---
title: "Road Cycling in Valdres — The Complete Guide"
description: "Everything you need to know about road cycling in Valdres: routes, season, climbs, gear and practical planning for road cyclists."
type: guide
category: ruter
tags: [landevei, veisykkel, klatring, Valdres, Valdresflya, Beitostølen]
date: "2026-03-08"
relatedRoutes: [fagernes-til-beitostolen, valdresflya, slettefjellrunden, jotunheimen-dagstur, the-challenge]
relatedPlaces: [fagernes, beitostolen, jotunheimen-kanten, vaset]
---
<AnswerBox
question="Is Valdres good for road cycling?"
answer="Yes — Valdres has some of Norway's best road cycling routes: Valdresflya (72 km, 1100 hm), Fagernes–Beitostølen (47 km), and the Jotunheimen edge day trip (80 km). Long, open roads with little traffic and dramatic mountain scenery. Season: May to October in the valley, June–September at altitude."
/>
Valdres is known for gravel and MTB, but road cyclists have always known something the others eventually discovered: here you'll find some of the best climbing routes in southern Norway, open mountain roads with minimal traffic, and elevations you rarely reach on a road bike anywhere else.
This is the guide for you with slick tyres and a kit — or for anyone wondering whether a road bike is the right choice for Valdres.
## Road Cycling Routes in Valdres
We have 9 dedicated road cycling routes, ranging from easy family-friendly stretches to demanding mountain crossings.
### Easy routes (warm-up and families)
**[Slidre-Lomen Kulturvei](/ruter/slidre-lomen-kulturvei)** — 18 km, 120 hm
Quiet country road through Slidredalen. Light traffic, flat to gently rolling. Cultural-historic landscape with stave churches and old farms. Perfect for a first day or warm-up ride.
**[Steinsetfjorden rundt](/ruter/steinsetfjorden-rundt)** — 19 km, 180 hm
A pleasant loop around the lake in Etnedal. Calm and well suited for those who don't want big climbs. Variable surface — some gravel sections, but a road bike handles it fine.
**[Olsjøbakkadn](/ruter/olsjobakkadn)** — 15 km, 420 hm
Short but intense. A classic climbing workout for cyclists based in Fagernes. Steep and concentrated — 15 km delivers more than many rides six times the length. Popular training route among locals.
### Moderate (one day, good fitness)
**[Fagernes to Beitostølen](/ruter/fagernes-til-beitostolen)** — 47 km, 680 hm
Valdres' most-ridden stretch. Follows Rv51 along Slidrefjorden and climbs gradually toward Beitostølen. Some car traffic, but a good shoulder and road safety measures. Ends at Beitostølen (900 m asl) — take the bus back, or set it up as a point-to-point.
**[Slettefjellrunden](/ruter/slettefjellrunden)** — 65 km, 890 hm
A loop from Beitostølen via Slettefjell. Less well known than Valdresflya, but at least as beautiful. Quiet roads after the first 10 km — almost no cars on the mountain section.
**[Valdresflya from the East](/ruter/valdresflya-ost)** — 49 km, 950 hm
The approach to Valdresflya from the Jotunheimen side. Climbs from Bygdin (905 m asl) up to the plateau. Often combined with an overnight stay in Jotunheimen.
### Demanding (full-day routes, strong fitness)
**[Fagernes to Beitostølen → Valdresflya](/ruter/valdresflya)** — 72 km, 1100 hm
One of southern Norway's most iconic day stages. From Fagernes (185 m asl) to the Valdresflya plateau (1389 m asl) on Rv51. The climb begins after Beitostølen and is steady and predictable. The reward: 30 km across an open mountain plateau.
**[Jotunheimen Edge Day Trip](/ruter/jotunheimen-dagstur)** — 80 km, 1200 hm
A morning ride for those who want to experience Jotunheimen from a road bike. Passes Bessheim and rides along Vågåvatnet. Requires an early start and solid fitness.
**[The Challenge](/ruter/the-challenge)** — 90 km, 1400 hm
Not for nothing. Combines the Valdresflya climb with challenging terrain on the return. For experienced cyclists in good shape only. Ridden as an unofficial challenge among locals every year.
