---
title: "Støl Roads by Bike — Valdres' Original Gravel Routes"
description: "Explore Valdres' ancient støl roads by bike: gravel tracks to active mountain farms with local food, mountain panoramas and zero traffic."
type: guide
category: ruter
tags: [gravel, stoler, seterveier, kultur, mat, valdres]
date: "2026-03-12"
relatedRoutes: [jotunheimvegen-rundtur, stolsvidda-gravelrunde, stolsvidda-setertur, nordre-fjellstolrunden, slidre-ulnes-grusveier]
relatedPlaces: [stolsvidda, vaset, beitostolen, slidre-dalen]
---

# Støl Roads by Bike — Valdres' Original Gravel Routes

Long before anyone invented "gravel cycling", Valdres had a network of gravel roads connecting the valleys to the mountain farms. The støl roads were built to carry milk, butter and cheese down from the summer farms — today they are some of Norway's finest cycling experiences.

<AnswerBox question="What are støl roads, and can you cycle them?" answer="Støl roads are old gravel tracks between the valley farms and the mountain summer farms (støls) in Valdres. Most are 10–30 km long, with steady climbing and well-compacted gravel surfaces. Many støl roads are open for cycling June–September, and several active farms sell brown cheese, sour cream and flatbread directly to passing cyclists." />

---

## Why Støl Roads Are Perfect for Cycling

<StatGrid stats={[
  { label: "Typical length", value: "10–30 km", sub: "One way from valley to mountain farm" },
  { label: "Elevation gain", value: "300–600 hm", sub: "Steady and gradual — rarely steep" },
  { label: "Surface", value: "Compact gravel", sub: "Maintained for farm operations" },
  { label: "Traffic", value: "Almost none", sub: "Only farmers and cyclists" },
  { label: "Season", value: "June–September", sub: "Farming activity approx. 20 June – 20 August" },
  { label: "Food en route", value: "Local farm food", sub: "Brown cheese, sour cream, flatbread, coffee" }
]} columns={3} />

Støl roads have everything a gravel cyclist dreams of: compact gravel, steady climbing, zero traffic and a reward at the top in the form of freshly made flatbread and homemade brown cheese. Valdres has Norway's most active støl culture, with over 100 active summer farms practising traditional farming every summer.

---

## The Best Støl Road Routes in Valdres

### 1. Stølsvidda — the Støl Road Between Vaset and Beitostølen

**[Stølsvidda gravelrunde](/ruter/stolsvidda-gravelrunde)** | 35 km | 420 hm | Moderate

Stølsvidda is the very heart of Valdres' støl culture. The gravel road between [Vaset](/omrade/vaset) and [Beitostølen](/omrade/beitostolen) passes several active summer farms where you can buy fresh sour cream, brown cheese and coffee. The terrain is open high mountain landscape at 900–1100 m above sea level with views in all directions.

**Tip:** Cycle in July for the best selection of farm food — most farms sell from midsummer to mid-August.

### 2. Jotunheimvegen — the Støl Road Towards Norway's Roof

**[Jotunheimvegen rundtur](/ruter/jotunheimvegen-rundtur)** | 42 km | 500 hm | Moderate

From Bygdin tourist lodge, this route follows what was originally the main road for summer farming in the mountain area towards Jotunheimen. Active farms along the route sell brown cheese and local food directly. The views towards Galdhøpiggen and Glittertind are constant.

### 3. Nordre Fjellstølrunden — Sør-Aurdal's Hidden Gem

**[Nordre Fjellstølrunden](/ruter/nordre-fjellstolrunden)** | 28 km | 380 hm | Moderate

Gravel roads up to the mountain farms in the northern part of [Sør-Aurdal](/omrade/sor-aurdal). Quiet farm tracks through birch forest and out onto open mountain plateaus. Fewer cyclists than Stølsvidda — for those who want the solitude.

### 4. Stølsvidda Setertur — the Short and Family-Friendly Option

**[Stølsvidda setertur](/ruter/stolsvidda-setertur)** | 30 km | 350 hm | Moderate

Shorter variant of the Stølsvidda loop with a focus on farm visits. Start from Vaset and cycle into Stølsvidda with stops at 2–3 active farms. Perfect half-day ride for children who are used to cycling.

### 5. Slidre–Ulnes Gravel Roads — Cultural Landscape Along the Fjord

**[Slidre–Ulnes grusveier](/ruter/slidre-ulnes-grusveier)** | 20 km | 250 hm | Easy

Not a mountain støl road, but an old rural track along [Slidrefjorden](/omrade/slidre-dalen) that tells the same story: roads built for farming, now perfect for cycling. Flat enough for beginners, with cultural landscapes and stone walls.

