Church Sites and Traces of the Past

Varhaug gamle kyrkjestad is a medieval church site on the Varhaug farm in the municipality of Hå. The Sør-Varhaug farm, with a large, well-maintained Jær house, is also part of this area. Another church is Varhaug kyrkje, built in 1904 in Odland. The two names therefore refer to different places and historical contexts.

Varhaug gamle kyrkjegard also commemorates a maritime disaster: a monument remembers the sinking of the Ingermanland in 1842 and the sailors buried there. Several prehistoric burial mounds near the old church site are largely visible in the landscape. Resen, a long barrow in the area, is considered the largest burial mound there and measures 45 × 12 metres. Those interested in history will find traces of different periods here: from the prehistoric mounds and the medieval church site to the monument to the sailors.

The Kongevegen is also part of the area's history. This historic road near Varhaug gamle kyrkjestad was built by royal command in 1663; Varhaug gamle kyrkjegard is a worthwhile stop along the route. This means you can view the church site not only as a historic destination in its own right, but also in the context of the old road. Varhaug gamle kyrkjegard is listed as a car park in the Kongevegen park information.

Walk Along the Brattlandsåna

For some outdoor exercise, try the trail along the Brattlandsåna near Varhaug. It is an easy walking route with a gravel surface, suitable for wheelchair users and pushchairs. Alongside the historic sites, it offers a different way to enjoy the outdoors: you can plan your trip around a walk rather than spending the whole day visiting churches and burial mounds.

The trail is marked in both directions with red T-markers and is one of the Norwegian Trekking Association’s local walks. There is also a playground and a disc golf course along the route. Families can therefore cater to different interests during their walk: some may want to get active, while others take a break to play or try disc golf. The markers help you find your way, while the gravel surface and suitability for pushchairs and wheelchair users are practical features to consider when planning your outing.

Cheese and a Farm Shop at Ystepikene

Another place to discover is Ystepikene, where visitors are welcomed at the farm. In the farm shop, you can find home-produced cheese, meat, eggs and potatoes, as well as products from other suppliers. A window gives guests a glimpse of the cheese-making process. This also makes the visit interesting for families who want not only to buy local food, but also to see part of how it is made.

A terrace in front of the shop and dairy invites you to linger and enjoy views of the Jærhavet and the open sky. The farm shop thus adds a culinary experience to the historic sites and walking trail. A holiday rental in Varhaug is a good option to search for if you’d like to include these local destinations in your trip.

Discover More Places

If you’d like to extend your search to other places: Nærbø, Sirevåg, Vigrestad, Brusand.

For the broader travel overview: Hå.