Bryggja: Coast, Trails and Cultural History

Bryggja combines a long coastline with historic trails and local cultural history. When deciding what to focus on, it is worth distinguishing between the different themes: alongside the water, trails, buildings and biographies shape the character of the place. From Bryggja, you can see Hornelen, Europe’s highest sea cliff. The themes range from specific places nearby to activities along the coast and historical connections in Bryggja. If you are looking for a hotel for your stay, you can first consider whether water, landscape or history is your main priority.

Coast and Activities on the Water

Bryggja’s long coastline offers opportunities for boat trips, fishing and swimming. There are also opportunities for kayaking in the Bryggja archipelago. When narrowing down your choices, you can distinguish between these water activities by where they take place: boat trips, fishing and swimming along the coast, and kayaking in the archipelago.

The Søholmen recreation area near Totland is close to the destination, near Bryggja. It has a pier for small boats and a bathing jetty connected to the pier. Check the current condition of the facilities on site before visiting.

Historic Trails

The historic Gamlevegen between Berstad and Rimstad is about 11 kilometres long and crosses Berstadeidet on its way to Bryggja. Bryggja’s cultural history also includes the old postal road between Rimstad and Berstad. In the past, the old trail over Berstadeidet was probably one of the pilgrimage routes to the holy site on Selja. The specific trail length and its possible historical significance therefore go hand in hand, though the interpretation as a pilgrimage route is not certain.

Buildings and Cultural History

Totland Church is located near the destination, in Totland near Bryggja. It was formerly called Totland Chapel, was completed in 1912 and has 250 seats. Maurstad Gamle Bru is a historic cultural monument owned by the village community of Bryggja. The bridge was built sometime between about 1867 and 1870.

The restored old peat hut Tårvhuse is in Kvievassdalen, near Bryggja’s school. Local cultural history encompasses more than buildings: the artist Erling Solheim (1911–1973), who was born in Bryggja, created hundreds of drawings depicting villages in Nordfjord. The church, bridge, hut and drawings offer different points of interest if you are interested in the destination’s cultural heritage.

Bryggja as a Historic Harbour

During the age of sailing ships, Bryggja was a frequently used harbour that offered shelter from bad weather. It also served as a safe waiting place for favourable winds. Compared with today’s coastal activities, this harbour role shows a different use of the water: as a sheltered place for maritime traffic and for waiting for suitable wind conditions. Bryggja’s waterfront themes are therefore connected to a maritime past, distinct from the activities on offer today.

Discover more destinations: Måloy, Raudeberg, Vågsvåg, Deknepollen.

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