---

## Støl Culture — What You'll Encounter Along the Way

Valdres is one of the few regions in Norway where støl culture is still alive. From around midsummer (24 June) to mid-August, many farms are run exactly as they were a hundred years ago:

- **Brown cheese** — cooked from whey of goat's milk, the Valdres brown cheese is legendary
- **Sour cream** — thick, yellow, fresh — a different world from the supermarket version
- **Flatbread** — baked on a griddle, often served with butter and sugar
- **Coffee** — filter coffee the old-fashioned way, often served outdoors

Most farms have no fixed opening hours. Ride up, see if anyone is home, and ask politely. Cash or Vipps — not everyone has card payment.

---

## Støl Roads on an E-Bike — the Smart Ascent

Støl roads climb steadily from the valley floor (300–400 m above sea level) to the mountain farms (800–1100 m above sea level). That means 300–600 metres of elevation gain over 10–20 km — manageable for most, but tough with luggage or into the wind.

An e-bike makes støl roads accessible to everyone. Some tips:

- **Range:** Expect 40–60 km on a full battery with støl road climbing. Eco mode lasts longer, but you'll feel it in your thighs
- **Tyres:** Minimum 40 mm — the gravel surface is good, but looser at the edges and after rain
- **Charging:** No charging points along the way — charge fully before you start. Some farm owners have a power outlet, but don't count on it
- **Weight:** E-bikes are heavy (20–25 kg). Avoid carrying the bike over streams — find the route where there's a bridge or ford
- **Rental:** [Rent a bike in Valdres](/guider/leie-sykkel-valdres) has an overview of e-bike rental in Beitostølen, Vaset and Fagernes

E-bike + støl road = perfect for couples where one is stronger than the other. You arrive at the farms at the same time, and enjoy the food together.

---

## GPS and Navigation — Finding Your Way to the Støl

Støl roads are not always signposted. They are working roads, not hiking trails, and many cannot be found on Google Maps. Here's how to navigate:

- **[ut.no/kart](https://ut.no/kart)** — best free map for støl roads in Valdres. Shows gravel roads and tracks not found in other maps. Download offline maps before your trip
- **Norgeskart.no** — topographic map with all støl roads. Good backup
- **Komoot** — many støl roads have been added with GPS tracks by other cyclists. Search for "Valdres gravel" or "stølsvei"
- **Garmin/Wahoo** — download GPX files from the route pages here on sykkelvaldres.no and transfer to your bike computer

**Important:** Støl roads branch. The main road to the farm is always the widest — narrower branches lead to individual farms or end in dead ends. When in doubt: follow the wheel tracks. Tractors use the main road daily during summer.

Mobile coverage is variable above 800 m. Download maps offline and tell someone where you are cycling.

---

## Practical Information for Støl Road Cycling

### Bike Choice
A gravel bike with 35–45 mm tyres is ideal. Støl roads are well maintained — you don't need a mountain bike. A road bike with 28+ mm tyres works on the flattest sections, but narrow tyres struggle on gravel.

### Season
Støl roads are snow-free from June, but the best experience is **mid-June to mid-August** — that's when the farms are staffed and you can buy food. After 20 August, most farms are abandoned for the season.

### Equipment
- Windproof jacket — the farms sit at 800–1100 m above sea level, and the wind cools you quickly
- Cash/Vipps for purchasing farm food
- Packed lunch and water — don't count on food between farms

### Transport
Most støl road routes start from [Beitostølen](/omrade/beitostolen), [Vaset](/omrade/vaset) or [Fagernes](/omrade/fagernes). See [the transport guide](/guider/transport-oslo-valdres-sykkel) for buses and trains from Oslo.

---

## Combine With Mjølkevegen

[Mjølkevegen](/ruter/mjolkevegen) — Norway's most well-known gravel route — follows precisely the støl roads through Valdres. The 250 km route from Vinstra to Gol is essentially one continuous støl road. Read [Mjølkevegen stage plan](/guider/mjolkevegen-etappeplan) for day-by-day planning.

