MTB Valdres — Mountain Biking for All Levels

Valdres is one of Norway's best regions for mountain biking. From the professional trail systems at Beitostølen to family-friendly forest trails in Aurdal and technical singletrack at Grindaheim — there's a route for everyone.

Overview: 9 MTB Routes in Valdres

Route	Difficulty	Km	Elevation	Suited for
Beitostølen Trail Arena	🟢🔵🔴⚫	100+ km network	400–900 m	All levels
Bitihorn MTB	🔴 Red	22 km	750 m	Experienced
Fagernes Flow Trails	🟢🔵	15 km	300 m	Beginners and intermediate
Vaset Alpine MTB	🔴 Red	35 km	900 m	Advanced
Aurdal Forest Trails	🟢🔵	18 km	400 m	Families and beginners
Grindaheim Singletrack	🔴🔴	28 km	700 m	Experienced
Slidre Valley MTB	🔴 Red	45 km	1100 m	Advanced
Filefjell Nature Trails MTB	🔵🔴	30 km	600 m	Intermediate–advanced
Beitostølen Expert Trails	⚫ Black	20 km	600 m	Expert

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Beitostølen Trail Arena — Norway's Best Mountain MTB Facility

Beitostølen Trail Arena is the anchor point for MTB in Valdres. With over 100 km of marked trails from 900 to 1350 m elevation, this is Norway's most complete trail arena in the high mountains.

What you'll find here:

• 🟢 Green trails — wide, controlled runs. Perfect for children and beginners
• 🔵 Blue trails — somewhat technical with narrower lines and varying surfaces
• 🔴 Red trails — technical sections, drops and roots. Requires MTB experience
• ⚫ Black trails — large drops, exposed terrain. Full suspension recommended

eMTB is fully permitted on all marked trails (up to 250W/25 km/h). lokal operatør at Beitostølen rents eMTB and hardtail bikes in season — call sjekk direkte.

→ Read full guide: Mountain Biking and MTB at Beitostølen

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Bitihorn MTB — The Highlight of Valdres

Bitihorn MTB takes you from Beitostølen centre up to Bitihorn (1607 m) and back down via one of the facility's longest and most spectacular descent trails.

• Distance: 22 km
• Elevation gain: 750 m climbing
• Difficulty: Red — requires MTB experience and good fitness
• Views: 360° panorama over Valdres and Jotunheimen

The route is one of the most popular day trips at the Trail Arena and is highly rated by visitors from across Scandinavia.

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Fagernes Flow Trails — For Beginners and Families

Fagernes Flow Trails are the new trail systems in the forests around Fagernes and Leira. With 15 km of well-prepared flow trails and skills courses, this is the best place to learn mountain biking.

• Distance: 15 km (total network)
• Difficulty: Green and blue
• Pump track: Yes — indoor pump track at Valdres Storhall (Leira)
• Suited for: Children from age 8, beginners, those wanting to learn technique

Tip: Valdres Storhall at Leira has an indoor mountain bike course and pump track — perfect on rainy days.

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Vaset and Golsfjellet — MTB in the High Mountains

Vaset Alpine MTB gives you an authentic high-mountain MTB experience from Vaset on Golsfjellet. A demanding route with outstanding views over Valdres from approx. 1000 m elevation.

• Distance: 35 km
• Elevation gain: 900 m
• Season: June–September
• Start point: Vaset Fjellgård (E16, Vang)

→ See more about cycling opportunities at Golsfjellet and Vaset

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Aurdal — MTB for Families and Beginners

Aurdal Forest Trails are the most accessible MTB trails in Valdres — easy forest trails and wide gravel roads in peaceful surroundings around Aurdal.

• Distance: 18 km
• Difficulty: Green–blue
• Suited for: Families with children, beginners, those wanting to get in shape
• Start point: Aurdal centre

→ See more about Aurdal as a cycling destination

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Practical Info: MTB in Valdres

Season

The MTB season in Valdres normally runs from mid-June to the end of September. Beitostølen Trail Arena officially opens around 15–20 June, but lower trails may be rideable from the end of May.

