Bikepacking in Valdres — routes, accommodation and tips
Everything you need for bikepacking in Valdres. Mjølkevegen, Valdres–Jotunheimen and Valdresrunden with accommodation, gear and practical tips for multi-day trips.
Valdres is one of Norway's best bikepacking landscapes. High mountains, long gravel roads, light traffic and a chain of mountain lodges and accommodation options make it possible to plan multi-day routes without a tent if you prefer. Here are the three best bikepacking routes in the region.
Is Valdres good for bikepacking?
Yes. Valdres has over 400 km of gravel roads and forest tracks, mountain lodges along the main routes and light traffic. Mjølkevegen (250 km, 4–5 days) is Norway's most popular bikepacking route. You don't need a tent — accommodation is available along the entire route.
Route 1: Mjølkevegen — 250 km, 4–5 days
Mjølkevegen is Norway's flagship bikepacking route. The route runs from Vinstra (Gudbrandsdalen) to Gol (Numedal) through the summer-farm landscape of Valdres and is 90% gravel.
Facts:
- Distance: 250 km
- Elevation gain: 3200 hm total
- Difficulty: Moderate (no technical sections, but cumulative effort)
- Recommended bike: Gravel (38–45 mm) or hardtail MTB
- Season: June–September
4-day breakdown:
Accommodation: Mountain lodges and hotels along the entire route. Book well in advance for July–August. Mysusæter Fjellstue, Skåbu Fjellhotell and Vaset Fjellhotell are popular stops.
Transport: Train/bus to Vinstra (NSB from Oslo, 2.5 hrs). Bus home from Gol (NSB/NOR-WAY).
Route 2: Valdres–Jotunheimen — 3–4 days
An epic route from Fagernes to the national park via Beitostølen, Valdresflya and Tyin.
Facts:
- Distance: approx. 180 km
- Elevation gain: 2800 hm
- Difficulty: Demanding — long climbs, exposed high mountain terrain
- Recommended bike: Gravel with 40+ mm tyres
- Season: July–August (roads above 1300 masl open late)
3-day breakdown:
Tips: The Tyin–Bessheim road is partly private — check opening times with Statens vegvesen. Alternatively take Rv55 to Lom.
Route 3: Valdresrunden — 200 km, 3 days
A loop starting and ending in Fagernes that circles the entire Valdres region.
Day 1: Fagernes → Aurdal → Etnedal (65 km, gravel and tarmac) Day 2: Etnedal → Tislei → Gol → Hemsedal (75 km, rougher gravel) Day 3: Hemsedal → Filefjell → Vang → Fagernes (60 km, road and gravel)
The route covers all of Valdres' faces: cultural landscapes, summer-farm valleys, mountain passes and proximity to the western fjords over Filefjell.
Gear for bikepacking in Valdres
What do you pack for bikepacking in Valdres?
For 3–5 days of bikepacking in Valdres without a tent: handlebar bag (5–8 L), frame bag (4–6 L) and saddle bag (10–16 L). Total luggage weight 6–10 kg. With mountain lodges along the route you don't need a sleeping bag — bring a wool base layer. A water filter pen is useful for high mountain sections.
Essential:
- Tubeless tyres (gravel and rocks are hard on inner tubes)
- At least 3 spare tubes + chain tool
- Offline maps (Komoot) — mobile coverage is poor on the high mountain sections
- Waterproof luggage packing (without dry bags: everything gets soaked)
- Windproof jacket + warm mid-layer — temperature varies by 15°C between valley and mountain
Recommended bags:
- Apidura, Restrap or Ortlieb — all handle Norwegian rain
- Avoid cheap bags on long tours — buckles and seams fail
Practical info
Water: Clean mountain water from streams everywhere in Valdres. Filter or boil water from pastures where livestock are present.
Food: Mountain lodges serve dinner and breakfast (400–600 NOK/day). Bring your own snacks — shops are rare between the valley tops.
Mobile coverage: Good in the valleys, absent above 1200 masl. Download maps and routes offline before departure.
Emergencies: Always let someone know your route. The Hjelp 113 app sends your GPS position.
Check Mjølkevegen.no for updated mountain lodge bookings and GPX tracks.