Communications
The Highway 44 on its way through Ougendal
Up until a couple of centuries ago, only foot-paths and bridle-ways existed in Dalane.
The first proper cart-track went from Hauge to Rekedal and Ripland to Åvendal,
and further onwards to Egersund.It was in use up to around 1900, but by then it had been
replaced with the current Highway 44, running past Eikeli and Selebø, built between 1885-89.
It has of course been straightened and widened many times since then, the last major work having been a by-pass at Rekeland built around 1980, shortening the road to district centre Hauge with almost 2 miles.
It takes about 15 minutes to reach both Hauge and Egersund by car.
The old road is now a part of the "Experience Dalane Trail" and is an interesting walk in quiet
surroundings.
Åvendal and Birkeland was linked with a road around 1890, but the connection onwards to Nesvåg
and Hauge was not completed until after WW2.
Today this narrow road is very popular with cyclists as it runs through scenic terrain and cosy
hamlets.
In 1917 the Sokndalruta Buscompany was founded, and nowadays the company has almost hourly departures from Hauge to Egersund and onwards to Stavvanger, run with modern comfortable coaches.
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