Is Fagernes a good place to cycle?

Yes. Fagernes is the natural starting point for cycling in Valdres — 6 routes from the town centre, bus connection from Oslo with bike space, rental of road, gravel and e-bikes, and all Valdres areas within 30–60 minutes by car.

Fagernes cycling guide — everything you need to know

Fagernes is the regional centre of Valdres. 5,500 inhabitants, 365 m above sea level, situated by Strandefjorden where the valleys meet. Not the most spectacular place to cycle in itself — but the best base for everything else.

This is where the road ride to Beitostølen starts, the family loop along Valdresbanen, and the steep climbs up Olsjøbakkadn. You have shops, cafés, accommodation and bike rental within walking distance. And you can take the Valdresekspressen bus here from Oslo in 2.5 hours — with your bike on board.

Who is Fagernes suited for?

Fagernes works for all levels, but is particularly well suited for:

Families who want safe, flat cycling on Valdresbanen or Timannsstølrunden
Beginners who need a base with short access to easy routes
Road cyclists who want the Beitostølen classic or steep interval training
Multi-day cyclists using Fagernes as the start/finish for tours into Valdres

The 6 routes from the town centre

Family routes

Valdresbanen Sykkelvei — 15 km · 50 hm · Easy · 1–1.5 h

Car-free tarmac along the old railway line between Fagernes and Leira. Flat, wide and safe — the best family route in Valdres for children aged 5–6 and up. You ride through forest and along the river, with benches and rest areas along the way.

Timannsstølrunden — 17 km · 120 hm · Easy · 1.5–2.5 h

Mountain pasture landscape on gravel and forest roads just outside the town centre. Light traffic, steady climb to a maximum of 480 m. Children from age 7 with some cycling experience can handle this easily.

Fløafjorden Familierunde — 22.5 km · 150 hm · Easy · 1.5–3 h

Follows the fjord southward with good swimming spots along the way. Tarmac and gravel, maximum 420 m. Slightly longer than Valdresbanen — suited for those who have cycled a bit before and want more variety.

Road cycling and climbing

Fagernes til Beitostølen — 47 km · 680 hm · Moderate · 3–4 h

The classic. Rv51 northward along Slidrefjorden, gradual climb from 365 to 936 m. The final kilometres with views towards Bitihorn and Jotunheimen make 680 metres of elevation gain feel worth it. Can be ridden in either direction, but northbound gives the best rhythm and finish.

Olsjøbakkadn — 15 km · 520 hm · Demanding · 1–1.5 h

Valdres' steepest paved climb. 3.5% average gradient up to 680 m — short and intense. A local favourite for those chasing elevation and Strava segments. Perfect for interval training or a quick morning session.

Mountain biking

Fagernes Flytstier — 10 km · 200 hm · Easy · 1–3 h

Newly built flow trails and natural trails in the forest just outside the town centre. Maximum 450 m, accessible for beginner and intermediate MTB riders. Short enough that you can ride straight from the hotel, test the trails, and be back for lunch.

Season in Fagernes

Fagernes sits at 365 m — lower than most other cycling areas in Valdres. That means a longer season.

Check the daily cycling weather and season guide for current conditions.

Practical information

Getting to Fagernes

Bus from Oslo: Valdresekspressen runs Oslo–Fagernes in approximately 2.5 hours. Takes bikes — book a bike space when you purchase your ticket. Departures from Oslo Bus Terminal several times daily.

Car from Oslo: E16 via Hønefoss, then Rv33/Rv51. Approximately 3 hours. Free parking at Fagernes skysstasjon and several places in the town centre.

Train: No direct rail to Fagernes. The nearest train station is Gjøvik (Gjøvikbanen from Oslo) — then bus onward to Fagernes (approximately 1.5 hours).

Bike rental

Fagernes Sportssenter in the town centre rents road, gravel and e-bikes. Call or visit for prices and availability — the season normally starts in May. See the rental guide for an overview of all rental outlets in Valdres.

