Cycling with a Campervan in Valdres

Can I use a campervan as a cycling base in Valdres?

Yes — Valdres has several campervan parking areas with great cycling routes right outside the door. Beitostølen, Fagernes and Vaset are the best starting points with facilities, dump stations and varied routes in all directions.

Campervan + bike = Valdres at its best

Campervan and cycling is a natural combination in Valdres. You park, unload the bikes, and have mountain routes in all directions. No hotel booking, no luggage transport — just freedom to follow the weather and your mood.

Here are the best bases and routes for those arriving on wheels.

Best campervan bases in Valdres

Beitostølen — versatile and central

Beitostølen has campervan parking in the centre with electricity and a dump station. From here you reach:

Mjølkevegen northward towards the mountain farms — gravel from 15 to 65 km
Trail Arena for MTB — signposted trail network with varying difficulty
Valdresflya from the south — 22 km climb to 1,389 m on asphalt

Grocery store, bike service and cafés within walking distance. Season: June–September.

Fagernes — the valley's hub

Fagernes has campervan parking by Valdres Folk Museum and along Strandefjorden. Advantages:

Flat cycling along Strandefjorden — perfect for families
Starting point for Valdresbanen cycle path towards Leira
Closest to shopping and services of all bases
Short distance to Slidredalen with quiet gravel roads

Vaset — high mountains and tranquillity

Vaset sits at 900 m with campervan parking at Vasetsenteret. From here:

Panoramavegen — 42 km with views of Jotunheimen
Gravel towards Stølsvidda and the mountain farm areas
Quieter than Beitostølen, fewer people, more nature

Golsfjellet — Mjølkevegen from the south

Golsfjellet has several campervan sites along Rv51. Perfect for:

Mjølkevegen stages 3–4 as day trips
Mountain farm loops on gravel
Combining with Hallingdal routes

Day routes from the campervan

Driving to Valdres with a campervan

From Oslo (3–4 hours)

Follow E16 via Hønefoss to Fagernes. The road is campervan-safe throughout, with some tunnels requiring attention. Alternative: RV4 via Gjøvik and over Leira — slightly longer but nicer views and fewer tunnels.

From Bergen (6–7 hours)

E16 via Lærdal and over Filefjell. You arrive in Valdres from the west — consider starting with Vaset or Filefjell as your first base.

From Trondheim (5–6 hours)

E6 south to Otta, then RV15/FV51 via Vinstra and into Espedalen. Perfect for starting with Mjølkevegen.

Practical tips for campervan cyclists

Bike transport

Most campervan users mount a bike rack on the back. Remember:

Check total weight — e-bikes weigh 20–25 kg each
Lock the bikes even at the parking area
Bring spare tubes and tools — the nearest bike shop may be far away

Power and charging

E-bikes need charging. Most campervan sites in Valdres have power connections. Charge overnight — a full charge gives 50–80 km range depending on terrain and wind. Without power: most e-bikes charge via standard outlets — bring an extension cord.

Fresh water and waste

Fill fresh water at the campervan sites in Fagernes, Beitostølen or Gol. Plan so you refill when changing base. Waste bins are available at all major parking areas.

Weather and season

Mountain roads in Valdres normally open in May–June. Check the season guide for exact dates. Weather can change quickly above 1,000 m — always carry a wind jacket and rain gear in your bike bag. Follow yr.no for local forecasts — "Beitostølen" and "Fagernes" give good point forecasts.

Dump stations

Fagernes, Beitostølen and Gol have dump stations for campervans. Plan your route to pass one every other day.

Overnight stays along the road

The right to roam allows you to park your campervan along public roads for up to 24 hours. For longer stays: use the dedicated campervan sites. Many mountain lodges also allow campervans in their car parks for a small fee — ask locally.

Recommended 5-day campervan route through Valdres

Day 1: Fagernes — Arrival, flat family route along Strandefjorden (15 km)
Day 2: Beitostølen — Drive to Beitostølen, cycle Mjølkevegen northward (30–55 km)
Day 3: Beitostølen — Valdresflya return or Trail Arena MTB
Day 4: Vaset — Drive to Vaset, Panoramavegen by bike (42 km)
Day 5: Golsfjellet — Mountain farm loop, waffles at the farm, return home via Gol

This plan offers variety in terrain, difficulty and experience — from flat family cycling to mountain passes.

Bike rental for campervan travellers

Not everyone has room for bikes on the campervan — especially with four family members. Fortunately, rental options exist in Valdres:

Beitostølen: Intersport Beitostølen rents both regular bikes and e-bikes in season. Book ahead in July.
Fagernes: Valdres Aktiv and local sports shops offer rentals. Check bike rental in Valdres for updated options.
Mjølkevegen: Several mountain lodges along the route have bikes for rent for guests and day-trippers.

The advantage of renting: you avoid weight issues on the bike rack, and you can choose the right bike type for the terrain — gravel for Mjølkevegen, MTB for Beitostølen Trail Arena, e-bike for Valdresflya.

Campervan cycling with kids — the family version

Campervan and kids is a winning combination. The children have their own base with bed, food and toys — and parents don't have to repack constantly. Some tips:

Choose routes by the youngest

Start with the shortest, flattest routes and adjust upward. Valdresbanen cycle path from Fagernes to Leira is 15 km of flat asphalt — perfect for children from age 6–7 on their own bike. For smaller children: bike trailer or child seat and flat gravel roads along Strandefjorden.

Plan stops with goals

Children cycle further when there's something to look forward to. Mountain farms with waffles, swimming in mountain lakes, or a playground. In Valdres, the farms along Mjølkevegen work perfectly — fresh brown cheese and pancakes mid-ride.

Use the campervan as a "support vehicle"

One adult can drive the campervan to the end of the route while the rest cycle. Especially useful for one-way routes like Mjølkevegen stages. Park at the endpoint, have dinner ready when the cyclists arrive.

Safety checklist

Helmet always — also on gravel roads
Reflective vest in tunnels (avoid tunnels with children if possible — use car-free routes)
Bring extra food and drink — children burn calories fast in the mountains
Check mobile coverage before longer rides — yr.no coverage map shows where you have signal

Rainy weather from the campervan — when the weather turns

The campervan's big advantage over hotels and tents: you can adapt plans in real time. Wake up to rain? Move the campervan to another part of Valdres — the weather can be completely different 30 km away.

Rule of thumb: Check yr.no for three places: Fagernes (valley floor), Beitostølen (mid-mountain) and Vaset (high mountain). At least one of them often has dry weather — drive there.

Drying in the campervan: Hang cycling clothes on a line between cabinet and door. Turn on the fan — most campervans have ventilation that draws out moisture. Cycling shoes: stuff with newspaper and set outside under the awning.

Campervan routes through Valdres — three ready-made plans

For those who want concrete suggestions, not just bases:

Tip for the week plan: Never drive more than 60 min between bases. Valdres is compact — even the longest stretch (Fagernes–Golsfjellet) takes under 90 minutes. Use short driving time to cycle more.

Dogs in the campervan: Many campervanners travel with dogs. Valdres is a dog paradise — check cycling with a dog in Valdres for routes and rules. Remember leash requirement 1 April – 20 August. Most campervan sites allow dogs.

Internal links

All cycling routes in Valdres — filter by area and difficulty
Cycling logistics in Valdres — parking, luggage, charging
Choose your cycling base in Valdres — comparison of all areas
E-bike in Valdres — everything about e-cycling in the region
Accommodation for cyclists — hotels, cabins and camping