Car park
Hike description
The tour starts at Bråta in Ål town centre, at the car park by the sports facility. From there, follow the Elvelangs footpath eastwards past Ål camping and through the underpass under national road 7. Continue up to Sundrevegen and walk along the footpath eastwards until you reach the bus stop at Gullhagen. Here you will find a large information board that marks the start of the trail up to the fish farm.
Follow the path into the forest. After approx. 130 metres, you'll come to a small point with a new information board, visible trapping pits, a boga stand and a mailbox with a guest book. This is one of the local hiking destinations in the Ål52 programme «10 hiking favourites».
You can return the same way, or follow the path further up to Baklivegen and walk back down to Sundrevegen as a short loop.
Historical background
The hunting pit at Gullhagen is part of an old hunting centre used for hunting big game, particularly reindeer and moose. These pits are scattered throughout Hallingdal and were in use from the Iron Age into the Middle Ages. The pits were dug into the ground and often equipped with a box structure at the bottom, which made it impossible for the animal to get up again after falling.
The bow stand (bogastellen) next to it is a semi-circular stone wall, with openings in the wall so that the hunter could lie in hiding and look out towards the animals being led past. These shooting positions were used for bow and arrow hunting and were strategically placed near the trapping pits - in this case about 40 metres away.
This facility is one of several accessible cultural heritage sites in the municipality that show how people in the past used nature to survive and obtain food.F
Tips
Take the time to read the information boards at both the start and the facility itself. This is a great tour to take with children, school groups or visitors who are curious about local history. The tour can easily be combined with a café visit at Café Time or other urban activities in Ål town centre.
Map
- Ut.no
- Cycling and hiking map Hemsedal, Gol and Ål 1:60 000.