Bjordal

Bjordal gives you two different starting points for planning your trip: the history of Bjordal Church and hikes starting in Bjordal. When choosing a hike, the distance is not the only factor to consider; the route type (out-and-back or one-way), stated duration, and elevation gain also matter.

Church, landscape, and fjord history

Bjordal Church is a wooden long church in Bjordal. It was consecrated on November 1, 1906, and stands on a rise overlooking the fjord and valley. Its consecration spared the people of Bjordal the arduous church journey across the Sognefjord to Kyrkjebø. The building’s location is thus connected to a specific local story: the consecration changed the journey people had to make to attend church.

At Osland, Jektenaust and Saltebua point to different chapters in the history of the fjord. Jektenaust is an important testament to the time when the fjord was the main transport route, and thus represents transport history. Saltebua is an important local source of knowledge about the history of fjord fishing before the mid-20th century. The fjord is the common historical link, but the two sites tell different stories: transport and fishing.

Hikes with different route details

The hike from Bjordal to Systølen is classified as a moderate, 7.0-kilometer out-and-back route. The stated duration is four hours, and the total elevation gain is 397 meters. The marked trail follows the lake to Systølen. The 7.0 kilometers therefore cover the round trip, not just a one-way journey.

The moderate Bjordal–Longåsdalen–Vikebygd hike via Ulserhaug is planned differently: it is a 12.7-kilometer one-way hike, takes three hours and 30 minutes according to the stated duration, and has an elevation gain of 652 meters. The stated season runs from April to October. The trail starts at a parking area in Bjordal by Bjordalstunet; a parking fee applies there. For the first 3.5 kilometers, the route follows a forest or tractor road to Longåsdalen. It then follows Longåsdalsvatnet through flat terrain.

The two hikes therefore cannot be compared on distance alone: the shorter distance is given as an out-and-back route, while the longer one is a one-way hike. For your choice, the combination of route type, time, and elevation gain is more informative than the distance alone. The April-to-October season applies to the route via Ulserhaug; seasonal and trail conditions may change. Check the latest trail and parking information before setting out.

A municipal hiking list from 2014 gives parking options at Bjordal Church for the hike to Varden. Check trail conditions locally.

Additional cultural context in the wider destination of Høyanger

Beyond Bjordal’s history, the wider destination of Høyanger offers other distinct cultural themes. The Høyanger Industrial Town Museum is located in Byporten in the center of Høyanger. The building was completed in 1934, is designated a cultural heritage site, and now houses the museum. The Gunnar S. Gallery is also located in Byporten. It houses around 30 works dating from circa 1950 to circa 1980, including drawings, watercolors, paintings, and silkscreens.

The Vasskraft Museum offers another perspective on Høyanger’s industrial history. It was established in 1986 in the former Power Station 1. At the center of the exhibition is one of the original units, with its turbine and generator. The themes in the wider destination are therefore distinct: Byporten connects the history of the building with the Industrial Town Museum, the Gunnar S. Gallery displays works of visual art, and the Vasskraft Museum centers on an original unit.

Discover more destinations: Høyanger, Lavik, Vadheim, Kyrkjebø

Go to the wider travel overview: Høyanger.