The Challenge Beitostølen — complete guide (90 km, 2000 hm)

Why The Challenge is special

"Among Norway's most beautiful cycling tours" — that is the official description from Visit Valdres. These are not empty words.

The Challenge combines four of Valdres' finest mountain sides in a continuous loop that takes you from Beitostølen (900 moh), up over exposed mountain terrain, down into deep valleys and up again — repeatedly. You ride through the foothills of Jotunheimen with panoramic views towards Galdhøpiggen and Glittertind. You pass Eidsbugarden and the historic Bygdin boat route. You fight your way up climbs that deserve respect — and are rewarded with descents that justify all the effort.

This is not a ride for everyone. But for those who are ready, it is unforgettable.

Route details

The climbs — what you will face

The Challenge is structured around three to four major climbs depending on the variant. Here is what you can expect:

Climb 1: Beitostølen → Tyinkrysset

From the centre the route gradually rises towards the mountains. The first kilometres are moderate — around 3–5% — but the accumulated elevation gain is felt towards the end. The view over Valdres opens up behind you.

Length: Approx. 20 km Climbing: 400–500 hm Character: Steady and predictable asphalt with good opportunities to push the pace

Climb 2: Towards Eidsbugarden / Bygdin

Here the route is exposed and beautiful. You ride alongside high mountain lakes and look into Jotunheimen-kanten. Wind-exposed — check the forecast.

Length: 15–20 km Climbing: 300–400 hm Character: Open mountain landscape, can be tough in a headwind

Climb 3: Return towards Beitostølen via Øystre Slidre

The final major climb hits you when your legs are tired. This is where the route earns its respect. Check your energy — and if you do not have it, find your way back early.

Length: 20–25 km with climbs Climbing: 600–800 hm total in varied terrain Character: Rolling, alternates between climbing and flat

Note: The exact routing of The Challenge varies somewhat — official Valdres maps show start points from Tyinkrysset, Eidsbugarden and Beitostølen. All three give 90 km variants with 2000 hm+.

Season and weather

The Challenge is ridden June–September. The ideal months are July and August when all asphalt is free of snowdrifts and temperatures are stable.

Weather tips:

• The temperature at the top is 8–12 degrees lower than in Beitostølen — bring a winter jacket even in July.
• Check yr.no for Beitostølen and Valdresflye on the morning of your ride.
• Strong headwinds can make The Challenge an extreme challenge — plan your route with wind direction in mind.
• 6–9 hours means you may experience all kinds of weather. A rain jacket is mandatory.

Gear and packing list

For a route of this difficulty level you need:

Mandatory:

• Cycling computer or GPS with the route downloaded
• Minimum 2 × 750 ml water bottles — refill at Eidsbugarden/Bygdin
• Food for 6–9 hours: energy bars, gels and some real food
• Warm mid-layer and rain jacket — temperature at the top is unpredictable
• Phone with a fully charged battery — some sections have poor coverage
• Bike pump and puncture repair kit (a puncture alone in the mountains is no fun)

Recommended:

• Camera — you will regret it if you do not take photos here
• Sunscreen and sunglasses — high UV radiation above the tree line
• High-visibility clothing or reflector — visibility in fog and on narrow mountain roads

The Challenge vs. other demanding routes in Valdres

The Challenge is the absolute pinnacle of day rides in Valdres. Valdresflya is a single long climb — The Challenge combines four demanding mountain sides. See Over Valdresflya, Slettefjellrunden and all demanding routes for comparison.

By e-bike

With a good e-bike The Challenge is achievable for adults in moderate shape — the route is then classified as moderately demanding.

Practical tips for e-bike:

• Plan your battery level carefully — 90 km with 2000 hm requires a good battery reserve
• Average consumption: 40–60 Wh/km on demanding mountain routes = 3600–5400 Wh total
• Most e-bikes have 400–750 Wh — top up charging at Beitostølen and bring a powerbank
• lokal operatør Beitostølen and Intersport Beitostølen offer bike rental including e-bikes

Practical information

Parking: Beitostølen centre has free parking. Shops, bike workshop and cafés at the start.

