Espedal and its historic routes

Espedal can be discovered through the history of its routes: when a new road alignment between Skor and Rennestraum was built between 1882 and 1885, the route through Espedal was reclassified as a bridle path. This change tells the story of the development of transport routes and gives the place a special historical significance.

Historic routes around Espedal

The Den trondhjemske postvei also shapes the history of the wider region. A 45-kilometre section runs between Leirvik and Trossebryggja in Dale. The Dale–Leirvik section was built from 1801 to 1806 for weekly postal traffic; a total of 19 stone bridges were built for this connection. Further on through Fjaler and Hyllestad to Langeland, a section of the postal road formed part of the Den trondhjemske postvei from 1785 to 1868.

From the mid-1860s, a telegraph line ran along the road through Fjaler and Hyllestad. Foundations of the telegraph poles still remain. The postal road through these two places was restored in the 1970s and 1980s and is signposted. One section can be ridden by mountain bike. Thus, transport, communications and cycling history meet on the same historic route.

Cycle races and routes as a reason to travel

The annual Postvegrittet cycle race uses a section of the postal road and runs from Dale to Hovland and back. It is also a qualifying race for Birken. If you would like to include the race in your travel plans, check the date for the relevant year. The Posrvegmarsj runs from Rennestraum to Hovland; the sports club Svint organises it in early September.

These events differ in character: Postvegrittet focuses on the cycling route, while Posrvegmarsj follows its own route between Rennestraum and Hovland. The historic route landscape may therefore appeal both to travellers interested in its past and to those looking for a specific activity.

Fjaler as a wider travel setting

The wider Fjaler travel destination stretches from the west coast, with the islands of Lutelandet and Lammetun, to the mountain areas on the border with Sunnfjord municipality. Fjaler is also home to the Vidsyn day-hiking cabin on Bygdeheia in Ytre Fjaler. From there, the view extends in all directions and across the sea to Alden. Vidsyn can be reached from Furset or Skor; parking is available at both starting points. As parking conditions can change seasonally, check them before setting off.

For hikes in Fjaler, TiTur Dalsfjorden provides a regional framework: the collaboration includes, among others, Fjaler municipality and the Fjaler hiking association. Most routes are described on UT.no and have downloadable GPS tracks, but not all destinations have marked or signposted trails. Therefore, check the information for the specific route before setting out. Another resource is the Fjaler municipality project, which marked and cleared twenty hiking trails around 2010; all are listed on UT.no.

Culture and landscape in Fjaler

In Dale is Klokkargarden, the childhood home of poet Jakob Sande and the main base of the Jakob Sande Centre for Storytelling. Bestefarstaua in the centre houses a museum collection and an exhibition; Løa is used as a cultural venue for events, meetings and rentals. The theatre festival in Fjaler also takes place every September, although the specific programme dates vary.

Fjaler’s landscape also offers a range of themes for excursions: Laukelandsfossen is near Dale and is 135 metres high and up to 100 metres wide. Between Dale and Leirvik, the postal road passes through a varied cultural landscape with numerous cultural heritage sites. These regional destinations complement Espedal’s route history, although not all the highlights are in the same place.

Choosing the right holiday apartment for your trip

Before searching, consider what you want your trip to focus on: Espedal’s history of routes, a scenic hike to Vidsyn, or cultural offerings in Dale. Then compare the specific location of a holiday apartment with the destinations that matter to you. This way, your choice of accommodation reflects your travel plans rather than just a place name.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Guddal, Hellevik, Grytøyra, Flekke, Dale i Sunnfjord, Hellevik I Fjaler, Fjaler.

Back to the main travel overview: Fjaler.