Baggehola

This trail is set in lovely natural surroundings and passes many interesting attractions. The 2.5-km round trip passes through gentle woodland with a moderate uphill climb. The route includes many of the cultural-historical attractions in Ulvedal.

The attractions are: Kvernhusdalen, Vetestova, Sagedammen, Tjærehjellen and the cotter’s farm Rabben. You can read more about each attraction’s history and what farming life was like here in days of yore, on their respective webpages.

Vetestova cabin
Vetestova is a 1,000-year-old watch cabin that was part of the old warning beacon system. It is the only one of its kind still on its original site. Local farmers held watch over the beacon here for centuries. King Håkon the Good (945-961) has been credited with establishing the system of warning beacons throughout Norway, although some beacons had been built before his time.

Kvernhusdalen
Seven recently restored mills set beside the Ulva River tell the story of grain production in days of yore.

Sagedammen
This special sawmill environment consists of a water reservoir (restored 1997–1998), head saw (restored 1997–1999), overshot waterwheel, Ulva Sag og Høvleri, a smokehouse with a baking oven and a forge (completed in spring 2007). The cultural park around Sagedammen pond in Ulvedal is a popular place for both private and larger events. Contact Nordfjord Fritidssenter to book Sagedammen cultural park for events.

The cotter’s farm Rabben
In olden times, the cotter or tenant farming system was often the only way people could make a living. Rabben is an example of a cotter’s farm dating from the early 19th century.

Tjærehellen
Tar kilns were built in order to obtain pitch for waterproofing timber, harnesses etc. The tar kiln at Ulvedal has recently been restored.

Baggehola
Helje Bagge was a medieval outlaw who hid in Baggehola cave in order to survive. The story goes that during a court sitting at Heggdal in Innvik in the early 16th century, a bailiff was crushed to death between the wall of the courthouse and a big stone slab that was being used as a table for the court. His killer was Helje Bagge. He escaped and hid in a cave on Ulvedalsfjellet mountain, where he lived for three years. His wife rowed across the fjord in secret with food that she hid in an agreed place. He was promised release from his status as outlaw if he was willing to go to Selje and kill a criminal who was in hiding at Selja Monastery. Helje went to Selje with his son and killed the man, and thus became a free man. Up until the middle of the 20th century, the mountain cave referred to in this centuries-old story had never been found. Since its discovery, steps and paths have been built that make it possible to see the cave and the wild mountain terrain around it.