Mjølkevegen + Rallarvegen combined — mountain Norway by bike
Combine Norway's two best cycling routes: Mjølkevegen (250 km) + Rallarvegen (82 km) = 332 km, 7–10 days. Gol → Haugastøl by train via the Bergen Line. DIY plan 2026.
Mjølkevegen + Rallarvegen combined — 332 km through mountain Norway
Can you combine Mjølkevegen and Rallarvegen in one trip?
Yes — Gol is the connection point. Cycle Mjølkevegen (250 km, Vinstra→Gol), take the train from Gol station to Haugastøl on the Bergen Line (approx. 1 hour, bikes on board), and cycle Rallarvegen (82 km, Haugastøl→Flåm). Total distance: 332 km, 7–10 days, season 15 June–September. Budget: NOK 6,000–15,000 per person.
Norway's two most iconic cycling routes are just a train ride apart. And Gol station — the endpoint of Mjølkevegen — is a stop on the Bergen Line that takes you straight to Haugastøl, the starting point of Rallarvegen. This is no coincidence: it's one of Norway's best cycling combinations.
The connection: Gol → Haugastøl by Bergen Line
This is what most people don't know: Gol station is a stop on the Bergen Line. And Haugastøl — the starting point of Rallarvegen — is also a stop on the Bergen Line. It's just ~55 minutes and one train journey between them.
Train transfer Gol → Haugastøl:
- Operator: Vy (Bergen Line)
- Travel time: approx. 55 minutes
- Bikes on board: ✅ Yes, bikes accepted (price approx. NOK 100–150 per bike)
- Departures: Through trains Oslo–Bergen, stopping at Gol and Haugastøl
- Tickets: Book via vy.no — reserve bike space well in advance
The complete itinerary
Option A: Oslo → Bergen (classic direction)
| Day | Stage | km | hm |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | Oslo S → Vinstra (train, 2.5 hrs) | — | — |
| 1 | Vinstra/Skåbu → Ruten Fjellstue | 55 km | 820 hm |
| 2 | Ruten → Bygdin | 60 km | 780 hm |
| 3 | Bygdin/Beitostølen → Vaset/Haugseter | 55 km | 750 hm |
| 4 | Vaset → Gomobu/Golsfjellet | 50 km | 640 hm |
| 5 | Golsfjellet → Gol (Mjølkevegen complete!) | 30 km | 210 hm |
| 6 | Rest day in Gol / train Gol → Haugastøl (1 hr) | — | — |
| 7 | Haugastøl → Finse | 40 km | 740 hm |
| 8 | Finse → Flåm (Rallarvegen!) | 45 km | 610 hm down |
| 8 | Flåm → Bergen (Flåmsbana + Nærøyfjord) | — | — |
Total: ~335 km, 8–9 days in the saddle
Option B: Bergen → Oslo (west to east)
Start on Rallarvegen (Flåm → Haugastøl → train to Gol), cycle Mjølkevegen northward (Gol → Vinstra), and take the train home to Oslo. A more demanding direction on Mjølkevegen, but you start fresh and lose elevation on Rallarvegen.
Option C: 7-day sprint
For fitter cyclists: compress this into 7 days by combining stages on Mjølkevegen (70+ km/day) and riding Rallarvegen in one long day.
Mjølkevegen — 250 km (National Cycle Route 5)
See our complete Mjølkevegen guide for full planning. Here's the essence:
- Distance: 250 km (Vinstra → Gol)
- Elevation gain: ~3,200 hm total
- Surface: 80% gravel/mountain tracks, 20% asphalt
- Season: Approx. 15 June – September
- Mountain lodge bookings: Ruten (+47 61 36 60 00), Haugseter (+47 61 34 70 00), Gomobu (+47 61 35 77 10)
- Luggage transport: local operator at Beitostølen (check directly for current services)
Rallarvegen — 82 km (Haugastøl to Flåm)
- Distance: 82 km (Haugastøl → Flåm)
- Elevation gain: ~1,340 hm (mostly DOWNHILL towards Flåm — spectacular!)
- Highest point: 1,340 moh (Haugastøl/Finse plateau)
- Lowest point: 2 moh (Flåm, by the fjord)
- Season: Usually 1 July – September (depends on snow)
- Surface: Gravel/track along the railway, some paved sections
- Bike rental Haugastøl: Haugastøl Tourist Centre, tel. +47 32 08 78 00
- Accommodation Finse: Finse 1222 (DNT mountain hut), tel. +47 56 52 71 71
Note: Rallarvegen usually opens 1 July — check visitflam.com/rallarvegen for the current opening date. Mjølkevegen opens approx. 15 June. Plan the combined trip no earlier than 1 July.
