Cycling Valdresflya — complete guide | SykkelValdres

Can you cycle over Valdresflya?

Yes — Valdresflya is Norway's highest main road mountain pass (1389 m) and one of the country's most iconic cycling climbs. Rv51 from Beitostølen to Hindsæter is 72 km with 1250 m of climbing. The road is normally open June–September. Paved the entire way, but demanding due to altitude, wind and exposed terrain above the tree line.

Why Valdresflya is special

Valdresflya isn't just a mountain pass — it's a journey from birch forest to arctic plateau in an hour or two. Rv51 is part of the National Tourist Route Valdresflye, climbing from Beitostølen (900 m) to 1389 m, where you ride above the tree line into a landscape more reminiscent of Iceland than Norway.

From the summit you can see Galdhøpiggen, Glittertind and the entire Jotunheimen massif. Reindeer cross the road in front of you. The air is thin and still — except for the wind, which almost always blows up here.

This is a route that deserves a place on every cyclist's bucket list.

The route — kilometre by kilometre

Beitostølen → Bygdin (km 0–25)

You start in Beitostølen town centre (approx. 900 m). The first kilometres follow Rv51 northward through birch forest and past scattered farms. The gradient is moderate — 3–5 % most of the way.

At Bygdin (approx. km 25) you pass Eidsbugarden and the historic Bygdin boat. This is a natural spot to take a break. You're already at about 1050 m, and the tree line is approaching.

Tip: Fill your water bottles at Eidsbugarden — it's the last reliable water source before the mountain lodge at the top.

Bygdin → Valdresflya summit (km 25–45)

Here the landscape changes dramatically. You ride above the tree line and out onto the plateau. The gradient is steady but noticeable — 4–6 % in long stretches. The road is exposed, and the wind can be strong.

The views open up. The Jotunheimen peaks tower to the east: Galdhøpiggen (2469 m), Glittertind (2452 m), Memuru glacier. In clear weather you can see Besseggen as a sharp ridge against the horizon.

Reindeer graze along the road — keep your distance and don't disturb them. They are wild and belong here.

Valdresflya Fjellstue sits at 1389 m, the highest point. Open June–September with hot food, coffee and toilets. The perfect reward after the climb.

Summit → Hindsæter (km 45–72)

If you continue eastward towards Hindsæter, you get a long descent with panoramic views over Sjodalen and Gjende. The road is narrower here with some sharp bends — keep your speed under control.

Many choose to turn around at the summit and ride back to Beitostølen (approx. 45 km round trip from Beitostølen to the top). Then you get the reward you deserve: 25 km of downhill back.

Climbing profile

The gradient is steady and predictable — no wall sections over 8 %. This makes Valdresflya manageable for most people used to 3–4 hours in the saddle, even though the total is demanding.

Season and weather

Rv51 over Valdresflya normally opens in May, but for cycling June–September is the realistic season. In early June there may still be snowdrifts along the road, and the temperature at the summit is typically 5–12°C even in midsummer.

Weather tips:

Check yr.no for Valdresflya the day before. The temperature at the summit is 8–12 degrees lower than in Beitostølen.
Wind is the biggest challenge. Northerly wind across the plateau can bring the effective temperature below 0°C even in July.
Avoid days with rain and wind — exposed terrain above the tree line offers no shelter.
Fog occurs, especially in the afternoon. Start early.

Gear

Wind jacket — mandatory, regardless of the forecast. Above the tree line it's almost always windy.
Arm and leg warmers — easy to remove when you're sweating, essential on the descent.
Windproof gloves — your hands freeze first on the way down.
Extra water bottle — 1.5–2 litres from the start. Little refill opportunity en route.
Packed lunch — Valdresflya Fjellstue is open in season, but bring your own as backup.
Sunglasses + sunscreen — altitude + reflection from scree = strong UV.

With an e-bike

Valdresflya on an e-bike is absolutely doable and recommended for cyclists who want to experience the route without being in peak fitness. With an e-bike the difficulty changes from "demanding" to "moderate".

Important: Battery capacity is critical. From Beitostølen to the summit is about 45 km with 1250 m of climbing — most e-bikes use 60–80 % of the battery on this stretch in eco mode. Plan for charging or bring a spare battery if you're going all the way to Hindsæter.

Check our e-bike guide for more on e-cycling in Valdres.

How to get there

Car: E16 from Oslo to Fagernes (3.5 hours), then Rv51 to Beitostølen (30 min). Parking in Beitostølen town centre.

