Valdresbanen Cycle Path — complete guide

The Valdresbanen Cycle Path is perhaps Valdres' best family cycling destination: 15 kilometres of flat, car-free cycling on a historic railway line between Fagernes and Leira. Almost zero elevation gain. No cars. Nice rest stops. And a fascinating railway history for children to explore along the way.

For families with young children, beginners, and those who simply want to enjoy the ride without breaking a sweat — this is an unbeatable choice.

Updated: March 2026

Key facts

The history behind the route

Valdresbanen was a branch line from the Randsfjord Railway that opened in 1906 and closed in 1988. For nearly 100 years, the train carried people and goods through the Valdres valley. After closure, the line was gradually converted into a walking and cycling path — today one of the finest railway-based cycle paths in inland Norway.

Along the way you can still see traces of the past: old platforms, stone structures, and bridges that bear witness to the railway era. This adds an extra dimension to the ride, especially for children interested in trains and railways.

The route: Fagernes to Leira

Fagernes (starting point)

Start at Fagernes town centre, near Valdres Næringshage and the bus terminal. Free parking is available in the centre. Bike rental is available at Intersport Fagernes (approx. 350–500 NOK/day for gravel or hybrid bike).

Along the way (km 1–10)

The route is well signposted and easy to follow. You pass:

• Nedre Reinsvoll (approx. km 3) — old station building, nice rest stop with benches
• Bagn bridge (approx. km 7) — railway bridge over the Begna river with lovely views down the valley. Perfect for a picnic and photos
• Aurdal (approx. km 10) — small village with a shop and toilet

Leira (end point)

Leira is a small village with a grocery store. You can return the same way, or arrange a return by car/taxi (approx. 20 min drive).

Rest stops and stopping points

Practical information

Parking

• Fagernes town centre — free, 5 min walk to start
• Aurdal — parking at the sports ground
• Leira — street parking in the centre

Bike rental in Fagernes

Don't have a bike? Read our guide to bike rental in Valdres:

• Intersport Fagernes: gravel/hybrid bike 350–500 NOK/day
• Children's bikes and child seats available
• Advance booking recommended in peak season (July–August)

Transport

Valdresbanen is a single linear route — you start at one end and finish at the other. Two options:

1. There and back — cycle Fagernes → Leira → Fagernes (30 km, 2.5–3 h)
2. One way — leave a car at Leira, drive to Fagernes and cycle back (plan with the transport guide)

Child safety

• The route is 100% car-free along the railway line
• Surface is even gravel/asphalt — good for children's bikes and balance bikes
• No steep sections — safe for children down to age 4–5
• Remember helmets and hi-vis vests for visibility

Best time to visit

For season and opening dates for all routes: Read the Valdres season guide.

Tips from experienced cyclists

• Gravel or hybrid recommended over a road bike — the surface is good, but gravel gives more comfort
• Bring extra water — especially in July/August it can get hot in the valley with little shade
• Plan around Bagn bridge — stop here for lunch, it's the finest point on the route
• No map needed — the route is well signposted, but download the Valdres cycling map as a backup
• Combine with Fagernes — Fagernes town centre has great cafés for a start or finish treat

Combine with other routes

After Valdresbanen you're warmed up — and the Fagernes area has more to offer:

• Fagernes Flytstier — MTB trails right by Fagernes
• Aurdal Family Loop — 22 km easy family route
• Slidre-Lomen Cultural Trail — historic cultural route, perfect for the next day

Valdresbanen for different groups

Families with young children (ages 3–6)

Start in Fagernes and cycle to Nedre Reinsvoll (3 km). That's enough for the youngest — flat gravel path all the way, and the old station building is a natural turning point. Pack rolls and juice, sit on the bench at the station, and cycle back. Total 6 km, under an hour.

With a child seat or bike trailer you can do the whole stretch. The surface is even enough for trailers with wide tyres.

Beginners and recreational cyclists

The full route there and back (30 km) is a perfect introduction to cycling in Valdres. No hills to worry about, no car traffic to deal with. Once you've done Valdresbanen, you're ready for the Aurdal Family Loop or a gentle ride along Slidrefjorden.

Experienced cyclists

Use Valdresbanen as a warm-up or cool-down on a longer day. Start with the route in the morning, and combine with Aurdal–Tonsåsen for a proper training session with elevation afterwards.

The railway history along the way

Valdresbanen was more than a railway — it was the lifeline of all of Valdres for nearly a century. After opening in 1906, Fagernes was connected to the rest of Eastern Norway, and trade and tourism took off. Milk from the mountain farms, timber from the forests, and people heading to the mountains — everything went by rail.

Along the way you can see remnants of this era: stone foundations from bridges, rock cuttings through hillsides, and drainage ditches that still keep the route dry over a hundred years later. At Bagn bridge the original railway bridge is preserved — an impressive structure that now carries cyclists instead of trains.