Accommodation overview — both routes
| Location | Route | Phone | Price/night |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ruten Fjellstue | Mjølkevegen stage 1 | +47 61 36 60 00 | NOK 800–1,100 |
| Bygdin Høifieldshotel | Mjølkevegen stage 2 | +47 61 36 60 00 | NOK 900–1,400 |
| Haugseter Fjellstue | Mjølkevegen stage 3 | +47 61 34 70 00 | NOK 750–1,100 |
| Gomobu Fjellstue | Mjølkevegen stage 4 | +47 61 35 77 10 | NOK 700–1,000 |
| Storefjell Resort Gol | Gol (transfer) | +47 32 07 80 00 | NOK 900–1,400 |
| Finse 1222 (DNT) | Rallarvegen midpoint | +47 56 52 71 71 | NOK 600–900 |
| Flåm Marina & Apartments | Rallarvegen end | +47 57 63 35 55 | NOK 800–1,400 |
Budget calculator
| Travel style | Cost per person |
|---|---|
| Budget (camping + hut mix) | NOK 6,000–8,000 |
| Mid-range (mountain lodges throughout) | NOK 9,000–12,000 |
| Comfort (hotels + package services) | NOK 13,000–18,000 |
Includes accommodation, food, train Oslo–Vinstra + Gol–Haugastøl, and Flåmsbana to Bergen.
Bike type — what works best?
| Bike type | Mjølkevegen | Rallarvegen | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gravel bike (35–45 mm) | ✅ Perfect | ✅ Perfect | Best choice |
| Mountain bike | ✅ OK | ✅ OK | Heavier but works |
| E-bike (min. 85 km range) | ✅ Ideal | ✅ Ideal | Charging stations at Haugastøl |
| Road bike | ⚠️ Challenging | ⚠️ Challenging | Not recommended |
E-bike charging at Haugastøl: Haugastøl Tourist Centre has charging stations for e-bikes — especially important for Rallarvegen.
Practical: Luggage and gear
Mjølkevegen: Book luggage transport via a local Beitostølen operator; check current service directly. You'll ride with just a day pack (5–10 litres). Check current price directly before booking.
Rallarvegen: Rallarvegen is shorter (1 day Haugastøl–Flåm), so most riders carry everything themselves. Bikepackers use panniers. Most take only a small pack and send heavy luggage on the Bergen Line.
On the Bergen Line (Gol → Haugastøl): Bring your bike in the carriage. Book a bike space with Vy when purchasing your ticket. Space is limited and this is a popular route — book well in advance.
Practical information
Flåm after Rallarvegen:
- Flåmsbana (spectacular rack railway): Flåm → Myrdal → Bergen by train
- Nærøyfjord cruise: Flåm → Gudvangen
- Direct flights: Bergen to Oslo (45 min) or bus/train (6–7 hours)
- Bikes on Flåmsbana: ✅ Yes, for a fee
Train with bike Oslo ↔ Bergen (full route):
- Oslo S → Bergen via Bergen Line: approx. 6.5 hours
- Bikes carried in luggage carriage (book well in advance)
- Alternative: Fly Bergen → Oslo and ship your bike as freight
Season and planning tips
- Earliest start: 1 July (Rallarvegen opens)
- Optimal dates: 1–31 August (least snow, best weather, but most crowds)
- Avoid the first half of July on Mjølkevegen: lodges are booked up by families
- Book mountain lodges at least 2–4 weeks in advance (1 July–10 August: 4–6 weeks)
- Check Rallarvegen opening date: visitflam.com or Statens vegvesen
- Weather: Both routes can have unstable weather — bring a rain jacket regardless
Frequently asked questions
Which direction is best for the combined trip? Most recommend the Oslo → Bergen direction. You start with Mjølkevegen (mountain pasture landscape, gradually challenging) and finish with Rallarvegen's dramatic descent to Flåm and the fjord — a perfect finale.
Can you do this with children? Mjølkevegen is family-friendly on the South Route (30 km stages). Rallarvegen is more technical and steep — best for children over 12 with basic mountain biking experience.
Is it possible to rent a bike for the combined trip? Yes, but it's practically challenging. lokal operatør på Beitostølen (sjekk direkte for dagens tilbud) rents out gravel and e-bikes. You can also rent at Haugastøl Tourist Centre (+47 32 08 78 00) for the Rallarvegen section only.
What does the train Gol → Haugastøl cost? Approx. NOK 150–300 per person + NOK 100–150 per bike. Varies by ticket type — book well in advance at vy.no.