---

## Støl Roads and UNESCO — Cycling Through Living World Heritage

<StatGrid stats={[
  { label: "UNESCO status", value: "World Heritage 2024", sub: "Norwegian summer farming, intangible list" },
  { label: "Active farms in Valdres", value: "100+", sub: "Most in Northern Europe" },
  { label: "Farming season", value: "Approx. 20 June – 20 August", sub: "Varies with snowmelt" },
  { label: "Tradition", value: "1000+ years", sub: "Continuous use since the Viking Age" }
]} columns={2} />

In 2024, Norwegian summer farm culture was inscribed on UNESCO's list of intangible cultural heritage. Valdres is the very epicentre — no region in Northern Europe has more active summer farms. This means the støl roads you cycle are not just gravel routes: they are living cultural monuments.

The difference is tangible. Støl roads are maintained because they are used — by farmers transporting milk, cheese and animals between valley and mountain. The gravel is compact because tractors drive there daily in summer. The roads are wide enough because herds of cattle need space. All of this makes them ideal for cycling, without it ever having been the intention.

When you stop at an active farm and buy brown cheese directly from the person who made it, you are participating in a tradition that now has world heritage status. It is a rare combination: physical activity, nature experience and cultural heritage — all in one trip.

**Tip:** Show respect for the farm operations. Close gates behind you, give grazing animals space, and keep your speed low past farms. You are a guest in a living cultural landscape.

---

## Considerations and Rules — Cycling on Støl Roads

Støl roads are working roads, not cycling paths. You are welcome, but on the farmers' terms. Follow these rules:

<StatGrid stats={[
  { label: "Gates", value: "Always close", sub: "Open gates = escaped animals" },
  { label: "Grazing animals", value: "Stop, pass slowly", sub: "Never cycle straight through the herd" },
  { label: "Dogs", value: "On lead 1 April – 20 August", sub: "Applies throughout the wilderness" },
  { label: "Speed", value: "Slow down near farms", sub: "Children, animals and farm machinery" },
  { label: "Waste", value: "Take everything with you", sub: "No bins at the farms" },
  { label: "Motor vehicles", value: "Farmers only", sub: "You have no right to motorised access" }
]} columns={3} />

### Grazing Animals — the Most Important Consideration

From June to September, thousands of cows, sheep and goats graze along the støl roads. Most are peaceful, but respect their space:

- **Cows with calves** — keep a good distance. Mothers can become defensive. Dismount and walk the bike calmly past
- **Sheep** — flight animals that run unpredictably. Slow down and let them get out of the way
- **Goats** — curious and fearless. Usually stay calm, but may stand in the middle of the road
- **Cattle on the road** — stop completely, wait for them to pass. Never ring a bell or shout — it frightens them

### Right of Access and Støl Roads

Støl roads are private roads. The right of access allows you to travel on them on foot and by bike, but not by motor vehicle. Be humble — you are using someone else's working road. A smile and a friendly nod to the farmer means more than you might think.

---

## Cycling + Farm Visits = Valdres' Best Combination

There is no better way to experience støl culture than from the saddle. You travel slowly enough to take in the landscape, fast enough to cover the distance between farms, and hungry enough to appreciate a fresh flatbread with sour cream.

Start with [Stølsvidda gravelrunde](/ruter/stolsvidda-gravelrunde) if you are new to the area. Extend to [Jotunheimvegen](/ruter/jotunheimvegen-rundtur) or [Mjølkevegen](/ruter/mjolkevegen) when you want more.

<SeAlso items={[
  { href: "/guider/gravel-sykling-valdres-komplett-guide", label: "Complete gravel guide for Valdres" },
  { href: "/guider/mjolkevegen-alt-du-trenger-a-vite", label: "Mjølkevegen — everything you need to know" },
  { href: "/guider/sesong-valdres-sykkel", label: "Season in Valdres — when do the støl roads open?" },
  { href: "/guider/overnatting-syklister-valdres", label: "Accommodation on the farm roads" },
  { href: "/guider/bikepacking-valdres", label: "Bikepacking in Valdres — sleep outdoors at the farms" },
  { href: "/ruter/stolsvidda-gravelrunde", label: "Stølsvidda gravel loop — 57 km" },
  { href: "/ruter/mjolkevegen", label: "Mjølkevegen — 250 km national cycling paradise" },
  { href: "/guider/vaset-sykkelguide", label: "Vaset cycling guide — gravel and Panoramavegen" },
  { href: "/omrade/golsfjellet", label: "Golsfjellet — home of the støl roads" },
  { href: "/guider/elsykkel-valdres-guide", label: "E-bike on the støl roads — tips guide" },
  { href: "/guider/leie-sykkel-valdres", label: "Rent a bike in Valdres" },
  { href: "/ruter", label: "All 579 cycling routes in Valdres" }
]} />