Klakegg: Hiking and School History

Klakegg offers two different points of interest for a stay: the trail to Klakeggstøylen above the village and the history of the former schoolhouse. The trail focuses on grazing land and views; the school’s history spans the earliest references to teaching through to the building’s use in the 20th century. These two themes offer different perspectives on Klakegg: a hike with specific trail and viewpoint highlights, and a local history traced over time.

Trail and Views at Klakeggstøylen

The starting point for the hike is at Klakegg on Jølstravegen (E39): turn off the road and park at the junction toward Stardalen. Check road and parking conditions locally. A scheduled bus from Skei toward Nordfjord stops at the Klakegg stop; if travelling by bus, check the current timetable with the operator. This identifies both a specific road turnoff with parking and a bus connection with a stop.

The trail to the former dairy farm or mountain pasture area at Klakeggstøylen passes through open grazing land. The former dairy farm or mountain pasture area refers to the destination, while the open grazing land describes the character of the route there. The trail passes east of Ormehaugane and Litledalen. Later in the climb, Jølstravatnet comes into view. A shelter has been built at Klakeggstøylen above Klakegg; from there, the view extends toward Stardalen and Skei. The lake and the views from the shelter are therefore tied to different locations: the lake becomes visible along the way, while the two named directions can be seen from the shelter.

An older trail leads from the shelter to the summit of Klakeggfjellet. For planning the hike, there are two sections to distinguish: the climb to Klakeggstøylen and the older trail from the shelter to the summit. The shelter is the reference point where the ascent to the Støylen ends and the older trail to the summit begins.

School History in Klakegg

The former schoolhouse in Klakegg dates from 1881 and remained in use until 1960. The earliest surviving references to teaching in Klakegg date from 1749. These dates mark different milestones: 1749 is the earliest known reference to teaching, 1881 is the year the schoolhouse was built, and 1960 marks the end of its use. The schoolhouse may have been the first permanently built schoolhouse in the former municipality of Jølster. There are 132 years between the earliest reference to teaching and the year the schoolhouse was built.

The dates relate to different things: 1749 refers to evidence of teaching in Klakegg, while 1881 is the date of the schoolhouse. The building dated 1881 should therefore not be confused with the early reference to teaching. The possibility that it was the first permanently built schoolhouse also remains just that—a possibility; the claim refers to the former municipality of Jølster. The travel themes offer a clear choice: the hike is defined by its route, grazing land, and viewpoints, while the local history is traced through the years 1749, 1881, and 1960. This can help you decide whether to plan your visit around a hike or an interest in history.

Discover more destinations: Skei I Jølster, Vassenden.

View the broader travel overview: Jølster.