Discover Dale i Sunnfjord

Dale i Sunnfjord lies on the south shore of the Dalsfjord. Dale Church, the history of barrel-making and institutions associated with Jakob Sande give the village specific cultural and historical points of interest; nearby are the Laukelandsfossen waterfall and the Vidsyn day cabin.

Dale on the Dalsfjord

National Road 57 runs through Dale and connects the village with Ytre Sogn and inner Sunnfjord. The sculpture Vesle Daniel stands in the park in the centre. It was erected in memory of the poet Jakob Sande and gives his memory a prominent place in the village landscape.

Church and industrial history

Written sources mention Dale Church as early as around 1350. The spacious wooden church, built in the long church style, dates from 1864 and has room for about 400 people. This early written mention therefore predates the construction of the present church building by a considerable margin. Dale Church is listed in the register of churches eligible to apply to the Norwegian Church Preservation Fund.

Barrel-making is also part of Dale’s history. Dale Tønnefabrikk A/S began operating in the village in 1915; barrel production later ended. In the first half of the 20th century, barrel-making developed into an entire industry in the inner parts of the Dalsfjord, with Dale as its centre. The industrial history therefore extends beyond the start of a single business and encompasses a regional development.

Art and Jakob Sande

The Nordic Artists’ Centre Dale (NKD) is a non-profit artist-in-residence centre in Dale. It is funded by the Norwegian Ministry of Culture and Equality and run by an independent foundation. Through open studios, workshops and seminars, NKD also engages the public. Public events may vary according to the season and schedule. If you are planning a visit or a specific event, check the current programme.

Episenter Fjaler is run by the Jakob Sande Centre for Storytelling Arts. At Klokkargarden, Episenter manages Jakob Sande’s legacy. This gives Dale a range of cultural experiences: NKD combines its work as an artist-in-residence centre with public events, while Episenter cares for the poet’s legacy.

Waterfall, hike and fjord cruise

The landscape around Dale offers opportunities for walking and hiking. Laukelandsfossen lies nearby in the Dalsfjord. The waterfall is 135 metres high and up to 100 metres wide. It can be reached by boat or kayak; swimming is possible in a pool below the waterfall. Assess water and swimming conditions for yourself on site.

Another hiking option is the Vidsyn day cabin on Bygdeheia in Ytre Fjaler, in the Dale area. From there, the view stretches in every direction and across the sea to Alden. The cabin can be reached from either side along a route of about two kilometres; the ascent takes 30 to 60 minutes, depending on your pace. Trail conditions and walking times may change, so check them before setting out.

The boat trip from Dale to Alden can also be factored into your schedule: it takes about an hour. Timetables and availability may change; check the latest information before your trip.

An event in Fjaler

Theatre festival is held every September in the Fjaler destination. Specific programme dates vary. If you want to plan your trip around it, check the dates for the relevant programme.

Discover more destinations: Guddal, Hellevik, Espedal, Fjaler, Flekke, Hellevik I Fjaler, Grytøyra.

Go to the main travel overview: Fjaler.