The Stave Churches of Valdres by Bike

Can you cycle between the stave churches in Valdres?

Yes — Valdres has six of Norway's 28 preserved stave churches, and all can be reached by bike. Hedalen, Reinli, Lomen, Hegge, Øye and Høre are spread from Sør-Aurdal to Vang, with 10–40 km between each. Quiet country roads and gravel tracks connect them. A complete loop takes 2–3 days.

Six stave churches — no other region has more

Valdres is Norway's stave church capital. Six of the country's 28 preserved stave churches stand here, spread from Hedalen in the south to Høre in the north. The distance from the southernmost to the northernmost is roughly 90 km along the valley roads — just right for a cycling trip over two to three days.

During the summer season most churches are open for visits several days a week, with guided tours. Remember to get a church passport at the tourist office in Fagernes — you stamp it at each church, and with all six stamps you enter the draw for the year's main prize.

The six stave churches

How to plan the route

You can cycle all six stave churches in a continuous trip over 2–3 days, or pick individual stages as day trips.

Day 1: Hedalen → Reinli → Bagn (approx. 45 km)

Start at Hedalen — Norway's largest stave church. Follow Fv243 northward through quiet forest landscape to Reinli stave church, sitting on a beautiful hill just south of Bagn. From here it is a short ride to Bagn town centre for food and accommodation.

The surface is asphalt and gravel. The terrain is rolling with some moderate climbs through the forest between Hedalen and Reinli.

Route: Bagn–Reinli loop covers the stretch around Reinli. For the Hedalen connection, follow Hedalen–Vassfaret southward.

Day 2: Bagn → Lomen → Hegge → Øye (approx. 50 km)

From Bagn follow the valley road northward along the Begna river to Lomen stave church in Vestre Slidre — one of the best preserved, with dragon-head ornaments and a ridge turret. Continue northeast to Hegge stave church by the E16, then westward to Øye stave church in Vestre Slidre.

This stage partly follows the Slidre–Ulnes culture loop and offers fine viewpoints over Slidrefjorden.

Tip: Fagernes lies along the route — perfect for a lunch break and topping up water.

Day 3: Øye → Høre (approx. 35 km)

The final stage takes you from Øye northward through Valdres' innermost valley to Høre stave church in Vang. The church stands high and open with a sweeping view over Vangsmjøse. A worthy finish.

The route follows quiet country roads and Rv51. From Høre you can take the bus back to Fagernes, or continue toward Filefjell for more cycling.

Practical tips

Season: The stave churches are open for interior visits from around mid-June to mid-August. You can see them from outside year-round, but the cycling season runs June–September.

Surface: A mix of asphalt (main roads) and gravel (country roads and shortcuts). A gravel or hybrid bike works best.

Accommodation: Fagernes is the natural base, with hotels and camping. Bagn also has accommodation. For a more adventurous option: camping along the route (the right to roam applies).

Transport: The Valdresekspressen bus from Oslo stops in Fagernes. Train to Gjøvik and bus onward. Bikes can be taken on the bus — check with Innlandstrafikk.

Church passport: Available at the tourist office in Fagernes for 100 kr. Collect stamps from all six churches to enter the annual draw.

What makes the stave churches special?

The stave churches of Valdres were built between 1150 and 1250 — Norwegian medieval craftsmanship at its finest. They are constructed with upright timber (staves), a building technique that is almost unique to Scandinavia. Of the 28 preserved stave churches in Norway, six stand in Valdres — more than a fifth.

Hedalen stave church is the largest, with a Madonna statue from the 13th century considered one of Norway's most important medieval artworks. Lomen has the most distinctive silhouette with its dragon-head ornaments. Høre, the northernmost, has the view — the church sits on a rise with open sightlines over Vangsmjøse and the mountains behind.

For cyclists there is a particular experience in rolling up to these buildings along quiet gravel roads. No coach parties, no car parks full of motorhomes — just you, your bike, and 850 years of history.

What to look for in each church?

You don't need to be an architecture expert to appreciate the stave churches — but it helps to know what you're looking at.

The stave construction: Look for the upright timber posts (staves) that carry the entire structure. At Hedalen you can see how the original staves from 1163 still hold the building up — almost 900 years of engineering.

The dragon heads: Lomen is the church you remember by its silhouette. The dragon heads on the ridge are distinctly Norse — a blend of Christian church and Viking Age. Photographers love this church in backlight.

The portals: Several of the churches have carved portals with vine scroll ornamentation. Hedalen has the most famous, with animal and plant motifs mixing pagan and Christian imagery. Look for the small lion among the scrolls.

The interior: Inside the churches it is dark and intimate — that was the intention. Light enters through small openings. In Hedalen you will find the Madonna sculpture from the 13th century, one of Norway's most important medieval artworks. Hegge has an unusually open floor plan.

Combine stave churches with a hike

The bike gets you between the churches — but some of the best experiences lie just nearby, on foot.

Hedalen → Vassfaret: From Hedalen stave church it is a short ride into Vassfaret, one of Norway's last true wildernesses. A 2-hour walk in along a marked trail gives a completely different atmosphere from the cycling road.

Lomen → Slidrefjorden: After Lomen stave church you can take a detour down to Slidrefjorden for a swim. From mid-June to August the water is suitable for swimming. Take the path down from the churchyard — 15 minutes on foot.

Høre → Vangsmjøse loop: Høre stave church sits high above Vangsmjøse. After the church visit you can cycle the Vangsmjøsa loop — a 20 km gravel circuit along the water with light traffic.

Reinli → Bagn town centre: From Reinli it is a short downhill to Bagn, where you will find a café and grocery shop. Perfect for lunch after the first two churches.

Photo guide — best time and angle for each church

The stave churches are photogenic all day, but light makes the difference between a good shot and one you hang on the wall.

Three general photography tips:

A polarising filter cuts reflections in the dark timber and adds depth to the sky — especially useful at Lomen and Høre.
Walk all the way around before you start shooting. Most photographers only photograph the façade, but the backs of the stave churches often have the oldest and most untouched details.
Scale: Lean your bike against the church for perspective. A gravel bike against 850-year-old stave construction is an image that tells the story of your trip.

One-day option — three stave churches from Fagernes

Only have one day? Three of the stave churches are within a day trip from Fagernes. This route is 45 km with moderate climbing — manageable for most riders.

Route: Fagernes → Lomen → Hegge → Øye → Fagernes

Why these three? Lomen has the most distinctive silhouette, Hegge is the most accessible with good information boards, and Øye is the most intimate — small, quiet, with a charm the larger churches lack. Together the three give a good cross-section of the stave church tradition in Valdres.

E-bike option: On an e-bike you can cover all six in one long day. Start at Hedalen at 07:00, follow the Day 1 route to Bagn, swing over to Lomen → Hegge → Øye, and finish with Høre. Total approx. 130 km — demanding, but possible with a 625 Wh battery and economical use of assist.

Who is this for?

The stave church route is perfect if you want to combine cycling with cultural experiences. The stages are moderate — 35–50 km per day over rolling but manageable terrain. Works well for:

Couples and adults who want more than just exercise
Families with children over 12 (shorter daily stages possible)
International visitors wanting to experience Norwegian medieval history
E-bike riders — the terrain is ideal for e-bikes