Tisleidalen Cycling Guide

Tisleidalen is Valdres' quiet valley gem — a long, narrow dale stretching southwest from Fagernes towards Golsfjellet. The river Tisle flows through birch forests and summer farms, season after season, without too many people taking notice. That's what makes it a good place to cycle.

What are the best cycling routes in Tisleidalen?

Tisleidalen has 10+ cycling routes from 4 to 51 km. Family favourites: Kjærlighetsstien (4 km return, car-free), Fløafjorden (22 km, easy), Pardisrunden (18 km, moderate). For experienced riders: Tansbergrunden (35 km, 850–1000 m mountain roads) and Tisleifjorden Circuit (38 km, gravel). Season May–October.

Tisleidalen: What Makes It Unique for Cycling?

Tisleidalen is not Mjølkevegen. There's no national cycling route, no stage guides and no tourist brochures with big pictures. It's simply a valley with:

Quiet gravel roads with almost no car traffic
Forest roads and mountain farm tracks from 400 to 1000 m elevation
Tisleifjorden — an elongated lake surrounded by forest and mountains
Bjørkestølen Camping and Noraker Farm with café along the route
Some of Valdres' best family routes without requiring mountain experience

Tisleidalen borders Golsfjellet to the southwest and is a natural starting point for routes towards Tisleifjorden and the high mountain pastures.

Routes in Tisleidalen

1. Kjærlighetsstien (4 km return, easy, family)

The shortest and most charming route. From Ormhamar bridge you follow the Tisle river southward through birch forest to Bjørkestølen Camping. Flat, car-free and safe for children's bikes from age 3 and up. Perfect for an evening ride after dinner — return is the same way.

Start: Ormhamar bridge
Elevation gain: 20 m
Surface: Gravel and path
Suitable for: All ages, child trailers, e-bikes

2. Fløafjorden by Bike (22 km, easy, family)

A simple and popular family ride from Tisleidalen northward along Fløafjorden. With a short detour to Noraker Farm — café and farm shop — midway along the route. Flat to gently undulating terrain.

Elevation gain: 120 m
Surface: Asphalt and gravel
Suitable for: Families, beginners, e-bikes

See Fløafjorden Family Route for the full route description.

3. Pardisrunden (18 km, moderate, gravel/family)

A fine and varied loop through undulating terrain with water and forest in Tisleidalen. Partly good gravel road, partly county road. Moderately challenging for families with some experience. Starts and finishes in Tisleidalen centre.

Elevation gain: 280 m
Surface: Gravel and asphalt
Suitable for: Families with off-road experience, gravel, e-bikes

See Pardisrunden for the full route description.

4. Tisleifjorden Circuit (38 km, moderate, gravel)

Classic gravel loop around Tisleifjorden in the Golsfjellet area. The route crosses from Valdres into the Hallingdal fringe and offers fine viewpoints over the lake. Technically straightforward, but requires endurance over longer gravel sections.

Elevation gain: 380 m
Surface: Gravel (majority)
Suitable for: Gravel riders, experienced family cyclists

See Tisleifjorden Circuit for the full route description.

5. Tansbergrunden (35 km, moderate, gravel)

A beautiful but lesser-known loop on gently rolling mountain farm roads from 850 to 1000 m elevation. Great views towards Tisleifjorden and Golsfjellet. One of the Tisleidalen routes that gives you the mountain pasture landscape without the steep climbs from the valley floor.

Elevation gain: 500 m
Surface: Mountain farm road, gravel
Suitable for: Experienced cyclists, gravel, e-bikes on the flat version

See Tansbergrunden for the full route description.

Season in Tisleidalen

Period	Status	What you can ride
April–May	Early season	Kjærlighetsstien, Fløafjorden (snow-free in the valley)
June–September	Peak season	All routes open, mountain tracks cleared
October	Autumn	Valley floor open, some mountain roads close

Kjærlighetsstien is technically accessible year-round (low elevation, minimal snow).

Cycling with Children in Tisleidalen — Age-Specific Tips

Tisleidalen is one of the safest cycling areas in Valdres for children. But age determines what works.

Toddlers (2–4): Kjærlighetsstien is the only one you need. Flat gravel path along the river, no cars, turnaround at both ends. Bring a fishing rod — the Tisle has trout.

Active kids (5–7): The Fløafjorden route has wide road and little traffic. Noraker Farm is the perfect mid-stop — ice cream and juice, toilets, and a farm to explore. Start early — kids this age need breaks every 20 minutes.

Independent riders (8–11): Pardisrunden requires the child to handle some hills and 2–3 hours in the saddle. The reward is varied terrain and the feeling of having done "something real". Remember that 280 m spread over 18 km is never steep — just a steady incline.

Teenagers (12+): Tisleifjorden Circuit is a proper day trip. Pack lunch, bring repair tools and let them navigate on their own with a map. The mountain farm roads around the lake are car-free and build confidence.

Tips for all ages:

Start from Fagernes and ride into Tisleidalen — then the return is an easy downhill
Bjørkestølen Camping has a playground — perfect mid-ride break
Bring insect repellent June–July, especially along the river

Combine Tisleidalen with Golsfjellet — 2-Day Plan

Tisleidalen is a natural gateway to Golsfjellet. With two days you can cover both the valley floor and the heights.

Day 1: Tisleidalen — Get to Know the Valley

Drive or ride from Fagernes to Tisleidalen. Start with the Fløafjorden route (22 km) for a warm-up, or go straight to Pardisrunden (18 km) for more undulating terrain. Finish with Kjærlighetsstien as a relaxed evening ride. Stay at Bjørkestølen Camping.

Day 2: Golsfjellet — Up into the Mountain Pastures

From Tisleidalen you climb southwest towards Golsfjellet and the mountain farm roads at 800–1000 m. Tansbergrunden (35 km) gives the best effort-to-scenery ratio. Alternative: Tisleifjorden Circuit (38 km) which stays lower but gives a longer ride.

For families: Day 1 Kjærlighetsstien + Fløafjorden, Day 2 Pardisrunden. Total 44 km over two days — manageable for children 7+.

For experienced riders: Day 1 Pardisrunden + Tansbergrunden (53 km), Day 2 Golsfjellet routes (40–50 km). The mountain pasture landscape above the treeline on day 2 is the reward.

Transport: Fagernes has bus service to Gol — you can put your bike on the bus and do one section as point-to-point.

Practical Information

Starting point: Fagernes is the nearest town with a supermarket, bike workshop and accommodation — 10–15 km north of Tisleidalen centre.

Bike rental: See bike rental Valdres — rental locations in Fagernes and Beitostølen.

Accommodation: Bjørkestølen Camping in Tisleidalen. Cabin and hotel options in Fagernes.

Food en route: Noraker Farm with café on the Fløafjorden route. Remember to bring packed lunch on longer rides.

Tisleidalen Cycling Guide — Routes and Tips for Valdres