Fjaler is a coastal municipality, beautifully situated on the south bank of the Dalsfjord in the southwestern area of Sogn og Fjordane, Norway. Fjaler municipality has approximately 2.950 inhabitants and covers a area of 416,7 km2. It is located in the traditional district of Sunnfjord. The administrative centre is the village of Dale. Other places in Fjaler include Flekke and Espedal. The biggest river in the municipality is the Guddal river. Fjaler was the birthplace of famous Norwegian poet Jakob Sande.
The Red Cross Nordic United World College at Haugland, one of the twelve United World Colleges of the world is also located here, as well as the Nordic Art Centre at Dalsåsen.
DALE
Dale is the administrative centre of the municipality. The village is located on the southern shore of the Dalsfjorden in the northern part of Fjaler, about 6.5 kilometres northeast of the village of Flekke. The valley is stretching southwards through a beautiful agricultural area up towards Vassdalen and the mountainous area towards the Guddal to the south and Gaular to the east. In the southwest you find Jarstadheia and in the east Jøtelshaugen (Fjøla / the board which probably has given the municipality its name). This area used to belong to Fjaler municipality up to 1990 and is frequently used as touring ground for the locals. There is a car ferry from Dale to Eikenes, and buses depart to Førde, Rysjedalsvika, Hyllestad, and the west of Fjaler. Førde Airport, Bringeland is 28 kilometres to the east, with flights to Oslo and Bergen.
KLOKKARGARDEN
The poet Jakob Sande (1906-67) was born and raised at Klokkargarden at Dale. His poems vary from a burlesque and a sometimes grotesque humor as in “Kallen og katten” and “Likfunn” to high emotionality as in “Fløytelåt” and “Vesle Daniel”. His beautiful song Det lyser i stille grender is included in most Norwegian books of hymns and is a very popular Christmas song. Many of Jakob Sande´s poems have been set to music. Two of the most popular groups who specialise in Jakob Sande lyrics are “Aftenlandet” and “Jubelhornet”.
DALSFJORDEN
Dalsfjorden is located between the municipalities of Askvoll, Fjaler, and Gaular. The fjord is about 40 kilometres long and it is generally about 0.5 to 1 kilometre wide. There are two ferry links operated by Fjord1 that cross the fjord. The first one travels the Askvoll-Gjervik-Fure route on the western end of the fjord. The second one travels from Dale to Eikenes.
LAUKLANDSFOSSEN WATERFALL
Laukelandsfossen is a waterfall in Dalsfjorden. The waterfall is impressive with a 135 meter drop. Depending on the weather conditions the waterfall can be up to a 100 meters wide. There are several viewpoints to Laukelandsfossen by Dalsfjorden. You can see the waterfall from the bridge Dalsfjordbrua. There is a parking lot on the north side of the bridge where you can enjoy the view of the waterfall. From here you can do several hikes in the area Fossedalen. The hiking trails runs along the fjord with a great view to the waterfall a long the way.
FLEKKE
Flekke is situated at the head of the Flekkefjord by RV 57 – 8 km from the municipality centre. The scenery is dominated by agriculture, the idyllic Flekkefjord – a fjord leading southeast 5 km from the Dalsfjord – the main valley – which is heading south to Guddal and Hyllestad – and wood-clad hillsides. There are three different walking areas: Flekkestølen and others to the southeast, Langelia (Jarstadheia) in the north and Håheia to the west.
STRAUMSNES
Straumsnes is situated in an open area by the Dalsfjord in the middle of the municipality – 22 km from the centre of the municipality. There is good acces from the sea. The scenery is hillocky with steep hillsides upwards to Arnsteinheia and Vardeheia. On the walk uphill there are many spectacular views to the west over the ocean, over the fjord and also to the east to the mountain wilds.
TYSSE
Tysse is set on the entrance of the Flekkefjord, at RV 609, 16 km from the municipality centre Dale. It is a quite small rural district with steep cultural scenery and steep hillsides rising up to Fredenborgåsen and Arnsteinheia. RV 609 heads south from Tysse through a narrow valley towards the Tyssedalsvatn.
HELLEVIK
Hellevik is set at RV 609 at the crossroads to Våge and can be reached from the west, south and east. The varied and idyllic coastal line of the area which faces the Dalsfjord holds many nice landing places. The scenery is undulating with wood-clad hills and occasional small farms. Here are also large areas of eclogith.
VÅGE/FURE
Våge, which is seet furthest west in Fjaler can be reached by small craft, ferry from Askvoll to Fure, or by car westwards from RV 609 AT Hellevik or Øren (in Hyllestad). As you go west you can see the exciting coastal line changing from the quiet and idyllic to the rough and open you can also find many good places for fishing here. Beyond the coastal line the scenery is varied and undulating and from the hills you will get a spectaculous view of the fjord and sea with the islands offshore to the west.
GUDDAL
Guddal is set furthest southwest in the municipality. The county road between RV 57 at Nautsund (20 km to the south of Dale) and E39 at Vadheim in Høyanger is passing through Guddal. From Flekke the Main valley is in the beginning stretching to the south about 10 km to Nautsund, where it turns east. From here on the Guddal valley is stretching more than 20 km to Heldalsheia and Steinset. The Guddal river is flowing through the whole valley. From the mouth in Flekke to the small centre in Engja there are, with a few exceptions, only lakes with runs inbetween. The Guddal valley is breathtakingly beautiful, the well kept farms – standing either on their own or in clusters – are all set close to the lakes or runs and surrounded by mountain peaks of up to 800 m. This makes the valley an Eldorado for people who enjoy outdoor life and perhaps also take an interest in angling.