Bike service: lokal operatør Beitostølen and Intersport Beitostølen offer service, rental and repairs during the season.

Accommodation: Beitostølen has broad accommodation capacity — from cabins and apartments to hotels. See accommodation for cyclists. Book early in peak season.

Food stops en route: Limited options on the route — plan your food intake carefully. At Eidsbugarden there is normally food and drink available during the season.

Who is The Challenge for?

✅ Right for you if you:

• Cycle regularly (3+ times per week)
• Have experience with routes over 60 km
• Are comfortable with mountain weather and unpredictable conditions
• Are prepared for 6–9 hours in the saddle

❌ Not suitable for:

• Beginners or occasional cyclists
• Those who are not comfortable with long exposures in the mountains
• Children (on a regular bike)

Training preparation — 8-week build-up

The Challenge requires systematic preparation. You do not need to be a professional — but you need to have built volume and climbing experience over time.

Climbing-specific training: The Beitostølen–Valdresflya interval climb (12 km, 350 hm) is perfect for hill repetitions. Do 3–4 repetitions in weeks 5–7 if you are in the area.

Nutrition in training: Practise eating and drinking during hard efforts. The stomach needs training as much as the legs — many riders bonk on The Challenge because they have not practised fuelling while climbing.

Bail-out options and shortcuts

Even well-trained cyclists can hit the wall. Weather, mechanical failure or an energy crisis can force you to cut the ride short. Plan your escape routes before you start.

Rule of thumb: Assess your energy level at Eidsbugarden (approximately halfway). If you have used more than 60% of your strength, consider turning back. The final third is the toughest — tired legs + climbing + potentially worse weather.

Headwind strategy: Check yr.no Beitostølen and Filefjell for wind direction. If possible, plan to have the wind at your back on the longest exposed section. Strong headwinds at 1000+ moh can double your time on certain stretches.

Nutrition Strategy — Hour by Hour Through The Challenge

Most people who bonk on The Challenge don't fail because their legs give up — they fail because their stomach does. Nine hours in the saddle with 2000 meters of climbing requires systematic refueling. If you wait until you're hungry, it's already too late.

What to carry in your pockets:

• 4–5 energy bars (vary flavors — after 6 hours everything tastes the same)
• 3–4 gels (include one caffeine gel for hour 5–6)
• 1 banana (eat it early — it won't survive the whole ride)
• 1 sandwich in a plastic bag
• Salt tablets or electrolyte powder — you sweat more than you think in the mountains
• Emergency chocolate — it melts, but works as a last resort

Hydration: Minimum 750 ml per hour during activity. With two bottles (1.5 l), you must refill at Eidsbugarden. If you only have one bottle, that's not enough — buy an extra or bring a hydration pack.

The most common mistake: Eating too little in the first 3 hours because it feels fine. The energy deficit hits 2–3 hours after you stopped eating enough. Start early, eat steadily, never skip an hour.

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With Friends — Group Strategy for The Challenge

The Challenge in a group is better than solo — but only if you plan for fitness differences. Nothing kills the mood faster than the strongest rider waiting impatiently at the summit while the weakest feels like a burden at the bottom.

The three-level strategy:

For groups with clearly different fitness levels (e.g., two who train 5×/week and two who do Sunday rides), split deliberately on climbs:

1. Fast group — holds their pace uphill, waits at the top. Stretches, eats, takes photos. Don't ride back down to "collect" — that just doubles the elevation for them.
2. Social group — rides flats and descents together. Chatting, snacking, shared meals as the bonding experience.
3. Support crew — the strongest rider keeps pace with the weakest on the toughest climbs. Mentally invaluable to have someone ahead of you.

Practical group planning:

• Set a shared food break at Eidsbugarden regardless — that half hour is the social core of the ride
• Share emergency gear — pump with one, tools with another, spare tube with a third
• Clarify the bail-out threshold in advance: "If anyone hasn't reached Eidsbugarden by 14:00, we consider cutting the route"

Strava etiquette: Agreed or not — The Challenge in a group is about the experience, not KOM times. If someone wants to chase segments, say it up front and let them go. The rest ride their own ride.