Bus: Valdresekspressen from Oslo Bus Terminal to Fagernes, local bus to Beitostølen. Check innlandstrafikk.no for timetables and rules for bikes on board.

Train + bus: Train to Gjøvik, bus onward to Fagernes. Longer, but possible.

Combinations

Valdresflya works well as part of a longer trip:

The Challenge — 90 km loop from Beitostølen including Valdresflya. For those who want it all in one day.
Mjølkevegen — Start with Mjølkevegen from Vinstra, cycle to Beitostølen, and take Valdresflya as the crowning glory on day 2 or 3.
Round trip to the summit — 90 km from Beitostølen to the top and back. Shorter than the full through-ride, but gives you the most important experience.

Common mistakes

Underestimating the wind. Even in calm weather in the valley, it can blow 10–15 m/s on the plateau. Always bring a wind jacket.
Too little water. There are 20+ km without water access between Bygdin and the mountain lodge.
Starting too late. After 12:00, fog and afternoon wind often build up. Start at 07–08 for the best conditions.
Forgetting the descent. 25 km of downhill in 5°C and wind requires warm clothing. Pack it — you'll need it.

National Cycle Route 5 — the future

Valdresflya is planned as part of National Cycle Route 5, the north-south axis connecting Southern Norway and Northern Norway via the interior. The Norwegian Public Roads Administration is working to improve the stretch with better road shoulders and cycling infrastructure. When the route is completed, Valdresflya will become a natural high point — literally — on one of Norway's longest continuous cycle routes.

For those cycling Valdresflya today, this means the road already has good tarmac and reasonable width. But until the cycle route is finished, you share the road with cars and motorhomes — especially in July. Early morning (before 09:00) and weekdays mean significantly less traffic.

Training plan — prepare at home

Valdresflya is not a route you just turn up at. 1250 m of climbing over 45 km requires a solid fitness base. Here's a realistic training plan:

4–6 weeks before the trip:

Weekly long ride of 40–60 km with climbing
Hill intervals: 3×8 minutes at threshold, 3 minutes recovery
At least one ride over 800 m of climbing per week

Final week:

Easy rides, max 1 hour. Save your legs.
Check gear, especially tyres, brakes and gears

Nutrition en route: Have breakfast 2 hours before departure. Eat every 45 minutes on the road — energy bar, banana, sandwich. Drink 0.5 litres per hour, more in heat. At the summit your body needs carbohydrates fast — don't wait until you're empty.

Photo stops and experiences along the way

Valdresflya isn't just a cycling route — it's a photo expedition. Here are the best stops:

Eidsbugarden (km 25) — Historic mountain lodge with the Bygdin boat in the background. Perfect for a coffee and a photo of Lake Bygdin.
The tree line (approx. km 30) — Dramatic transition from birch forest to bare mountain. The landscape changes within a few hundred metres.
Reindeer territory (km 32–40) — Keep your eyes open. Wild reindeer often graze along the road. Keep 50+ metres distance and use zoom.
Valdresflya Fjellstue (km 45) — The selfie spot. 1389 m, Jotunheimen in the background. Golden hour (06–08 and 19–21) gives magical light.
The Sjodalen viewpoint (km 50–55) — If you continue towards Hindsæter, the valley opens up below you with Gjende glinting in the distance.

Photo tip: Early morning gives the best light and least traffic. Cloud cover can be spectacular — a thin layer of clouds below you while the peaks poke up is a classic Valdresflya motif.

Month by month — choose the right time

Not all summer months are equal at 1389 m. Here's what you can expect:

Rule of thumb: July for reliability, June for adventure, August for balance, September for solitude. Regardless of month: check yr.no the evening before and have a plan B.

Descent technique — 25 km downhill in mountain weather

The climb is demanding. The descent can be dangerous if you're not prepared. 25 km of continuous downhill from 1389 m back to Beitostølen requires technique and respect.

Speed and braking:

Alternate between front and rear brakes to avoid overheating the rims. Prolonged braking on one rim can cause brake failure.
Keep speed below 40 km/h in bends. Mountain tarmac can have sand, gravel or moisture you can't see.
Brake before the bend, not in it. Release the brakes when you're in the bend and the bike is leaning.