THE TRONDHEIM POST-ROAD
The historic mail route from Bergen and Trondheim, The post-road goes through Fjaler, Hyllestad and Gulen districts. Built between 1801 and 1806, it passes over many beautiful stone bridges. An experience for the walker or off-road cyclist. On the postroad lies a beautiful cluster of five authentic, newly renovated grist mills.
LILLINGSTONHEIMEN
County Court Judge´s Residence from 1808. Impressive main building containing a remarkable library and many cultural treasures. Beautiful English Victorian garden. Today used for recreation, concerts, and official functions.
KORSSUND
Korssund is an old trading-post at the western edge of the municipality of Fjaler, andgot its name from a four metre high stone cross that was put there by King Olav the Holy in around 1030 during the Christianising of Norway. The cross is an “Olav’s Cross” and is one of the biggest in the country. Korssund is a naturally favourable harbour and is full of boats in the summer. Travelling through the narrow sounds is an idyllic boat trip. Nowadays there is a shop, kiosk, small boat harbour and camp site. There are marked footpaths, bicycle rental facilities, outdoor chess, bathing places, barbecue points and playgrounds. Korssund has always been and still is a place where the sea meets the land.
The North Sea Trail at Korsund. Marked trail that coincides with the road in some parts but mostly follows old tracks and footpaths northwards through the countryside towards Lammetun. The trail starts in Korssund harbour and continues for about 3 km towards Lammetunsundet. From here you can take a pre-booked boat through the narrow sounds on a half-hour trip back to the harbour. The boat must be booked in the shop before you start on the trail. You can also buy a detailed description of the trail at the shop.
Using the Lillingstonheim manor house dating from 1808 as a base, Rekrea will tailor-make group holidays and activities. Experienced group leaders cater for a wide range of activities including salmon fishing, sea fishing, kayaking, canoeing, mountain climbing, hiking, rowing and sailing, cookery courses etc.
Jensbua a rehabilitated wharfside whare-house which is now used as a center and workshop for the preservation of cultural heritage and tourism. Traditional rowboats for hire. Guided tours can be arranged.
You can make a range of walks in Dale. In the centre you can take a walk along the wharfs or do the «Culture drift in Dale» – see separate leaflet – or walk along one of the many other roads. Near the centre there is a nice and easily accessible touring ground which has a great variety in level of difficulty. Some of the footpaths are marked. There is a road up to Norddal, where there is a ski centre, and also to Steiestøl/Slettelandsstøl. Both places are frequently used as starting point for walks in the mountains. We particularly recommend the old road between Herstad and Boge. There are marked footpaths to Grøneholten, Jøtelshaugen, through the Langedal to Strand, Nistad and Sagevik and to Jarstadheia.
There are marked footpaths to Flekkestølen and Nipa, Langelia (Jarstadheia) and Håheia. There are also shorter and easier alternatives such as the Postal Road through Stavsdalen and the old road to Igelkjøn etc. We also recommend the unmarked walk starting from Haugland, passing through Hovlandsskaret ending up in Hegnes or Bortheim/Dale.
HUNTING
For an individual hunter or a hunting team, deer hunting can provide both a challenge and a close-to-nature experience. There are several licensed hunting areas for various types of hunt (still, stalking etc.). If you want to, you can join in the preparation of the meat or engage in other activities such as fishing, diving, bird hunting, mountain treks or the hunt for a perfect photograph.
CANOEING
Yndestad and Hovlandsdalsvatnet are large lakes with straits and natural canals – well worth experiencing. The lakes are in Guddal. The following facilities are available for hire: canoes, rowing boats (with or without an engine), overnight accommodation, camp site, fishing for char and trout.
SWIMMING
Indoor swimming at Hauglandsenteret.
FISHING
Fishing in the sea is free. In Storeelva – which flows into the fjord at Dale – you may angle for salmon up to Hålandsfossen. Storeelva is an outstanding salmon river. Further up the river and in the high mountains there are many superb lakes for fishing. Arrangements concerning fishing licences are being worked on.
You may angle for salmon and trout in the Guddal river and the mountain lakes when holding a fishing licence, this can be bought in the shop and at Loneland. Fishing in the fjord is free. The Flekke river is a part of the Guddal river. The impact area of the Guddal river covers half the square measure of the municipality, about 200 km2. There is salmon in the river up to Harefossen. Flekke and Guddal landowner association in cooperation with the local authorities, the regional commissioner and others, work organized cultivation of the river by thinning out the stocks of fish in the waters, liming, stocking the waters with fry, organizing for the fishermen etc.
Lakes and rivers throughout the area provide good chances of catching trout. In the salmon rivers you can catch larger fish as well. We therefore recommend that you ask your host, tourist office or local landowner before you go fishing. Angling is restricted in certain lakes and rivers. Fishing also requires payment of the national fishing fee. Forms available at the post offices.