---
title: "Offroad Valdres — trail riding and MTB in Valdres"
description: "Offroad Valdres: 20+ km of free flow trails and shuttle runs around Fagernes. Sustjednet–Garli (8 km descent), Skardsbakkan and Fagernes Flow Trails — season May–October."
date: "2026-03-15"
tags: ["mtb", "trail-riding", "offroad-valdres", "flow-trails", "fagernes"]
category: "guide"
---
<AnswerBox
question="What is Offroad Valdres?"
answer="Offroad Valdres is the local MTB club in Valdres, affiliated with Fagernes and Nord-Aurdal. They build and maintain over 20 km of flow trails and off-road loops in the forests around Fagernes and Leira, including the Sustjednet–Garli shuttle run and Skardsbakkan MTB. The trails are free and open to everyone."
/>
# Offroad Valdres — trail riding for all levels
Valdres is best known for gravel routes and road cycling on Mjølkevegen and Valdresflya — but behind the scenes, a dedicated MTB club is building its own trail network in the forests around Fagernes and Leira.
**Offroad Valdres** (affiliated with [CK Valdres](https://www.ckvaldres.no/)) has in recent years cleared and built over 20 kilometres of flow trails on the high plateau and in the forests of Nord-Aurdal. The result is a growing network of trails that no other online guide covers properly.
## The trails Offroad Valdres maintains
<StatGrid items={[
{ label: "Flow trails total", value: "20+ km" },
{ label: "Shuttle runs", value: "2+" },
{ label: "Difficulty levels", value: "Easy–Challenging" },
{ label: "Season", value: "May–October" },
]} />
### Sustjednet–Garli (shuttle run)
The best-known shuttle run in the network. Start at the top by Sustjernet in Ranheimsbygda (just off the road towards Leirin Airport), and ride down 8 km to Garlikrysset at Leira.
- **Length:** 8 km (descent)
- **Elevation:** 50 m up / 200 m down
- **Difficulty:** Intermediate
- **Terrain:** Winding flow trail through clear-cut areas and dense birch forest, with open glade sections
**How to use the shuttle:** Drive to Sustjernet (parking along the road), ride down to Garlikrysset, drive back up. Two gates along the way — easy to cross.
→ [Sustjednet–Garli route page](/ruter/sustjednet-garli-shuttlebar)
### Skardsbakkan MTB
A local classic around Fagernes — 12 km of technical forest trail with 280 m elevation gain. A popular after-work ride for local cyclists. Intermediate difficulty, suitable for mid-level riders and experienced beginners.
→ [Skardsbakkan route page](/ruter/skardsbakkan-fagernes-mtb)
### Fagernes Flow Trails
The largest network near Fagernes town centre — 10 km of flow trails and a pump track at Valdres Storhall in Leira. Open to everyone, free of charge, and perfect for families and beginners. BUA Valdres (in Storhallen) offers free bike loans for children from Valdres.
→ [Fagernes Flow Trails route page](/ruter/fagernes-flytstier)
---
## Beitostølen Trail Arena — professional MTB centre
At the top of Valdres, at the foot of Jotunheimen, you'll find [Beitostølen Trail Arena](/ruter/beitostolen-trail-arena) — Norway's premier MTB destination with lift access.
