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![Herdla, Askøy](https://www.grind.no/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/bilder/sted/1/kvh_272-1.jpg?itok=a3mGo7KI)
Herdla farm
Numerous finds show that the settlement at Herdla goes back to prehistoric times, and the large estate at Herdla has enjoyed a central place in the nation’s history since High Middle Ages. As Ask, Herdla was part of the country estate Harald Hårfagre took over as he took command of the west of Norway.
![Shelduck.](https://www.grind.no/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/bilder/sted/190/askoyyeah.jpg?itok=TnBLHIqS)
Herdleflaket
Spring, summer and autumn, there is bird life on Valen, and the tidal zone is especially attractive. Out on Herdlaflaket, you see ducks and other diving birds all year round, but most in winter.
![The noble estate at Hop; Thomas Erichsens Minde.](https://www.grind.no/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/bilder/sted/1/kvh_270-xx.jpg?itok=mnSkZzO9)
Hop- Thomas Erichsens Minde
From the 1500s Hop was noble estate for the law speaker in Bergen and Gulen judicial districts. Several of the law speakers were of noble descent, such as Hans Hansen Lillienskiold and Niels Knagenhielm. The beautiful main building, still standing, was erected by the Bergen merchant Thomas Erichsen in 1793-95. He also established a magnificent garden with an 800 metres long linden avenue reaching down to the stone boathouse at Hop harbour.
![The rectory at Finnes](https://www.grind.no/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/bilder/sted/190/kvh_203_finnas_1_150.jpg?itok=MjLf1y2s)
![The church at Moster, as drawn by Johan Meyer in 1897.](https://www.grind.no/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/bilder/sted/232/kvh_206-2.jpg?itok=SGdrZdqC)
Moster- The old church
Moster is mentioned as a church site already in the time of Olav Tryggvason. According to the sagas the king is supposed to have laid the foundations for the first church at Moster when he came there in 995. That building would have been a stave church - the church standing there today – a stone church with a nave and narrower, straight chancel – was probably founded around 1100. In 1874 a new church was built at Moster. Then the old church was bought by The Society for the Preservation of Norwegian Ancient Monuments, which is still the owner.
![Bergesvatnet Lake with Skogafjellet to the left.](https://www.grind.no/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/bilder/sted/232/bo_49.jpg?itok=kEQx0X4t)
Skogafjellet
You have to travel to Scotland in order to find pine forests similar to those at Bømlo. The nearness to the sea has contributed in different ways to shaping one of the westernmost pine forests in Norway.
![The eider population at Bømlo has increased sharply during the last decade.](https://www.grind.no/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/bilder/sted/232/fuuugler.jpg?itok=gor6FPw4)
![Brandvikneset](https://www.grind.no/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/bilder/sted/232/stord_18.jpg?itok=kdiECMrN)
![Hystadmarka, Stord](https://www.grind.no/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/bilder/sted/1/kvh_212-1_gravhaug212.jpg?itok=WN_nSl1Q)
Hystad- burial mounds
The biggest collection of prehistoric burial relics in Stord is to be found in Hystadmarka. There are still 16 burial mounds and two stone rings visible here; finds that span from the Bronze Age to the Viking Age in time.
![Spring in the black alder forest of Hystadsmarkjo.](https://www.grind.no/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/bilder/sted/232/stord_8.jpg?itok=uKjQ61DI)
Hystad- the black alder forest
One of the biggest black alder forests in the country is in Hystadmarkjo. Along the well prepared trail through the forest you can experience an exceptional nature with an unusual abundance of exuberant plant species. But what has laid the foundation for this richness?