SykkelValdres

Cycling + hiking in Valdres — bike & hike

Combine cycling and mountain hiking in Valdres. Bike to the trailhead, lock up and head to the summit. 5 concrete itineraries.

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Cycling + hiking in Valdres — bike & hike

The car park is full. The shuttle bus is booked out. But you have a bike — and suddenly the whole mountain is yours. Bike & hike is about cycling to the trailhead, locking up your bike and heading to the summit. In Valdres this works unusually well: short distances between valley and mountain, gravel roads leading straight to the starting point, and mountain peaks with views across half of southern Norway.

Can you combine cycling and hiking in Valdres?

Yes — Valdres is ideal for bike & hike. Cycle to Bitihorn from Beitostølen (14 km), lock up and walk 1.5 hours to 1607 masl. Or cycle Tyin–Eidsbugarden (18 km gravel road) and continue on foot towards the Besseggen ridge. Short distances mean you can reach the summit the same day.

Why bike & hike in Valdres?

Valdres has a quality most cycling regions lack: the transition from rideable road to mountain trail happens gradually. You cycle a gravel road up the valley, the trail begins where the gravel road ends, and the summit is rarely more than 1–2 hours' walk away.

That means:

  • You avoid the fight for parking spaces at popular trailheads
  • You get your legs warmed up before the mountain hike
  • You cover more terrain than with car + walk
  • The overall experience — valley, mountain, summit — becomes more connected

5 concrete bike & hike itineraries

1. Bitihorn from Beitostølen (1607 masl)

The classic. Bitihorn is Valdres' most accessible summit hike, and the cycling road there is an experience in itself.

Cycling leg: Follow the gravel road south-west from Beitostølen centre towards Bitihorn. The road is wide and well maintained, but the climb is steady — allow 45–60 minutes by bike. Lock your bike at the road end where the T-marking begins.

Walking leg: Marked trail all the way. The final 200 metres of elevation gain are steep but well paved with stone. From the summit (1607 masl) you can see Jotunheimen, Valdresflya and Beitostølen in a sweeping panorama.

Tip: Start early — before 09:00 you'll have the trail almost to yourself. Bring a lock for your bike and extra layers for the summit.

→ See the Bitihorn MTB route · Bitihorn gravel road loop

2. Eidsbugarden + Besseggen approach

Norway's most iconic mountain hiking experience — but with a bike instead of a bus to the starting point.

Cycling leg: From Tyinkrysset (Rv53) you cycle the beautiful gravel road along Tyin to Eidsbugarden. 18 km with moderate climbing, fine views across the lake and the Jotunheimen massifs in the background. The road is well maintained.

Walking leg: From Eidsbugarden you can continue towards Besseggen (requires a boat across Gjende to Memurubu), or take shorter summit hikes in the area. Uranaostind (1915 masl) is accessible directly from Eidsbugarden.

Important: The Besseggen hike requires an early start and careful planning. The bike & hike version works best as a two-day trip with overnight accommodation at Eidsbugarden.

→ See Tyin–Eidsbugarden gravel road

3. Langsua national park from Etnedal

A quieter option — forest terrain and a national park atmosphere without high-altitude exposure.

Cycling leg: From Bruflat in Etnedal follow the gravel road north-west towards Langsua national park. Quiet forest roads with a gradual climb. The terrain is green, moist and peaceful.

Walking leg: From the road end you quickly enter the national park. Here you'll find DNT cabins (self-service) and a network of trails through birch forest and bog landscape. Perfect for those who prefer forest walks over exposed mountain summits.

Tip: Langsua sees far fewer visitors than Jotunheimen — which is exactly why it's so rewarding. Bring mosquito repellent in July.

→ See Bruflat–Langsua gravel loop · Etnedal cycling guide

4. Valdresflya — cycle up, hike the plateau

Cycling across Valdresflya is already a classic. But stop along the way and walk out onto the plateau — and you'll get the experience most people drive straight past.

The concept: Instead of cycling the full stretch non-stop, stop where the plateau opens up. Lean your bike against the roadside (lock it to a crash barrier or rocks) and walk out onto the plateau. Even 30 minutes on foot gives you silence and views you can never get from the road.

