Hestenesøyra: Brass history, trade and the oak tree at Eikenes

If you are looking for a hotel in Hestenesøyra, you can get to know the place through its themes: the former brass production at Karnils, trade and transport at the quay, the oak tree at Eikenes or the hike to Eikenesstøylen. The themes span different periods, from preserved historic buildings to a described hiking route.

Brass production and trade history

Kornelius Eikenes moved his brass foundry from Kleppenes to “Karnils” in Hestenesøyra and continued production there. Some of the production equipment has been preserved in the building where the brass was made. However, visits are not currently possible.

The history of trade can also be read in the quay. In 1880, Gloppens Spare- og Forbrugsforening took over the later Lothe property in Hestenesøyra and began trading there. The buildings at the quay bear witness to trade and transport over many generations. The Lothe shop was located in one of two large boathouses on J. H. Lothe’s property. The exterior of the boathouses has changed very little since they were built in the late 19th century. The shop’s furnishings and inventory have been preserved from the time when Lothe finally closed in 1985. The imposing residence between the two boathouses was built around 1912.

The warehouse at the old steamboat quay was part of the former goods-handling system. It still stands today and was used for goods arriving on, or due to be shipped on, the Fylkesbåtene. An old section of road dating from around 1890 can be seen in Hestenesøyra in Hyefjorden.

The oak tree at Eikenes and the hike

The oak tree at Eikenes stands at Gardneset, where Hyefjord meets the main Nordfjord. Its crown circumference is about 60 metres, and its trunk circumference about 6 metres. Experts once estimated its age at 500 to 600 years; more recent information could indicate that the tree is even older. Its age is therefore an estimate, not a definitive number of years.

A hiking route leads to Eikenesstøylen, either via a forestry road or along a well-marked trail. Numerous signs along the trail indicate local place names. The hike starts on Rv 615 at Eikenes in Hestenesøyra. Parking is free; when there are many vehicles, additional parking may be available down at Øyra or by the school building. Check the latest information about the starting point and parking before setting out.

Changing transport routes

Boat services are part of the area’s transport history: as late as the mid-1960s, the Fylkesbåtene regularly called at Hestenesøyra on the Bergen routes. On Sunday mornings, connecting local boats ran to Hyen and “Innfjorden”. The boat Nesjar was also a familiar presence in the middle and inner parts of Nordfjord for around 50 years, until it was sold around 1970. It was owned by a group of co-owners in Hestenesøyra.

The development of the road network is another chapter in this history. The Sande–Hestenesøyra section was the first stage of a road between Hyen and Sandane that was open to traffic without a ferry crossing. In 1971, it became possible to reach Hestenesøyra by car. By road, Hestenesøyra is 6.5 kilometres from Kleppenes and 14 kilometres from Å. The historic boat services and the later stages of road construction represent different periods in transport history; for planning your stay, current information about access and parking is what matters.

Discover more destinations

Byrkjelo, Sandane, Hyen, Vereide, Gloppen, Breim

To the main travel overview: Gloppen.