<StatGrid items={[
{ label: "Marked trails", value: "100+ km" },
{ label: "Green–Black", value: "4 grades" },
{ label: "Altitude", value: "approx. 1000 m asl" },
{ label: "Lift access", value: "Yes" },
]} />
Trail Arena is a different kind of MTB experience compared to Offroad Valdres' forest trails — more of an alpine bike park with ski-lift-assisted riding. The two complement each other perfectly:
<StatGrid items={[
{ label: "Beitostølen Trail Arena — style", value: "Alpine bike park with lift access" },
{ label: "Offroad Valdres — style", value: "Natural forest trails, shuttle/pedalling" },
{ label: "Trail Arena — difficulty", value: "Green–Black, all levels" },
{ label: "Offroad Valdres — difficulty", value: "Easy–Intermediate, nature experience" },
{ label: "Trail Arena — price/season", value: "Day pass, June–September" },
{ label: "Offroad Valdres — price/season", value: "Free, May–October" },
]} />
---
## Golsfjellet — demanding high-mountain MTB
On the border between Valdres and Hallingdal you'll find [Golsfjellet](/omrade/golsfjellet) with challenging MTB trails such as [Skardåsen](/ruter/skardaas-golsfjellet-mtb):
- **Skardåsen:** 15.4 km, 400 m elevation gain, challenging — technical singletrack to 980 m asl
- Exposed sections and panoramic views over Hallingdal and Valdres
- Recommended for experienced riders only
---
## Trail riding season in Valdres
<StatGrid items={[
{ label: "April", value: "❄️ Possible on frozen ground — check locally" },
{ label: "May", value: "🟡 Flow trails near Fagernes OK. High mountain: no" },
{ label: "June", value: "✅ Full season — all trails open" },
{ label: "July–August", value: "✅ Peak season — dry, fine weather, longest daylight" },
{ label: "September", value: "✅ Autumn colours, fewer crowds, great conditions" },
{ label: "October", value: "🟡 Forest trails OK, high mountain closing" },
]} />
---
## Getting to the trail network
**From Oslo:**
- Valdresekspressen to Fagernes: approx. 3.5 hours (bike in luggage compartment)
- By car via E16/Rv4: approx. 3 hours
**Bike rental in Fagernes:**
- [BUA Valdres](https://valdresstorhall.no) (Valdres Storhall, Leira) — free for children from Valdres, rental price for others
- [lokal operatør Fagernes](https://fjellkjeden.no) — MTB rental and service
---
## Practical info about Offroad Valdres
- **Club:** CK Valdres / Offroad Valdres
- **Website:** [ckvaldres.no](https://www.ckvaldres.no/)
- **Trails:** Free and open to everyone
- **Volunteering:** The trails are built and maintained by volunteers — ride with respect!
---
## Progression — from beginner to shuttle run junkie
Trail riding in Valdres has a natural progression ladder. You don't need to start with Sustjednet–Garli — in fact you shouldn't, unless you already have MTB experience.
<StatGrid items={[
{ label: "Step 1: Pump track (Leira)", value: "Free, flat, perfect for learning balance and corners. Suitable for children from age 5 and adults who have never tried MTB." },
{ label: "Step 2: Fagernes Flow Trails (green)", value: "10 km of wide trails with gentle corners. Low exposure, good flow. Intermediate level after 2–3 rides." },
{ label: "Step 3: Skardsbakkan (blue)", value: "12 km with technical sections, roots and rocky stretches. Requires basic trail technique and ability to read the terrain." },
{ label: "Step 4: Sustjednet–Garli (red)", value: "8 km shuttle with steeper sections, tight corners and varied surfaces. The reward: pure flow for 20 minutes downhill." },
{ label: "Step 5: Beitostølen Trail Arena", value: "Black trails with drops, rock gardens and technical sections. Come here with solid experience from steps 1–4." },
{ label: "Time estimate", value: "From step 1 to step 4: typically 4–8 rides over 2–3 weekends. Don't rush — trail riding is most fun when you master the level." },
]} />
**Tips for beginners:** Rent a full-suspension MTB (available via [lokal operatør Fagernes](/guider/leie-sykkel-valdres)) for your first rides. A good bike makes an enormous difference to how confident you feel on technical terrain. Hardtail works fine on flow trails, but full suspension gives more margin for error.
## Combine trail riding with gravel — multi-day plan
Valdres is unique because you can combine trail riding with long gravel routes in the same holiday. Most MTB destinations offer only one type of cycling — here you get both.