For children who like trains and technology: explain that the route has exactly 15 per mille gradient — that was the maximum for steam locomotives of the time. That's why the path feels so pleasantly flat today.

Draisine ride on Valdresbanen — the railway lives on

Did you know that parts of the old Valdresbanen are still in use? Between Dokka and Hov, draisine rides run on the original tracks — a unique experience for those who want to combine railway history with an active holiday.

How to combine draisine and the Valdresbanen Cycle Path:

1. Day 1: Draisine ride Dokka–Hov (1.5 hours, relaxed pedalling on rails). Dokka is approx. 45 min drive from Fagernes.
2. Day 2: Cycle Fagernes–Leira on the Valdresbanen Cycle Path (15 km, flat gravel path).

For children this is gold: one day they pedal on real railway tracks, the next they cycle on the line where the train once ran. Two perspectives on the same history.

Railway facts children love:

• Valdresbanen opened as the "Landsbanen" in 1902 between Eina and Dokka
• Extended to Fagernes in 1906 — giving all of Valdres a railway connection
• Maximum gradient 15 per mille — that was the limit for steam locomotives of the time
• 12 bridges and 2 tunnels along the entire line
• 125 level crossings — every farmstead had its own crossing
• The last passenger train ran in 1988 — ask grandparents if they remember it!

Picnic along the route — what to bring and where to stop

One of Valdresbanen's great advantages is that you don't need to rush. The surface is flat, there are no cars, and the rest stops are evenly spaced. This makes it perfect for a proper picnic ride where the meal break is the highlight.

Packing list for the perfect Valdres picnic:

• Bread and toppings — brunost is mandatory. Goat's cheese from Valdres Meieri if you can find it.
• Fruit and nuts — easy to eat on the go, keeps energy levels up
• Thermos of hot chocolate (spring/autumn) or ice-cold lemon water (summer)
• Juice and biscuits for the children — the classic hiking combination
• Seat pad or small blanket — the railway benches are solid, but a pad makes the break last longer

Eating tip: Stop at Begna bridge (km 7) for the main meal. It's halfway, the views are lovely, and the preserved railway bridge gives plenty to talk about. For families with young children, Nedre Reinsvoll (km 3) is a safe turning point with a shorter 6 km round trip.

Summer bonus: In July and August, Aurdal (km 10) has a small ice cream bar. Perfect midway stop if you're cycling the full route.

Rainy weather along the route — when the grey skies roll in

Valdresbanen is one of the few routes in Valdres that actually works well in rainy weather. The narrow valley provides shelter from wind, the birch forest along much of the route keeps you relatively dry in light showers, and the compact gravel surface drains surprisingly well — even after a night of rain.

Shelter points along the route:

• Nedre Reinsvoll (km 3) — trees and old station building provide overhead cover
• Bagn bridge (km 7) — the bridge structure gives partial shelter, seating on both sides
• Aurdal (km 10) — shop with indoor seating, warm coffee

Rainy weather rule: Plan a shorter distance in rain. Fagernes → Aurdal return (20 km) is a good compromise route — you get the bridge section and have a shop midway.

Linking Valdresbanen with Begnadalen — family route over 2 days

For families who want to make Valdresbanen more than a day trip: combine the route with cycling along the Begna river for a 2-day family experience with overnight in Aurdal.

Day 1 — Valdresbanen (Fagernes → Aurdal/Leira): Start at a relaxed pace from Fagernes in the morning. Cycle along the route with stops at Nedre Reinsvoll and Bagn bridge. Eat lunch at Aurdal (km 10) and decide whether the children can manage the last 5 km to Leira, or whether Aurdal is far enough. Check in to accommodation.

Day 2 — Begnadalen (Leira/Aurdal → Bagn): Follow the country roads along the Begna river southward. You pass farmsteads, agricultural landscapes, and quiet roads with views of the river. The terrain is slightly more undulating than Valdresbanen, but no steep hills. Bagn has a grocery store and a bus back to Fagernes.

Tip: Leave your car in Fagernes, take the bus to Bagn on day 2, and collect it afterwards. Or drive two cars — one in Fagernes, one in Bagn.

For more on transport between bases in Valdres and accommodation along routes.

Frequently asked questions

Can you cycle with a balance bike on Valdresbanen? Yes! The surface is even enough for balance bikes (with child in front seat). The flattest sections around Fagernes and Aurdal are best suited.

Is it possible to cycle both ways — Fagernes to Leira and back? Absolutely. 30 km total with minimal elevation gain. Plan 3–4 hours with breaks. Bring enough food and drink as shops are only found in Aurdal and Leira.

Is the Valdresbanen Cycle Path accessible for wheelchair users? Parts of the route are accessible, particularly around Fagernes. The gravel surface can present challenges further along the route. Contact Fagernes tourist information for up-to-date information.

When does Valdresbanen open in spring? The route is usually passable from May, depending on snow and ice in the higher sections. June is safe for all conditions.

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