Rent a bike in Valdres — complete guide to bike rental

Don't have your own bike? No problem. Valdres has one of Norway's best bike rental networks — with rental locations at both ends of Mjølkevegen, one-way rental between stations, and luggage transport included. Here's everything you need to know.

Can you rent a bike in Valdres?

Yes! lokal operatør offers bike rental in Beitostølen, Fagernes, Vaset, Tyin-Filefjell, Storefjell/Kamben and Gol. You can rent at one shop and return at another — perfect for one-way trips along Mjølkevegen. There's also Bike & Hike Jotunheimen at Lemonsjøen and free rental through BUA Valdres. Book in advance in July–August at fjellkjedenrental.com.

Rental locations in Valdres

lokal operatør — main supplier

lokal operatør and Intersport form the dominant rental network in Valdres. They have shops at all the key starting points and offer coordinated one-way rental. Their unique collaboration makes it possible to rent a bike at one location and return it at another.

Book online: fjellkjedenrental.com — book well in advance!

Bike types available:

E-bike — gravel paths, Mjølkevegen, mountain routes — read the e-bike guide for tips
eMTB (electric mountain bike) — Trail Arena Beitostølen and trail riding
Gravel bike — gravel roads and gravel surfaces
Mountain bike (MTB) — trails and technical terrain

Bike & Hike Jotunheimen — specialist in mountain experiences

A newer option for those who want to combine cycling with other outdoor activities:

BUA Valdres — free equipment rental

BUA is a non-profit equipment centre that lends out sports equipment free or at very low cost. Perfect for families or those who want to try cycling without a big investment.

One-way rental along Mjølkevegen

The big advantage of the lokal operatør network: you can rent at one end and return at the other.

Can you rent a bike to cycle Mjølkevegen?

Yes. lokal operatør offers bike rental at Beitostølen, Fagernes and Vaset — including e-bikes. They also offer luggage transport between accommodation stops along Mjølkevegen, so you only need a small day pack. One-way rental between stations is possible. Book at fjellkjedenrental.com or call Beitostølen (sjekk direkte).

How it works:

Book the bike in advance via fjellkjedenrental.com
Pick up in Beitostølen or Fagernes
The bike is returned to the next rental station after the trip
Luggage transport: your luggage is driven to the next overnight stop — you cycle light

This combination makes Mjølkevegen accessible for people travelling by train or bus to Valdres.

E-bike and eMTB rental

Where can you rent an e-bike in Valdres?

lokal operatør Beitostølen and Fagernes offer e-bike rental, including e-bikes along Mjølkevegen and eMTB for Trail Arena. With an e-bike, Mjølkevegen can be cycled in 3 days instead of 4–5. Bike & Hike Jotunheimen at Lemonsjøen also has e-bikes. Call ahead — popular models are often fully booked in July.

E-bikes are ideal for:

Mjølkevegen (250 km, 5 stages) — recommended for most riders
Valdresflya (1100 m above sea level) — an e-bike makes it manageable for most people
Families with different fitness levels
Older riders and those who want to spend more time on experiences than exertion

eMTB is ideal for:

Beitostølen Trail Arena (100+ km of marked trails)
Technical terrain along the Jotunheimen edge
Red and black trails in the Beitostølen area

Is an e-bike legal on all Valdres routes?

Yes. E-bikes with a max 250W motor and 25 km/h self-propelled limit are legal on all cycling routes in Valdres, including Mjølkevegen and Valdresflya. The same rules apply to eMTBs. Most modern rental e-bikes meet these requirements.

Hotels and accommodation with bike rental

Several accommodation providers offer bikes for guests (first come, first served):

Practical tips

Book early — seriously

July and August are peak season. Popular models (e-bikes especially) are fully booked weeks in advance. Use fjellkjedenrental.com or call directly.

Bring your own

Even with a rental bike, you should bring:

Helmet (check if included in rental)
Bike bags/panniers (not always available)
Cycling shoes (clipless or flat — ask about pedal type)
Cycling gloves and a windproof jacket

Bike sizing

Provide your height and inseam when booking — especially important for e-bikes where frame height and battery weight affect comfort.

Insurance and liability

Ask about insurance when renting. Standard terms typically don't cover theft if the bike isn't locked. Take a photo of the bike when you pick it up.

Which bike should you choose?

Routes suited to rental bikes

All of these routes can be cycled on a rental bike from Beitostølen or Fagernes:

Mjølkevegen — 250 km, 5 stages — the classic; one-way rental works perfectly
Panoramavegen — e-bike recommended for the steep climb
Vaset family loop — flat and safe, perfect on a rental hybrid
Storefjell–Vaset — short day trip from Golsfjellet

Groups and companies — book together

lokal operatør offers tailored rental packages for groups and companies — up to 50 bikes in a single booking. Perfect for cycling clubs planning a training camp, companies on team-building trips, or groups of friends cycling Mjølkevegen together.

How to book for groups:

Contact the rental location directly — fjellkjedenrental.com has a group enquiry form
Provide the number of bikes, bike types, start and end location, and dates
Arrange pick-up, return and any luggage transport
Helmets and basic tools are usually included — confirm when booking

For cycling clubs and training groups: see our guide on group cycling in Valdres and cycling training camps.

Checklist at pick-up — how to avoid problems on the road

Five extra minutes at pick-up can save you hours of trouble on the trail:

Never ridden on gravel before? Then your first gravel ride is a good starting point before you pick up the rental bike. See also the season guide for opening dates and mountain farm tracks in Valdres for inspiration on what to do with the rental bike.

Children and families — bike rental for the youngest riders

Families benefit the most from rental bikes. Strapping children's bikes to the roof rack for a trip to Valdres is cumbersome, and kids grow out of bikes faster than you can adjust the saddle.

Practical tips for families:

Book children's bikes early — the selection is much smaller than for adults. In July they can be sold out weeks in advance.
Provide the child's height and age when booking. Frame size matters more than age — a child who is 130 cm needs a different bike than one who is 145 cm.
Test ride at pick-up: Let the child cycle a lap in the car park. Can they reach the brakes? Can they reach the pedals without stretching? Five minutes now saves a bad day on the trail.
E-bike for parents with a trailer or child seat is a good solution for children under 5. Check that the e-bike can handle the weight of the trailer — not all models are approved for this.
BUA Valdres in Leira lends children's bikes for free. First come, first served — call ahead to check what's available.

For family-friendly routes to test the rental bike on, see family cycling in Valdres and routes under 30 km.

Returns and damage — what you need to know

Rental bikes in Valdres are largely handled on trust, but it's worth knowing the rules before you sign.

Tip: Take photos of the bike at pick-up and return. This documents the condition and avoids disputes. Have travel insurance? Check whether it covers rental equipment — some policies include bike damage. If unsure, ask the rental location about additional insurance at booking.

Bike service and workshops

Does your bike need servicing?

lokal operatør Beitostølen — bike workshop with a mechanic in season
Intersport Fagernes — bike service in season
Beitostølen Resort (Beitostølen) — drying room and workshop for guests

Book an appointment in advance during peak season (July–August). For urgent repairs (punctures, cables) it's worth knowing the basics yourself — always bring a repair kit.

Updated March 2026. Prices and availability vary — contact the rental location directly for the current season. Source: visitvaldres.no, fjellkjedenrental.com.

Rent a bike in Valdres — everything about bike rental