Matre: Traces of the Ice Age, Cultural Landscape and Mountain Lake

Matre brings together a vivid history of the landscape, traces of everyday life and places of remembrance. The Matre rundt circular trail explores geology and the history of the melting ice; a museum, bathing spots and excursions into Matredalen add further highlights. When choosing your destination, consider whether you are particularly interested in exploring the cultural landscape, the history of the resistance movement, or drives and walks in the surrounding area.

Landscape and local history on Matre rundt

The Matre rundt circular trail focuses on geological formations and the history of the melting ice. These include terraces, moraines and river plains. These varied landforms give the trail a clear natural-history focus. At the same time, it passes through a cultural landscape of hillside embankments, stone walls, pastureland and grazing livestock. The same circular route thus takes in both geological development and a landscape shaped by pastureland and walls.

At the old quay, the trail passes the former Matre Hotel, which dates from around 1914. The hotel is a specific historical landmark along the route. If you are interested in local history, you can connect this stop in your mind with a visit to the Bjørn West Museum: both relate to different chapters of Matre’s past.

Resistance history and cultural heritage

The Bjørn West Museum in Matre presents the history of the Bjørn West resistance group. It established itself in the Masfjell mountains during the final part of the Second World War. Texts, films and authentic interviews offer insight into life under the difficult conditions of war, alongside weapons and personal belongings. The different media and objects provide varied ways into the subject: visitors encounter both personal memories and material evidence.

Matre’s cultural heritage also includes Hummelfossen, nearby. It has been used to generate energy since the Second World War. This connection to energy production adds another facet of local history to the themes of the museum and the old quay.

Trails, water and drives through the valley

If you are planning a walking trip, the starting point for the Stegane ved Hummelvatnet trail is about 3 km from Matre, in the direction of Bjordal. Park by an older power station; the marked trailhead is behind its building. At the upper end of the trail, there are views of impressive glacial potholes. You can also take a refreshing swim in the mountain lake Hummelvatnet. The views and the water offer different highlights for the outing.

The Våganeset bathing spot near Matre also offers a water-based outing of its own: it has a sandy bottom, as well as a shelter and a barbecue. Parking is nearby. If you are weighing up a trip to the mountain lake against a stay at the bathing spot, these destinations offer two different water experiences.

For a drive through the landscape, County Road 381 runs from Matre through Matredalen to Stordalen, between the fjord and the mountains. In Matredalen, the road follows the river up steep hairpin bends to Helveteshjelet, where a waterfall rushes into the gorge. Another option is the Fjorden utenfor allfarvei circular drive: it goes to Stordalen and continues along County Road 5442 towards Bjordal on the Sognefjord. When looking for a holiday rental, you can then consider whether the attractions in Matre itself or drives and excursions in the surrounding area should shape your stay.

More destinations: Haugsvær, Hosteland, Masfjordnes.

Back to the main travel overview: Masfjorden.