<StatGrid items={[
{ label: "Day 1: Fagernes → trails", value: "Morning: Fagernes Flow Trails and pump track. Afternoon: Skardsbakkan MTB. Overnight Fagernes." },
{ label: "Day 2: Shuttle run + gravel", value: "Morning: Sustjednet–Garli (2–3 laps). Afternoon: Gravel ride along the Valdresbanen rail trail to Aurdal and back. Overnight Fagernes." },
{ label: "Day 3: Beitostølen Trail Arena", value: "Drive/bus to Beitostølen. Full day bike park with lift access. Overnight Beitostølen." },
{ label: "Day 4: Mjølkevegen stage", value: "Ride Beitostølen–Bygdin or Beitostølen–Golsfjellet on gravel. 40–60 km of mountain farm roads with a completely different character from yesterday's trails." },
{ label: "Transport", value: "Valdresekspressen takes bikes in the luggage compartment. Drive between Fagernes and Beitostølen (45 min) or take the bus." },
{ label: "Gear tip", value: "One bike for everything: a 29er hardtail with 2.2 tyres handles both trails and gravel. Full suspension is more comfortable on trails but heavier on gravel." },
]} />
This combination — flow trails in the morning, gravel along mountain farms in the afternoon — is something few other destinations in Norway can offer. [Trysil](/guider/valdres-vs-trysil-sykling) has a better bike park, but lacks the gravel network. [Lillehammer](/guider/valdres-vs-lillehammer-sykling) has Hafjell, but no Mjølkevegen. Valdres gives you both.
→ [Bikepacking Valdres — plan your multi-day trip](/guider/bikepacking-valdres)
→ [Mjølkevegen complete guide](/guider/mjolkevegen-alt-du-trenger-a-vite)
---
## Trail etiquette and volunteer culture — take care of the trails
The trails in Valdres are built and maintained by volunteers in CK Valdres. There is no municipal maintenance, no entry fee, no paid trail crew. Everything you ride on is the result of volunteer work — local enthusiasts who clear trees, dig drainage ditches and build corners in their spare time.
<StatGrid items={[
{ label: "Yield rule", value: "Cyclists yield to walkers and horse riders. Always. Your braking sound startles dog walkers — give a friendly 'hello!' early instead." },
{ label: "Wet trail = closed trail", value: "Riding on muddy trails digs ruts that become permanent. The flow trails around Fagernes are especially vulnerable during snowmelt (May). Wait until the trail is dry." },
{ label: "Skid marks", value: "Don't lock the rear wheel on descents. Skid marks erode the trail and create water channels. Brake smoothly with both brakes — it's faster and kinder to the trail." },
{ label: "Volunteer days", value: "CK Valdres organises trail workdays several times per season. Check ckvaldres.no or the Facebook group for dates. One evening with a saw and spade = giving back for hundreds of hours of flow." },
{ label: "Report damage", value: "Fallen tree, eroded trail or broken signage? Send a message to CK Valdres. They'll fix it — but only if they know about it." },
{ label: "Share the trails", value: "The trail network is shared with hikers, livestock and horse riders. In July–August there are sheep in the terrain — slow down, keep your distance and don't leave gates open." },
]} />
**Rule of thumb:** Leave the trail looking better than when you arrived. Move a stone, clear a branch, pick up litter. It takes five seconds and makes a difference over thousands of passes.
---
## Injuries and first aid — when things go wrong in the forest
Trail riding carries higher risk than gravel and road cycling. You are alone in the forest, the terrain is unpredictable, and mobile coverage can be unreliable. Preparation makes the difference.
<StatGrid items={[
{ label: "Most common injuries", value: "Arm fractures (collarbone), wrist injuries, cuts on shins from pedals. Always wear a helmet — and consider knee/elbow pads on red and black trails." },
{ label: "First aid kit", value: "Minimum: 2 large bandages, sports tape, disinfecting spray, antihistamine. Weighs under 200 grams, fits in the top pocket of a backpack." },
{ label: "Mobile coverage Fagernes trails", value: "Good 4G coverage on Fagernes Flow Trails and Skardsbakkan. Sustjednet–Garli has patchy coverage mid-route — call 113 from the top or bottom." },
{ label: "Mobile coverage Beitostølen", value: "Trail Arena has coverage at the base area and upper sections. Forest sections in the middle have gaps. Download offline maps." },
{ label: "Emergency numbers", value: "113 (ambulance) · 110 (fire) · 02116 (Valdres out-of-hours GP) — save all before your ride" },
{ label: "Buddy system", value: "Never ride red/black trails alone without telling someone where you are and when you expect to be back. Share your location in Strava Beacon or similar." },
]} />
**Specifically about the shuttle run (Sustjednet–Garli):** Here you are 3–5 km from the nearest road mid-route. If you have a serious accident, it can take 30–60 minutes for help to reach you. Ride with margin — this is not the place to push your limits unless you have company and experience.