---
## Road Cycling Season
The road cycling season in Valdres is longer than most expect:
<StatGrid items={[
{ label: "Valley routes open", value: "April", sub: "Slidredalen, Etnedal" },
{ label: "Rv51 Fagernes–Beitostølen", value: "Year-round", sub: "Tarmac, road salt in winter" },
{ label: "Valdresflya (Rv51 over the mountains)", value: "June–October", sub: "Typically opens 1 June" },
{ label: "Best period", value: "June–August", sub: "Dry, little traffic" },
{ label: "Autumn cycling", value: "Sept–Oct", sub: "Fine weather, autumn colours" }
]} />
**Rv51 over Valdresflya** is the critical opening date. It closes in winter and typically opens around 1 June, depending on snow. Check [Statens vegvesen veikart](https://vegkart.no) for current status.
The valley routes (Slidredalen, Etnedal, down toward Fagernes) can be ridden from early April — some were out here in March 2025 after a mild winter.
---
## Road Bike or Gravel?
A common question. Short answer: a road bike works perfectly on all 9 road cycling routes.
**Road bike is optimal for:**
- Rv51 and all primary roads between valley and mountain
- The Valdresflya crossing
- The Jotunheimen edge road sections
**Gravel is better if you want to mix things up:**
- Some valley roads have gravel sections (Slidre-Lomen, Steinsetfjorden)
- Roads between municipalities can have uneven tarmac
- If you want to include trails or gravel road shortcuts
28c tyres or wider are recommended on a road bike. You'll handle most surfaces and absorb the vibrations from Norwegian mountain roads much better.
---
## Practical Planning
### Start and End Points
Most riders choose **Fagernes** as their base. The direct bus Oslo–Fagernes (Valdresekspressen) takes 3 hours, with bikes in the luggage hold by prior booking. From Fagernes you have immediate access to:
- Fagernes–Beitostølen (47 km out, bus back)
- Olsjøbakkadn (training loop, 15 km from the centre)
- Slidre-Lomen Kulturvei (15-minute drive to the start)
### Point-to-Point Logistics
Valdresflya is naturally ridden from Fagernes to the top — and then what? Your options:
1. **Turn around and ride back** (72 km → 144 km, 2200 hm total)
2. **Bus back** from Beitostølen (NOR-WAY Bussekspress stops there)
3. **Leave a car at both ends** (tricky logistics on your own)
4. **Continue toward Jotunheimen** — Bessheim and Bygdin are natural next stops
### Climbing and Elevation Profile
Valdres is not flat. If you ride here on a road bike, you should be comfortable with:
- Long, steady climbs (5–8% over 10–20 km)
- Steep sections up to 12% on Olsjøbakkadn and The Challenge
- Elevations above 1000 m asl — temperatures drop, and the wind can catch you
Acclimatise with a valley loop on day one. Save the mountain routes for days two and three.
### Gear for Valdres
Road cycling in the mountains requires a little extra:
- **Wind jacket** — always. Descending from Valdresflya can cool you down fast
- **Gloves** — on the mountain even in summer
- **Extra food** — no shops between Beitostølen and Otta on Rv51
- **Spare tube and CO₂** — nearest bike shop is Intersport Beitostølen
- **Strong lights** — the Lærdal tunnel and some sections under cliff faces
---
## The Best Stretches for Pure Experience
After everything we've seen and ridden:
**Top 1: The Valdresflya Plateau**
From where the road levels out after Beitostølen and out onto the plateau — 30 km with views toward Jotunheimen. No cars, low rolling resistance, big sky. That's why people come back year after year.
**Top 2: The Descent toward Fagernes**
Ridden Fagernes–Beitostølen and taking the bus back? Ride the descent instead. Following Slidrefjorden downhill is technically straightforward, but scenically at a level you rarely experience on a road bike.
**Top 3: Slettefjellrunden after Beitostølen**
Unknown to many visitors. The locals know. After the first few kilometres toward Slettefjell you're alone on the road with views toward Jotunheimen and Rondane.
---
## How to Plan a 3-Day Road Cycling Trip
**Day 1:** Arrive in Fagernes. Warm up with Olsjøbakkadn (15 km, 420 hm). Dinner in Fagernes.
**Day 2:** Fagernes–Beitostølen–Valdresflya and back (72 km, 1100 hm). Overnight in Beitostølen.
**Day 3:** Slettefjellrunden (65 km, 890 hm) from Beitostølen. Train/bus home from Fagernes.
Total: approx. 155 km, 2400 hm over three days. A good fit for experienced cyclists in moderate shape.
---
Road cyclists find something special in Valdres: routes that challenge you, landscapes that pay you back, and roads that weren't built for racing — they were built to be experienced.
Plan your trip on the [route overview](/ruter) and check [season and opening times](/artikler/2026-03-08-nar-apner-hva-valdres-2026) before you go.