---
title: "Cycling + other activities in Valdres — your multi-active mountain holiday"
description: "Combine cycling with fishing, hiking, paddling and climbing in Valdres. Complete guide to an active summer holiday with cycling as your base."
type: guide
category: planlegging
tags: [activities, fishing, hiking, paddling, climbing, summer-holiday, valdres, multisport]
date: 2026-03-10
area: valdres
relatedRoutes: [panoramavegen, tisleifjorden-rundt, valdresbanen-sykkelvei, slidre-lomen-kulturvei, beitostolen-trail-arena]
relatedPlaces: [beitostolen, fagernes, vaset, filefjell-vang, jotunheimen-kanten]
---
# Cycling + other activities in Valdres — your multi-active mountain holiday
Valdres is more than cycling routes. It's mountain lakes full of trout, trails up to 2000 metres, rivers you can paddle, and climbing crags with views over half of southern Norway. The best cycling holiday doesn't have to be about *only* cycling — it can be a whole week where the bike takes you where no car can go, and then you switch activity.
Here is the complete guide to combining cycling with everything else Valdres has to offer.
<AnswerBox
question="Can I combine cycling with other activities in Valdres?"
answer="Absolutely. Valdres is perfect for multi-active holidays — cycling in the morning, fishing or hiking in the afternoon. Beitostølen and Fagernes are the best bases, with short distances to mountain lakes, hiking trails, paddling routes and climbing crags. You can easily fill a week with varied activities."
/>
## Cycling + fishing — mountain lakes on two wheels
Valdres has over 300 fishing lakes, and many of the best lie along the cycling routes. Pack a telescopic rod and a few flies in your bike bag — you won't need more.
### Best combinations
- **[Tisleifjorden Rundt](/ruter/tisleifjorden-rundt)** → Tisleifjorden offers good trout fishing from shore. Stop midway through the loop and fish for an hour.
- **[Panoramavegen](/ruter/panoramavegen)** → Several mountain lakes along the road between Vaset and Beitostølen. Arctic char and trout.
- **Stølsvidda area** → Remote lakes with little fishing pressure. Perfect for a gravel bike + fishing combo.
### Practical info
- **Fishing permits:** Buy at [inatur.no](https://www.inatur.no) or local shops. Most permits cover several lakes.
- **Season:** June–September. Best bites early morning and late evening.
- **Gear:** Telescopic rod (fits in a bike bag), a few flies/spinners, fishing line. More than enough.
## Cycling + hiking — combine altitude with speed
Bike in, walk up, bike down. This combination gives you access to mountain summits that normally require a long approach march.
### Top 3 combo experiences
1. **Bitihorn (1607 masl)** from [Beitostølen](/omrade/beitostolen)
- Cycle along Beitostølsvegen to the base of Bitihorn. Lock your bike and walk up (approx. 1.5 hours). Fantastic 360° views.
- Total time: 3–4 hours (cycling + hiking).
2. **Valdresflya plateau** from [Filefjell](/omrade/filefjell-vang)
- Cycle up to Valdresflya (1389 masl) and continue on foot towards the Jotunheimen edge. Norway's rooftop as a backdrop.
- Combine with the [Valdresflya route](/ruter/valdresflya-panorama).
3. **Langsua trail** from Etnedal
- [Etnedal Skogsveirunde](/ruter/etnedal-skogsveirunde) as a warm-up, then hike into Langsua national park.
- Gentle terrain, perfect for those who want forest and silence.
### Tips
- Use a bike lock — a light wire lock weighs under 200 grams.
- Bring light hiking shoes that can be strapped to the outside of your bike bag.
- Plan your ride timing so you have 2–3 hours of daylight left for the hike.
## Cycling + paddling — from pedals to paddle
Begnadalen and Slidrefjorden are the two best paddling areas you can reach by bike.
### Recommended combinations
- **[Slidre-Lomen Kulturvei](/ruter/slidre-lomen-kulturvei)** → Cycle along Slidrefjorden, hire a kayak and paddle back. Calm fjord, safe for beginners.
