Offroad Valdres — Mountain Biking and Trails in Valdres
Offroad Valdres is the local MTB club building 20+ km of flow trails around Fagernes and Leira. Guide to mountain biking in Valdres: trails, shuttles, season and access.
What is Offroad Valdres?
Offroad Valdres is the local MTB club in Valdres, based in Fagernes and Nord-Aurdal. They build and maintain 20+ km of flow trails and singletrack in the forests around Fagernes and Leira, including the Sustjednet–Garli shuttle trail and Skardsbakkan MTB. All trails are free and open to everyone.
Mountain Biking in Valdres — Trails, Shuttles and Flow
Valdres is most famous for gravel cycling on Mjølkevegen and road cycling on Valdresflya — but behind the scenes, a dedicated MTB club is building a trail network in the forests around Fagernes and Leira.
Offroad Valdres (part of CK Valdres) has built and cleared over 20 kilometres of flow trails on the mountain and in the forests of Nord-Aurdal. The result is a growing network of trails that no other English-language guide covers properly.
The Offroad Valdres Trail Network
Sustjednet–Garli (Shuttle Trail)
The most popular shuttle route in the network. Start at the top near Sustjernet in Ranheimsbygda (by the road toward Leirin Airport), ride 8 km down to Garlikrysset near Leira.
- Distance: 8 km (descent)
- Elevation: 50 m up / 200 m down
- Difficulty: Intermediate
- Terrain: Winding flow trail through clearcut forest and dense birch, with open glades and tight forest sections
How to use the shuttle: Drive to Sustjernet (roadside parking), ride down to Garlikrysset, drive back up. Two fences to cross — easy to manage.
Skardsbakkan MTB
Local classic around Fagernes — 12 km of technical forest trail with 280 m elevation gain. Popular afternoon ride for locals. Intermediate difficulty, suitable for intermediate riders and experienced beginners.
Fagernes Flow Trails
The largest trail network near Fagernes town — 10 km of flow trails and a pumptrack at Valdres Storhall in Leira. Free for everyone, perfect for families and beginners. BUA Valdres (in the sports hall) offers free bike loans for children from Valdres.
Beitostølen Trail Arena — Norway's Premier MTB Centre
At the top of Valdres, at the foot of Jotunheimen, you'll find Beitostølen Trail Arena — Norway's leading MTB destination with lift access.
Trail Arena is a different style of MTB from Offroad Valdres' forest trails — more alpine bike park with ski-lift assisted riding. The two complement each other perfectly:
| Beitostølen Trail Arena | Offroad Valdres (Fagernes/Leira) | |
|---|---|---|
| Style | Alpine bike park | Natural forest trails |
| Lift access | ✅ Yes | ❌ Shuttle/pedal |
| Difficulty | Green–Black | Easy–Intermediate |
| Cost | Day pass required | Free |
| Season | June–September | May–October |
| Best for | All levels, park riding | Local trails, shuttle, exploration |
Golsfjellet — Challenging High Mountain MTB
On the border between Valdres and Hallingdal, Golsfjellet offers demanding MTB trails including Skardåsen:
- Skardåsen: 15.4 km, 400 m elevation, hard — technical singletrack to 980 masl
- Exposed sections and panoramic views over Hallingdal and Valdres
- Recommended for experienced riders only
Mountain Biking Season in Valdres
| Month | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| April | ❄️ Winter | Possible on frozen ground — check locally |
| May | 🟡 Opening | Flow trails near Fagernes OK. High mountain: not yet |
| June | ✅ Full season | All trails open |
| July | ✅ Peak season | Best conditions — dry and warm |
| August | ✅ Peak season | Perfect weather, long daylight |
| September | ✅ Excellent | Autumn colours, fewer crowds |
| October | 🟡 Closing | Forest trails OK, high mountain closing |
Getting There
From Oslo:
- Valdresekspressen bus to Fagernes: approx. 3.5 hours (bikes in luggage compartment)
- By car via E16/Rv4: approx. 3 hours
Bike rental in Fagernes:
- BUA Valdres (Valdres Storhall, Leira) — free for children from Valdres, rental for others
- lokal operatør Fagernes — MTB rental and service
About Offroad Valdres
- Club: CK Valdres / Offroad Valdres
- Website: ckvaldres.no
- Trails: Free and open to everyone
- Volunteer-built: Trails are built and maintained by volunteers — please be respectful!