On the east side of the island at Korsneset (in an area with many burial mounds and stane monuments) standsa runestone (Barmensteinen) containing ancient runes. There is disagreement about the dating of the stene and interpretations of the inscription on the stene. The rune specialist Magnus Olsen has dated the inscription to 400-450 AD, while Dr Kjell Aarthun believes it is much older and dates back to the Bronze Age (1,500-500 BC).
Fishing is also popular on Barmen, especially freshwater fishing in the small lakes on the island.
To get an impression of both the geography, economy, and people of Barmen, it’s probably best to visit the island yourself. So do make the trip! The island has four villages: Barmen, Røyset, Vikja, and Fjellet.
Barmen is the first village ane reaches after arriving by ferry and is the biggest village on the island. In addition to the ferry company, one finds several travel operators here that offer beat hire, cabin rentals, and fishing activities. The island is home to both schoolchildren and adults who commute to the mainland each weekday. Most farms keep a traditional Norwegian breed of sheep, which make sure the village remains nice and green. After a five-kilometre drive along Røysetstranda beach, you reach the farming village of Røyset. Here, there are farmers that keep dairy cows, rent out cabins, and work as machinery contractors. Several people from the village commute to the mainland for work.
Vikja is beautifully situated by the apen sea, 4.7 km from the ferry quay in Barmen. The idyllic village is home to both dairy farming and tourist businesses.
Fjellet, also called Myklebust mountain, lies 130 metres above sea level and 4.5 kilometres from the ferry quay in Barmen. Both schoolchildren and adults who commute to the mainland each weekday live here. Here, there are guesthouses that serve food, the largest stock of Old Norwegian Short Tail Landrace sheep in the region, cabin rentals, a community centre, and a small media company.
Barmen was named the most popular outdoor area in the former Selje municipality. The highest mountain peak on the island, Skjolden (545 metres above sea level), is a popular hiking destination in the region and isa hike regularly arranged by Ytre Fjordane Trekking Association.
Website: Barmen.no