- **Begna river** → The Fagernes area has several canoe rental outlets. Cycle in the morning, paddle in the afternoon.
- **Strondafjorden** → Long, narrow lake perfect for a half-day paddle. Combine with cycling routes around [Fagernes](/omrade/fagernes).
### Practical info
- **Rental:** Several operators near Fagernes and Beitostølen rent out kayaks and canoes. Check local tourist offices.
- **Level:** Slidrefjorden and Strondafjorden are calm — suitable for everyone. Begna has some rapids for those with experience.
- **Combo tip:** Morning on the bike (when your legs are fresh), afternoon in the kayak (your arms take over).
## Cycling + climbing and via ferrata
Valdres has several climbing crags and via ferrata routes that make a perfect change of pace from the saddle.
### Highlights
- **Via ferrata at Beitostølen** — Secured climbing route with fantastic views. 2–3 hours. Equipment available to rent.
- **Climbing crag at Fagernes** — Several bolted sectors with routes from grade 4 to 7. Short cycling distance from the centre.
- **Bouldering at the Jotunheimen edge** — For those who want to combine gravel cycling with bouldering on natural rock.
### Tips
- Via ferrata requires a helmet and harness — available to rent locally.
- Book via ferrata in advance during peak season (July).
- Climbing gear fits poorly in a bike bag — cycle light to the crag and rent there.
## Cycling + spa and recovery
After hard cycling days, your body deserves something in return. See our complete guide to [spa and wellness after cycling in Valdres](/guider/spa-og-wellness-etter-sykkeltur-valdres).
In brief:
- **Beitostølen Resort** — swimming pool, jacuzzi and massage
- **Nøsen Fjellhotell** — sauna with mountain panorama
- **Fagernes Badet** — affordable option with family pool
## Week plan: 5 days of varied activity
<StatGrid stats={[
{ label: "Monday morning", value: "Panoramavegen (35 km gravel)", sub: "Cycling" },
{ label: "Monday afternoon", value: "Fishing in mountain lakes along the route", sub: "Fishing" },
{ label: "Tuesday morning", value: "Bitihorn hike (1607 masl)", sub: "Hiking" },
{ label: "Tuesday afternoon", value: "Spa/recovery Beitostølen", sub: "Recovery" },
{ label: "Wednesday morning", value: "Valdresbanen Sykkelvei (family route)", sub: "Cycling" },
{ label: "Wednesday afternoon", value: "Paddling on Slidrefjorden", sub: "Paddling" },
{ label: "Thursday morning", value: "Via ferrata Beitostølen", sub: "Climbing" },
{ label: "Thursday afternoon", value: "Beitostølen Trail Arena MTB", sub: "MTB" },
{ label: "Friday morning", value: "Tisleifjorden Rundt", sub: "Cycling" },
{ label: "Friday afternoon", value: "Finish: local food and café", sub: "Relaxing" },
]} columns={2} />
## What do you need to bring?
In addition to standard cycling gear (see [packing list for Mjølkevegen](/guider/pakkeliste-mjolkevegen)):
- **Telescopic fishing rod** + a few flies/spinners
- **Light bike lock** (wire, under 200 g)
- **Light hiking shoes** (can be strapped to the outside of your bag)
- **Swimwear** — mountain lakes are cold but refreshing
- **Fishing permit** — buy digitally in advance
## Best base for a multi-active holiday
- **[Beitostølen](/omrade/beitostolen)** — most activities within a short distance. Via ferrata, Trail Arena, spa, fishing.
- **[Fagernes](/omrade/fagernes)** — central location with paddling, climbing and cultural experiences. Most dining options.
- **[Vaset](/omrade/vaset)** — quieter, perfect for fishing + gravel combo. Close to Panoramavegen.
Whatever your base: Valdres is compact enough that you can vary your activities daily without long drives. Using the bike as transport between activities is the whole point.