Food and drink

Coop and Rema 1000 within walking distance of the centre for packed lunches and drinks. Several cafés and restaurants in the centre for lunch or dinner after your ride. Scandic Valdres has a restaurant.

Accommodation

Scandic Valdres in the centre, a campsite by Strandefjorden, and cabins in the surrounding area. Read the accommodation guide for more options.

Fagernes as a base for all of Valdres

The advantage of Fagernes is its location. From here you can reach all the main areas:

Beitostølen — 47 km north, 1 hour by car. 13 routes, Trail Arena, largest selection of bike rental.
Vaset — 50 km northwest, 1 hour by car. Mjølkevegen, Panoramavegen, quiet mountain roads.
Aurdal — 15 km south, 15 min by car. Easy family routes by Slidrefjorden.
Etnedal — 30 km southeast. Quiet forest cycling, Langsua National Park nearby.
Filefjell — 60 km west. Kongevegen, history, gravel.

Combine day trips from Fagernes by car or bus, or plan a multi-day with Fagernes as start and finish.

Half day in Fagernes — three hours or less

Not everyone has a full day. Here are the three best options if you have limited time:

Morning session favourite: Olsjøbakkadn (15 km, 520 hm) is one hour of intense climbing. Start at 07:00, back at 08:30, shower and breakfast. Local cyclists use this as a regular training route.

Rainy day tip: Valdres Folkemuseum is the indoor alternative. 100+ historic buildings under cover and outdoors — works even in drizzle. Coop and Rema 1000 have everything you need for the evening.

Linking the routes — network thinking

The Fagernes routes connect. You can combine them into longer rides without driving between starting points:

Valdresbanen + Begna river route: Cycle to Leira, continue along the Begna southward towards Aurdal. 34 km total, flat and family-friendly the whole way.
Strandefjorden + Fløafjorden: Start in the centre, south along the fjord, loop via Fløa. 30 km with swimming along the way.
Olsjøbakkadn + Høydeveien: Climb Olsjøbakkadn, continue on gravel roads at altitude. 35 km with 700+ hm — a solid training day.
Town centre loop → Folkemuseum → Storholmen: Three short routes linked together give a 25 km half day with a cultural element.

All routes start and finish in Fagernes town centre — you never need a car to get going.

After the ride

Strandefjorden offers swimming right in the centre on warm days. Valdres Folkemuseum has over 100 old buildings and is worth a stop — especially with children. The centre has ice cream, coffee and a relaxed evening by the water.

Our tips

Start with Valdresbanen if you are new. Flat, car-free and 15 km return — low threshold, high reward.
The Beitostølen route is better northbound. You start low and build upward — the reward comes at the end.
Olsjøbakkadn is short but brutal. Don't let the 15 km fool you — 520 hm over that distance demands strong fitness.
Book your bus ticket with bike space in advance. Valdresekspressen has limited bike capacity during the summer months.
Fagernes is low enough to cycle in May. While Beitostølen and Vaset often have snow until June, the valley-floor routes from Fagernes are ready from late April.

Strandefjorden — cycling routes along the water

Strandefjorden is Fagernes' living room and provides some of the finest family routes in Valdres. The eastern side of the fjord has an old main road with minimal traffic — flat tarmac and gravel close to the water, with several natural swimming spots.

For those wanting more of a challenge, gravel roads climb into the hills west of Fagernes towards Leirskogen. From here the view opens across the entire fjord and town — and the descent back is fun with bends and drops. A 20 km gravel loop with 350 hm of climbing.

Both routes start and finish in the town centre. No car, no logistics — just bike and water.

Gravel opportunities around Fagernes

Fagernes is surrounded by gravel roads. The hills on both sides of the valley have networks of municipal roads and forest tracks that work perfectly for gravel riding. The advantage: you start low (365 m) and work your way up — giving a long season from May to October.

Tip: Combine Valdresbanen southward with a gravel branch-off into the hills for a half-day ride that mixes flat and demanding. You get the best of both worlds — and you always end up in Fagernes for dinner.

Fagernes cycling guide — routes, tips and practical info