The name Kruke has many different explanations. One of them says it comes from the fact that the river made a bend or a crouch where the farm started. The name Kruke is the only farm that has short form name coming from the nature and that sets the time back to the iron age.
Kruke has 20 old log buildings. 3 of the buildings stems from the 16TH century. It I s the dry climate combined with local architectual skill and the quality of the local wood that made it possible to preserve the houses in such good condition.
The farm and the buildings are protected by a law as historical monuments. As a historical documentation of cultural landscape, the whole valley Heidal represents a rural community. The department of Environment has produced a comprehensive plan for the preservation of the total landscape, and it is connected to the Jotunheimen and Rondane National Park.
Kruke is the birthplace of Pillarguri, known from the battle of Kringen in 1612. Pillarguri was the woman who signalized to the farmer army that the Scottish army lead by Lord Sinclair was about to approach. Pillarguri lost her boyfriend in this battle as he tried to save Miss Sinclairs baby. Kruke still has Pillarguris gown, and an authentic long wooden shepherdis horn (lur) like the one she played on.
On Kruke also a famous hunter legend Jo Gjende stayed from time to time, and he used the farms hunting and fishing cottage in Jotunheimen. Kruke still have the bed that Jo Gjende used at this time.
Another famous person that lived on Kruke was the clairvoyant person Marcello Haugen. Kruke repaired a barn from the 16. century and installed and painted it after his wish. Today the house is called the Marcellolåven and is used to sleep in for tourists.
Today you can experience many different and exciting things on Kruke and the near by surroundings. The river Sjoa a couple hundred meters from the farm, and the Jotunheimen and Rondane National Park a twenty minutes drive. Kruke cooperates with several companies who arranges mountain climbing, grotto excursions, canoeing/ kayakpadling, windsurfing on snow in summer, as well as glacier hikes or riding, or just a relaxing meal at a local farm.