Cycling Calendar Valdres 2026: dates and events
Complete overview of cycling events in Valdres summer 2026 — Valdresrittet, Hallingrittet, Mjølkevegen packages and more. Plan your summer now.
Which cycling events are there in Valdres in summer 2026?
Valdresrittet is the biggest: 18 July 2026 at Vaset Stadion (53 km / 932 hm). Hallingrittet at Golsfjellet is normally held in early July. Mjølkevegen offers guided package tours throughout the season (June–September). Valdres Food Festival in Fagernes is planned for August.
Valdres has more to offer than beautiful mountain pasture roads. Get summer 2026 organised — here is everything you need to know about this year's events, registration and what sets them apart.
Valdresrittet — 18 July 2026
The largest cycling race in Valdres by far. Start and finish at Vaset Stadion, 53 km with 932 metres of climbing through the mountain pasture landscape of Vestre Slidre.
Valdresrittet is the cycling leg of Valdrestrippelen — a three-discipline event that also includes Valdresrennet (cross-country skiing) and Valdresløpet. But the race can be entered on its own, without doing all three.
What makes this race special? The course is not just a cycling race — it is a little adventure loop through active mountain farms, along alpine lakes and into some of the most fun singletrack in Valdres. Halfway through (at km 24, Syndinstøga) a feed station with refreshments awaits.
Classes and who it suits
The race has classes from children (age 10) to elite — and a Leisure class without timing for those who want to participate without performance pressure. The self-seeding system ensures you start with riders at your level: you enter your expected finish time and the system places you in the correct start wave.
Bonus: Valdresrittet is an official seeding race for Birkebeinerrittet (84 km) and Grenserittet. Finish on 18 July and you earn a seeding spot for both.
→ Read more: Valdresrittet 2026 — how to prepare → See the course: Valdresrittet route
Hallingrittet at Golsfjellet
Hallingrittet is a popular cycling race at Golsfjellet, normally held in early July. Storefjell Resort Hotel serves as the base. The route follows the same mountain pasture roads that Mjølkevegen cyclists use — a natural place to finish or start a Mjølkevegen tour.
Specific 2026 dates had not been published at editorial deadline. Check hallingrittet.no for updated information.
→ Golsfjellet Gravel — train the course in advance
Mjølkevegen — organised package tours
Mjølkevegen is not a race — it is a 250 km route through Valdres and Hallingdal. But during the season (June–September) you can book all-inclusive packages with:
- Accommodation at mountain lodges along the way
- Luggage transfer from stop to stop
- Guided start and maps
Packages typically open for booking in March–April. Book early if you have a week in July in mind — July weeks tend to sell out before May.
→ What is Mjølkevegen? → Mountain lodges along Mjølkevegen
Valdres Food Festival — August in Fagernes
Not a cycling race, but a perfect combination. Valdres Food Festival is held in Fagernes in August every year — local producers sell goat cheese, cured meats, herbs, honey and locally brewed beer.
Cycle into Fagernes, finish with the food festival and take the train home — that is a great day. Check valdresmatfestival.no for date and programme.
Offroad Valdres
A gravel and mountain bike race focused on gravel and mountain pasture roads. Held during the summer months — longer courses for experienced riders. Specific 2026 dates: check the organiser's channels as spring progresses.
Start planning now
March is the right time to book:
- Valdresrittet registration typically opens early in the year — check valdrestrippelen.no
- Mjølkevegen packages: book by April for the best availability in July
- Accommodation at Vaset: hotels and cabins around Vaset Stadion fill up fast around 18 July
- Training plan: 4 months to Valdresrittet is enough time to build solid fitness — see training plan here
Good season — see you on the start line.