Bike Rental

• Beitostølen: Local operator — check hardtail/eMTB, prices and availability directly
• Fagernes: Check local bike shops for rentals → Complete guide to bike rental in Valdres

Transport to Valdres

• Train + bus: Oslo Central Station → Fagernes (3 hrs) with Valdresekspressen. Bikes as checked luggage.
• Car: E16 from Oslo to Fagernes (approx. 2.5 hrs). Beitostølen an additional 30 min. → Transport and travel to Valdres with a bike

Accommodation

• Beitostølen: Beitostølen Høyfjellshotell, Golsfjell Resort, many cabins and apartments
• Fagernes: Valdres Høifjellshotell and many local farms → Accommodation for cyclists in Valdres

GPS Maps

Trailforks.com/region/valdres has crowdsourced maps with user ratings for all MTB trails in Valdres.

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Choose the Right Bike for Valdres Trails

The choice between hardtail, full suspension and eMTB determines how much you get out of the trails in Valdres. Here's a simple guide based on what you'll actually encounter out there.

Renting a bike? lokal operatør at Beitostølen has both hardtail and eMTB. Ask for a recommended bike for the route you're planning — they know the trails.

→ Complete guide to bike rental in Valdres

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Trail Etiquette and Safety on the Trail

Valdres trails are shared with hikers, grazing livestock and other cyclists. A few simple rules make the experience better for everyone.

On the trail:

• Make noise in corners — a friendly "hello" or bell gives hikers time to react
• Hikers have right of way — slow down and pass carefully
• Stay on marked trails — riding off-trail causes erosion, especially above the tree line
• Grazing animals — slow down around sheep flocks, pass calmly without startling them (June–September in the mountains)

Safety equipment:

• Helmet is mandatory at the Trail Arena and strongly recommended everywhere
• Gloves and goggles — roots and branches hurt without face protection
• Back protector — recommended on red and black trails, especially with drops
• First aid kit — a small kit with bandages and disinfectant weighs next to nothing

In case of an accident: Mobile coverage is variable in the mountains. Share your route plan with someone, and check coverage before riding longer MTB routes above the tree line. Emergency number 113 works even with weak signal.

→ More about safety on bike tours in Valdres

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Wet Trails — When Should You Ride and When Should You Wait?

Trails in Valdres can't handle everything. One rainy day can turn a red trail from fun to dangerous — and cause damage that takes weeks to repair. Understanding the ground conditions helps you choose better and do less damage.

Rainy day alternative: Fagernes Flow Trails in the forest drain fastest. Valdres Storhall (Leira) has an indoor pump track regardless of weather. A gravel ride along the valley floor works almost always.

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MTB Progression in Valdres — From Green to Red in One Week

Never ridden off-road before, or only tried easy forest trails? Valdres is one of the few places in Norway where you can go from complete beginner to mastering red trails in one holiday. The key is spending time at the right level before moving up.

Important: Progression is about technique, not fitness. In great shape but zero MTB experience? Start on green anyway. Crashing on red on day 1 sets you back a week.

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Frequently Asked Questions About MTB in Valdres

Can children ride MTB in Valdres? Yes — Beitostølen Trail Arena has green family runs, Fagernes Flow Trails suit children from age 8, and Aurdal Forest Trails are suitable for families.

Do I need a full-suspension MTB? No. A hardtail is sufficient for all green and blue trails. Full suspension is recommended for red and black trails at Beitostølen, and is essential for the expert routes.

Can I rent an MTB at Beitostølen? Yes — lokal operatør rents hardtail and eMTB bikes in season. Call sjekk direkte for prices and availability.

What is the best day trip for MTB in Valdres? Bitihorn MTB from Beitostølen is the most recommended day trip (22 km, red, fantastic views). For an easier ride: a blue loop at the Trail Arena (3–4 hours) combined with lunch in Beitostølen centre.