How do I get from Oslo to Valdres for a cycling trip?
By car: 2–2.5 hours on the E16 to Fagernes. By bus: NOR-WAY Bussekspress from Oslo Bus Terminal takes about 3 hours to Fagernes, with bikes in the luggage hold (bag required). By train: Bergensbanen to Gol (1.5h), then local bus to the Valdres valley. Most cyclists drive.
Valdres is one of Norway's best cycling destinations — and it's surprisingly close to Oslo. You don't need to plan a week-long expedition. A Saturday morning departure can have you riding mountain gravel by noon.
Here's everything you need to know to get here with your bike.
By car — the simplest option
Driving is the most popular way to bring your bike to Valdres. From Oslo city centre to Fagernes, you're looking at 2 to 2.5 hours via the E16 — one of Norway's most scenic main roads, following the Begna river valley most of the way.
Key distances from Oslo:
Where to park and start: Fagernes has a large free car park near the tourist office, perfect for leaving the car and riding straight into the valley. Beitostølen has parking at the resort centre. For point-to-point rides along Valdresbanen Sykkelvei, park at either end.
Road conditions: The E16 is well-maintained year-round. In early season (April–May), the mountain passes — Valdresflya (Rv51) and Filefjell (E16 toward Voss) — may have snow closures. Check yr.no for conditions before you drive.
By bus — bike-friendly express service
NOR-WAY Bussekspress runs daily buses from Oslo Bus Terminal (Schweigaards gate) to Fagernes and Beitostølen. Journey time is approximately 3 hours to Fagernes, 3.5 hours to Beitostølen.
Bikes on buses: Bikes travel in the luggage hold — you need a bike bag or hard case. Book in advance during summer weekends, as luggage space is limited. Check nor-way.no for current schedules and ticket prices.
Returning without a car: The return bus works well for point-to-point rides. Ride from Beitostølen to Fagernes, pick up the afternoon bus back to Oslo — a clean one-way setup that many locals use for the Fagernes til Beitostølen road route.
By train — Gol as your gateway
If you'd rather skip driving, the Bergensbanen train from Oslo S to Gol takes about 1 hour 45 minutes. Gol is at the eastern end of the Valdres valley, just 65 km from Fagernes by road.
From Gol, you have two options:
- Take a local bus to Fagernes or Beitostølen (check ruter.no for Innlandet schedules)
- Start cycling from Gol — this is actually the traditional starting point for the eastern section of Mjølkevegen, the 250 km gravel route to Vinstra
Bikes are allowed on most Bergensbanen trains, but must be booked as luggage on longer runs. Check vy.no.
Day trip vs weekend vs week
Day trip from Oslo (130–200 km round trip)
A day trip works well in midsummer with long daylight. Leave Oslo by 7–8 AM, drive to Fagernes (arrive ~10 AM), ride 40–60 km, and be back in Oslo by early evening.
Good day-trip rides from Fagernes:
- Valdresbanen Sykkelvei — flat, 30 km one way on the old railway bed
- Floafjorden Familierunde — easy 20 km loop around the lake
- Tisleifjorden Rundt — 42 km gravel loop, moderate
Weekend from Oslo
Friday night drive to Fagernes, two full cycling days, Sunday afternoon home. This is the sweet spot — enough time for a proper mountain ride without taking leave.
Weekend itinerary:
- Saturday: Drive up, afternoon ride (2–3 hours). Beitostølen Gravelrunde or a warm-up on the Valdresbanen trail.
- Sunday: Full-day ride — Over Valdresflya if the road is open, or Syndin Rundt for a big gravel day. Drive home after.
Stay in Fagernes or Beitostølen — both have hotels and huts suited for cyclists.
Week-long tour
A full week gives you time to ride Mjølkevegen properly, explore the Jotunheimen approaches, and dip into quieter valleys like Etnedal and Slidre.
Suggested week arc:
- Arrive Fagernes — easy valley ride
- Ride toward Vaset — Vaset–Nøsen–Gomobu loop
- Beitostølen — Valdresflya big day
- Rest day or MTB at Beitostølen Trail Arena
- Start Mjølkevegen eastbound — sleep Gol area
- Golsfjellet Gravelrunde or train home from Gol
When to come
Best season: June to September. Mountain routes like Valdresflya and the high gravel paths typically open in mid-June. July and August are peak season with warm weather and all services open.
Early season (May): Lower valley rides like Valdresbanen and the roads around Fagernes are rideable from May. Fjell routes are usually snow-covered until June.
Shoulder season (September): Excellent cycling — fewer people, cooler temperatures, autumn colours. Most fjellstuer close by mid-September.
What to bring from Oslo
You don't need to pack everything from home. Beitostølen has a well-stocked bike shop for repairs and spares. But for a weekend trip, bring:
- Waterproof jacket — mountain weather changes fast
- Enough food for the day (stores are sparse on fjell routes)
- Downloaded offline maps (maps.me or Komoot work well)
- Cash for remote mountain huts (some don't take card)
For gravel rides, 38–45 mm tyres handle Valdres terrain well. For road routes, 28–32 mm is fine.
Oslo cyclists already know Valdres
You'll find Oslo road clubs and gravel riders here most summer weekends — it's a well-worn route from the capital. The E16 drive through the Begna valley is pleasant even before the cycling starts. Worth the trip, easily repeatable.