Cycling Golsfjellet — Norway's Best-Mapped Mountain Plateau
Complete guide to cycling on Golsfjellet, Norway: 9 gravel routes from 5 to 43 km, Mjølkevegen connection, train from Oslo, and the most detailed cycling map in Norway.
Is Golsfjellet good for cycling?
Yes — Golsfjellet is one of Norway's best gravel cycling destinations. Situated at 800–1050 metres above sea level between Hallingdal and Valdres, it has 9 mapped cycling routes from 5 to 43 km, Norway's most comprehensive cycling map (covering 400+ km of trails across Hemsedal, Golsfjellet and Valdres), and direct train access from Oslo (3.5 hours to Gol station). It is also the southern terminus of Mjølkevegen — Norway's most famous gravel cycling route.
Golsfjellet straddles the border between Hallingdal and Valdres at 800–1050 metres above sea level. It is home to what many consider Norway's most complete cycling map — a single map covering Hemsedal, Golsfjellet and Valdres with over 400 km of marked trails and gravel roads.
It is also the southern start or end point of Mjølkevegen — Norway's national cycling route no. 5, stretching 250 km north to Vågå. If you finish Mjølkevegen here, you catch the train home from Gol station (3.5 hours to Oslo). If you start here, you climb north towards Jotunheimen.
Why cycle Golsfjellet?
- 9 mapped cycling routes — from a 5 km family loop to a challenging 43 km mountain circuit
- Norway's most complete cycling map with GPS tracks for every route
- Direct train access from Oslo — Gol station, 3.5 hours, bikes allowed
- Mjølkevegen start/end point — the natural gateway to Norway's most popular gravel route
- Open mountain landscape at 800–1050 m — wide views, little forest, panoramas to Jotunheimen and Hemsedal
- Family-friendly — flat to moderate terrain, well-signed, safe for children on gravel bikes
The cycling routes
Family and beginner routes
Lauvsjø Rundt — 5.3 km | 30 m elevation | Easy | 30–60 min The shortest marked route on Golsfjellet. A relaxed loop around Lake Lauvsjøen on gravel roads with minimal climbing. Perfect for children and first-time mountain cyclists.
Einarsetrunden — 12.6 km | 150 m | Easy | 1–1.5 hours A lovely family loop through summer farm (støl) country. Gravel roads with gentle climbing — nothing demanding. Ends at a støl café with waffles and homemade jam.
Pardisrunden — 18 km | 240 m | Easy | 1.5–2.5 hours A longer family loop through peaceful støl landscapes. Suitable for children on gravel or hybrid bikes.
Vesle Golsfjellrunden — 20 km | 280 m | Easy | 1.5–2.5 hours The smaller sibling of the classic Golsfjellet circuit. Covers the core area with fine mountain lake views. Can be combined with Einarsetrunden for a half-day outing.
Intermediate gravel routes
Blomeslettrunden — 22.7 km | 310 m | Easy/Moderate | 1.5–3 hours This loop crosses into Hemsedal county and gives you views over two valleys. Mixed surface — some singletrack mixed with gravel. Unique on Golsfjellet.
Golsfjellet Rundt — 31.9 km | 450 m | Moderate | 2.5–4 hours The classic. A complete circuit of the plateau with panoramic views towards Jotunheimen and Hallingdal. Well-signed, no technical sections, but you will feel those 450 metres of climbing.
Hallingrunden — 35.1 km | 520 m | Moderate | 2.5–4 hours Crosses into the Hallingdal side and back. More singletrack than other routes — for those who want a little more adventure in their gravel ride. Highest point: 1049 m above sea level.
Longer routes for experienced cyclists
Golsfjellet Gravelrunde — 40 km | 480 m | Moderate | 3–4.5 hours The big gravel loop. Takes you through the best of what Golsfjellet offers — mountain lakes, summer farms, open plateaux and excellent views. Combines the best sections of Golsfjellet Rundt with a longer western segment.
Tisleidalen Rundt — 43.1 km | 620 m | Moderate/Challenging | 3–5 hours The toughest route on Golsfjellet. Combines the plateau with a descent into Tisleidalen — a beautiful valley few tourists know. 620 metres of elevation over 43 km is manageable for fit cyclists but demanding for beginners.
Route summary
| Route | km | Elevation | Level | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lauvsjø Rundt | 5.3 | 30 m | Easy | 30–60 min |
| Einarsetrunden | 12.6 | 150 m | Easy | 1–1.5 h |
| Pardisrunden | 18 | 240 m | Easy | 1.5–2.5 h |
| Vesle Golsfjellrunden | 20 | 280 m | Easy | 1.5–2.5 h |
| Blomeslettrunden | 22.7 | 310 m | Easy/Moderate | 1.5–3 h |
| Golsfjellet Rundt | 31.9 | 450 m | Moderate | 2.5–4 h |
| Hallingrunden | 35.1 | 520 m | Moderate | 2.5–4 h |
| Golsfjellet Gravelrunde | 40 | 480 m | Moderate | 3–4.5 h |
| Tisleidalen Rundt | 43.1 | 620 m | Moderate/Hard | 3–5 h |
Season
The Golsfjellet cycling season runs from mid-June to late September. Snow lingers at 1000+ metres well into June, and some routes may be partially blocked in early June. The optimal window is July and August — all routes open, støls staffed, cafés and mountain lodges have summer hours. September brings autumn colours and cooler air, with far fewer fellow cyclists.
Getting there
By train: Oslo S to Gol station — 3.5 hours. Bikes are allowed on Norwegian intercity trains (buy a bike ticket). From Gol, it is 20 km to Golsfjellet — taxi, local bus, or arrange hotel pick-up with Storefjell Resort Hotel. This is one of Norway's best "train and bike" day trips.
By car: E16 from Oslo towards Hønefoss → Gol, then follow signs to Golsfjellet. Parking at Storefjell Resort Hotel and at several points along the routes. Drive time: approximately 2.5 hours from Oslo, 4 hours from Bergen.
By bus: Valdresekspressen from Oslo stops at Fagernes (3.5 hours), from where connecting buses run towards the area.
Accommodation and food
Storefjell Resort Hotel is the anchor on Golsfjellet — cycle-friendly, offers bike rental, and can arrange luggage transfer. During rides you pass several støls (traditional summer farms) with waffles, coffee and homemade food.
For more options, see the accommodation guide for cyclists in Valdres. Cycling Mjølkevegen and want everything arranged? See cycling packages in Valdres.
Bike rental
Storefjell Resort Hotel has bike rental during the season — gravel and hybrid bikes available. See the bike rental guide for the full picture, including e-bikes.
Connection to Mjølkevegen
Golsfjellet is stage 4 or 5 of Mjølkevegen depending on your start point. The route enters from the north (from Vaset and Stølsvidda) and exits south via Gol station. If you are cycling the full Mjølkevegen:
- From Beitostølen to Gol: Read the stage 3 guide — Beitostølen to Golsfjellet
- From Golsfjellet to Gol: Read the stage 4 guide — Golsfjellet to Gol