Cold and body:

Stop and put on clothes before you start the descent. When you're freezing at 50 km/h wind speed, it's too late.
Fingers and toes lose feeling first. Windproof gloves and shoe covers make the difference between comfortable and unbearable.
After 1250 m of climbing, your muscles are tired. Tired muscles react more slowly. Check in with yourself — if you're exhausted, take a break halfway down.

Traffic on the descent: Motorhomes drive slowly uphill — you'll catch them. Keep your distance and only overtake with good visibility. Make noise (bell or shout) before passing — they can't hear you.

Valdresflya without the full climb — adapted variants

Not everyone needs to cycle all of Valdresflya. Here are three smart alternatives that give you the experience without requiring 1250 m in the legs:

Beitostølen–Bygdin round trip (50 km, moderate)

Turn around at Eidsbugarden (1050 m) after 25 km. You get the birch forest, the first mountain glimpses and a historic mountain lodge with coffee — but avoid the exposed plateau. 550 m of climbing, manageable for most with 2–3 hours of cycling experience. The ride back down is the reward.

Perfect for: Families with teenagers 13+, e-bikers wanting to save battery, or a half-day trip from Beitostølen.

Valdresflya west side gravel road (28 km, moderate)

An alternative route on quiet gravel roads west of Rv51. Less traffic, more nature, lower maximum elevation. Requires a gravel or mountain bike with minimum 35mm tyres.

Perfect for: Gravel cyclists who want the Valdresflya atmosphere without the motorhomes on tarmac.

Interval climb from Beitostølen (12 km, demanding)

Short and intense: the first 12 km from Beitostølen uphill with 400 m of climbing — turn and ride back down. Can be repeated 2–3 times as a training session. Local cyclists use this as a weekly interval workout.

Perfect for: Training cyclists who want climbing work without a full-day ride.

Shuttle service and transport logistics

Valdresflya is a point-to-point route — you start in Beitostølen and end at Hindsæter (or vice versa). This means you need transport one way. Here are the options:

Round trip from Beitostølen

Simplest: cycle up to Valdresflya Fjellstue (45 km), turn around and ride back. 90 km total, but the descent is fast. Most people take 5–7 hours including breaks. No transport logistics required.

Car at start, bus back

Park in Beitostølen, cycle to Hindsæter, take the bus back via Sjodalen and over to Valdres. The route via Gjøvik/Fagernes is long — check innlandstrafikk.no for current departures. Note that bikes on board are not guaranteed on all services — call and confirm in advance.

Two cars / support car

Most flexible but requires planning. Place one car at Hindsæter the day before, cycle from Beitostølen. Alternatively: a partner drives with supplies and meets you at Eidsbugarden (km 25) and at the summit (km 45). This gives you safety and food without carrying everything yourself.

E-bike charging en route

There are no official charging stations along Valdresflya. Valdresflya Fjellstue may let you charge if you ask nicely — but don't count on it. Best practice: fully charged battery from the start in eco mode, or bring a spare battery in your pack. Beitostølen town centre has charging points at several accommodation providers.

Your body at 1389 m — altitude effects you'll notice

You don't need to go to the Himalayas for altitude to make itself felt. 1389 m is enough for your body to react — especially during hard physical effort. Here's what happens and what to do about it.

Practical strategy: Keep your heart rate 10–15 beats below what you'd normally ride at for equivalent gradients at home. Watch for headache, dizziness or unusual breathlessness — these are your body's signals to slow down. Most people adjust fine within 30–45 minutes above the tree line, but the first kilometres on the plateau can feel surprisingly hard.

E-bike bonus: With an e-bike the altitude effect is dramatically reduced because you're working at lower intensity. The battery, however, is unaffected by altitude — only by cold and gradient.

Turn-around points — when and where to consider turning back

Valdresflya is exposed. Above the tree line there is no shelter, no buildings (apart from the mountain lodge at the summit), and mobile coverage is unreliable. Knowing when to turn back is as important as knowing how to ride up.

Three questions to ask yourself at each turning point:

Is the wind stronger than expected — and likely to increase?
Can I see the summit, or is there fog/clouds above me?
Do I have enough energy to cycle back safely?

If you answer "yes" to two out of three: turn back. There's no shame in it. Valdresflya will be there tomorrow too.

Summary

Valdresflya is one of the great cycling experiences in Norway. 1389 m, National Tourist Route, Jotunheimen panorama, reindeer — it's hard to overstate. But it demands respect: the right gear, good planning and a day with reasonable weather.

Do it right, and you'll have a cycling experience you'll never forget.

Cycling Valdresflya — complete guide