---
## Frequently asked questions about trail riding in Valdres
<FAQ items={[
{
question: "What is Offroad Valdres and who can use the trails?",
answer: "Offroad Valdres is the trail riding division of MTB club CK Valdres. They operate 20+ km of free flow trails and shuttle runs around Fagernes and Leira in Nord-Aurdal. The trails are free and open to everyone — no membership, no payment, no requirements. Season: May–October depending on snow."
},
{
question: "What is Sustjednet–Garli and how do you use the shuttle run?",
answer: "Sustjednet–Garli is an 8 km shuttle run: you drive to Sustjernet (parking along the road towards Leirin airport), ride down to Garlikrysset at Leira (200 m descent, 30–40 min), and drive back up. Two gates along the way are easy to cross. Difficulty: intermediate. Requires basic trail technique."
},
{
question: "Does Valdres have flow trails — and are they free?",
answer: "Yes. Offroad Valdres operates Fagernes Flow Trails (10 km at Valdres Storhall, Leira) and Sustjednet–Garli (8 km shuttle run). Both are free and open. Beitostølen Trail Arena also has 100+ km of marked MTB trails (day pass required for lift access, but trails are freely accessible on foot)."
},
{
question: "What bike do you need for trail riding in Valdres?",
answer: "For Fagernes Flow Trails and Sustjednet–Garli: a hardtail MTB with 29-inch wheels and 2.2+ tyres is fine. Full suspension gives more comfort on technical sections. For Beitostølen Trail Arena (black trails) full suspension is recommended. Bike rental: local operators in Fagernes and Beitostølen (check directly)."
},
{
question: "How does trail riding in Valdres compare to Trysil and Hafjell?",
answer: "Trysil and Hafjell are alpine bike parks with lift-assisted trails — impressive but expensive (200–300 NOK/day pass). Valdres offers free, natural flow trails from Offroad Valdres + Beitostølen Trail Arena + 267 gravel routes in the same region. No other Norwegian destination combines free-to-ride trail cycling with Mjølkevegen-quality gravel."
}
]} />
<SeAlso items={[
{ href: "/mtb", label: "MTB Valdres — all off-road trails and trail guides" },
{ href: "/guider/stisykling-beitostolen-alle-stier-trail-arena", label: "Beitostølen Trail Arena — all 11 trails complete guide" },
{ href: "/ruter/beitostolen-trail-arena", label: "Beitostølen Trail Arena — route with map and elevation profile" },
{ href: "/guider/bitihorn-mtb-komplett-guide", label: "Bitihorn MTB — complete guide to a demanding classic" },
{ href: "/ruter/fagernes-flytstier", label: "Fagernes Flow Trails — 10 km flow trail at Leira" },
{ href: "/ruter/sustjednet-garli-shuttlebar", label: "Sustjednet–Garli shuttle run — 8 km down to Leira" },
{ href: "/ruter/skardaas-golsfjellet-mtb", label: "Skardåsen MTB on Golsfjellet — demanding high-mountain trail" },
{ href: "/guider/mtb-progresjon-nybegynner-ekspert-valdres", label: "MTB progression — from green to black in Valdres" },
{ href: "/guider/leie-sykkel-valdres", label: "Bike rental in Valdres — MTB and gravel hire" },
{ href: "/guider/sesong-valdres-sykkel", label: "Season — when do the trails open in Valdres?" },
{ href: "/omrade/fagernes", label: "Fagernes — trail riding base camp" },
{ href: "/ruter", label: "All cycling routes in Valdres" }
]} />