Specific stopping points:

  • Raubergstulen — traditional mountain farm with food service, trails onto the plateau from the car park
  • Highest point (1389 masl) — walk northward towards Sletterust, easy terrain
  • Bygdin bend — views down towards Bygdin and Jotunheimen

Tip: Wind-exposed terrain — keep a wind jacket in your saddle bag even on fine days. A temperature drop of 10°C from the valley floor is normal.

→ See Over Valdresflya · Valdresflya cycling guide

5. Filefjell — Kongevegen + summit hike

A historic gravel road as a cycling experience, with options for mountain summit detours.

Cycling leg: Kongevegen over Filefjell is one of Norway's most historic gravel roads — used by kings, pilgrims and traders for centuries. Today it's a fantastic cycling route with varied surfaces.

Walking leg: From the highest point on Filefjell you can walk to several mountain summits in the surrounding area. Trails are marked by DNT and Vang municipality.

Tip: Kongevegen combines cultural history with nature. Read up on the history before the trip — it makes the experience richer.

→ See Filefjell cycling guide · Vang–Tyinkrysset road

Lighter bike & hike — short walking legs for everyone

Not every bike & hike trip requires a summit and a six-hour day. Some of the best experiences come from a short walk of 20–45 minutes from the bike. Here are four itineraries where the cycling is the main event and the walk is the bonus.

Who is this for? Families with children, e-bike riders who want to stretch their legs, or people who want the mountain experience without spending the whole day. Hiking shoes are still a good idea — but light trainers work fine on these sections.

Tip: Combine with one of the longer cycling routes in the area. Stop mid-ride, walk for 30 minutes, and feel the difference between seeing the mountain from the road and standing in it.

Two-day bike & hike — overnight in the mountains

The bike & hike concept really comes into its own over two days. Cycle in, hike to the summit, sleep in the mountains, cycle out the next day. Here are three ready-made itineraries:

Packing for a two-day bike & hike

You need more than a saddle bag. A light bikepacking setup works well:

  • Handlebar/frame bag: Sleeping bag, sleeping mat (compressed)
  • Seat bag: Clothing, hiking shoes, wind jacket, buff
  • Frame bag: Two days' food, water filter or extra bottle
  • On your body: Waterproof jacket, light fleece

Weight tip: Keep total extra weight below 8 kg. Anything more makes the climbs significantly harder. Prioritise a light sleeping bag (comfort rating 5°C is fine for July–August) and leave behind anything you only might need.

DNT cabins: Self-service cabins in Langsua and Jotunheimen have beds, cooking equipment and basic food supplies (canned food, crispbread, coffee). You need a DNT key (order at dnt.no before the trip, or pick one up at the Fagernes tourist office). Price: approx. 300–500 NOK per night for members.

→ Bikepacking in Valdres — complete guide · Accommodation for cyclists

Practical — bike & hike in Valdres

Equipment

You need a little more than on a regular cycling trip:

  • Bike lock — a simple cable lock is sufficient (low theft risk in the mountains, but wind can topple an unlocked bike)
  • Saddle bag with extra layers, wind jacket, packed lunch
  • Light hiking shoes — don't hike up the mountain in cycling shoes. Pack hiking shoes in a light backpack or strap them to a rear rack
  • Map/GPS — mobile coverage is unreliable above the tree line

Season

Most bike & hike itineraries work from July to September. Low-altitude routes (Etnedal, Langsua) can start as early as June. Check snow conditions via senorge.no before trips above 1200 masl.

Safety

  • Tell someone where you are going — mobile coverage is limited
  • Be prepared for rapid weather changes above the tree line
  • Start early enough to be back down before dark
  • The Norwegian Mountain Code applies — turn back in time

→ Read more about safety on cycling trips in Valdres

Plan your bike & hike

Bike & hike is the ultimate way to experience Valdres — you get the physical challenge, the visual reward and the quiet solitude that only the mountains can offer. Start with Bitihorn if you're a beginner. Try Eidsbugarden for a two-day adventure. Or simply stop halfway across Valdresflya, set your bike down and walk.

The mountains are waiting. All you need is two wheels and two legs.

→ See all cycling routes in Valdres · Beitostølen cycling guide · Getting to Valdres

See also

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