Breimsvatnet is the long lake that E39 runs alongside between Byrkjelo and Sandane. It stretches almost 12 kilometres through the valley that locals call Breim, sits at 63 metres above sea level, and drains westwards to the fjord at Sandane.
The area has been farmed for centuries. The old villages of Re, Egge, Kandal, and Byrkjelo line the shore. In 1786 the Danish-Norwegian king decided to reroute the main postal road between Bergen and Trondheim. Until then, all mail between the two biggest cities had gone via Oslo. The new route ran from Bergen, across three fjords by boat, through Førde, over Jølstravatnet, along this lake, then by boat across Nordfjord and on towards Trondheim. For something like a century, anything sent between the two cities passed this shore.
Today the lake is known for trout fishing. In cold winters it freezes across, thick enough for ice fishing and skating. On a still morning the reflection of the mountains makes it worth slowing down for.
The area has been farmed for centuries. The old villages of Re, Egge, Kandal, and Byrkjelo line the shore. In 1786 the Danish-Norwegian king decided to reroute the main postal road between Bergen and Trondheim. Until then, all mail between the two biggest cities had gone via Oslo. The new route ran from Bergen, across three fjords by boat, through Førde, over Jølstravatnet, along this lake, then by boat across Nordfjord and on towards Trondheim. For something like a century, anything sent between the two cities passed this shore.
Today the lake is known for trout fishing. In cold winters it freezes across, thick enough for ice fishing and skating. On a still morning the reflection of the mountains makes it worth slowing down for.