Gear for cycling in Valdres — complete packing list
Everything you need to bring on a cycling trip in Valdres. Packing list for day rides, multi-day routes and Mjølkevegen — adapted for mountains and gravel roads.
Valdres offers everything from flat family routes to 250 km gravel marathons. What you need varies considerably — here is the packing list adapted to the different trip lengths.
Day ride (under 60 km)
What do you need for a day ride in Valdres?
For a day ride in Valdres, a helmet, cycling clothing, 2–3 water bottles, energy food, puncture repair kit and a light wind jacket are sufficient. Be prepared for rapid weather changes above 900 m.
Essential:
- Helmet (mandatory under 15 years, recommended for all)
- Cycling shorts with padding — reduces chafing on long rides
- Cycling shoes or shoes with a stiff sole
- 2 × 750 ml water bottles or CamelBak (min. 1.5 litres in warm weather)
- Energy food: 1–2 Clif Bars or equivalent per hour
- Patch kit + CO2 cartridge or manual pump
- 2 × spare tubes (correct valve type and size)
- Bandage and ibuprofen (at minimum for mountain routes)
Recommended:
- Light wind jacket (packs down to nothing, weighs 150–200 g)
- Cycling glasses — sun, wind and gravel
- Cycling computer or Garmin with maps
- Mobile phone with offline maps (Maps.me or Komoot)
- Cash: 200–300 kr (some cafés do not accept cards)
Multi-day ride / Beitostølen trip (60–150 km)
Everything from the day ride, plus:
Clothing:
- 2 × cycling shorts (never just one — one is always wet)
- 2–3 × cycling jerseys
- Warm merino wool long sleeve (evenings and high mountain)
- Rain jacket with underarm vents (not just wind protection)
- Cycling shoes + extra socks
- Gloves (lightweight model, + warm model for the mountains)
Bike:
- Saddle bag (10–15 litres) or bikepacking bags
- Dynamo/USB charger for cycling computer and lights
- Spare tyre (Valdres gravel is hard on tyres)
- Chain lube + cloth
Mjølkevegen and multi-day routes (250 km, 4–5 days)
What do you pack for Mjølkevegen?
On Mjølkevegen you need bikepacking bags (12–20 litres total), sleeping bag and sleeping pad if you camp, 3 days of clothing to rotate, and a spare tyre. The mountain lodges along the route serve dinner and breakfast — no need to carry food.
Bike and bags:
- Handlebar bag (5–8 litres) — sleeping bag, down jacket here
- Frame bag (4–6 litres) — food, tools, spare tubes
- Saddle bag (10–16 litres) — clothing, toiletries
- Total weight including bike: 16–22 kg is realistic
Accommodation (if not always at a mountain lodge):
- Ultralight tent or bivy (under 1.5 kg)
- Sleeping bag rated to 5°C or colder (mountain nights can be cold even in August)
- Sleeping pad (inflatable, R-value 2+)
Food and water:
- Water filter pen (Sawyer or LifeStraw) — many streams along the route
- 1,500–2,000 kcal/day extra for active cycling
- Emergency ration: freeze-dried food for 1 day (mountain lodges can be fully booked)
Tools — always carry
Recommended gear for Valdres terrain
Bike type:
- Gravel: 38–45 mm tyres. Tubeless recommended on gravel roads.
- Road: 28–32 mm is sufficient for most paved routes
- MTB: Hardtail is fine for Mjølkevegen, full suspension for Trail Arena
Tyres: Valdres gravel roads are relatively well maintained, but rocks and loose gravel occur. Avoid narrow racing tyres (under 32 mm) on gravel routes. Piraña or Schwalbe G-One are popular choices.
Clothing by temperature:
- Below 900 m, summer: 15–22°C — standard cycling clothing
- Above 900 m: subtract 5–8°C — wind can make it cold even when the sun is shining
- Morning/evening in the mountains: down to 5°C in August
Printable checklist PDF coming soon. Follow along for new guides and seasonal updates.