National Park Route: Mjølkevegen and Tour de Dovre (10-days)
This 359 km long route through The National Parks combines two of the best cycling routes in Mountain-Norway, Mjølkevegen and Tour de Dovre.
The National Park Route combines two of the best cycling routes in Mountain-Norway, Mjølkevegen and Tour de Dovre. This 359 km long route is suitable for those in good physical shape, with some cycling experience. It will take you through picturesque mountain terrains and valleys, along rivers and farmlands, and up some steep peaks with rewarding panoramic views. Explore the lush U-valleys of Gudbrandsdalen and Grimsdalen, where Norwegians have been involved with farm and agricultural practices for centuries. This route takes you past no less than five national parks, including Dovrefjell (famous for the musk ox), Dovre, Rondane (famous for the wild reindeer), Langsua and finally Jotunheimen – home to Norway’s highest mountains, Galdhøpiggen.
Experience Norwegian mountain culture such as village life and the farm culture up-close; many four-legged local heroes such as cows, sheep and goats spend the summer grazing freely and peacefully in the mountains. If you’re lucky you might also get a view of the wildlife in our national parks – ranging from the famous musk ox to elks, reindeer and eagles. No other cycling route in Norway can offer a variety of nature, terrain and history comparable to this one. You will mainly travel on gravel roads, with occasional short legs along the main roads and face both steep, strenuous ascents and exhilarating descents. This trip includes a boat trip across the magnificent Bygdin Lake with M/B Bitihorn. You will spend the last night in Beitostølen, a lively and charming mountain village. Here you can get a taste of Norwegian village life and go out to bars, restaurants or you might even catch a concert.
Map:
Transfer:
- To/from Oslo
Meal plan:
- Full Board: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Luggage transportation:
- From Hjerkinn Fjellstue to Grimsdalshytta DNT
- From Grimsdalshytta DNT to Toftemo Turiststasjon
- From Toftemo Turiststasjon to Lemonsjøen Fjellstue
- From Lemonsjøen Fjellstue to Bygdin Høifieldshotell
- From Bygdin Høifieldshotell to Radisson BLU Mountain Resort Beitostølen
Accommodation:
- Day: 1 - Hjerkinn Fjellstue
- Day: 2 - Grimsdalshytta DNT
- Day: 3 - Toftemo Turiststasjon
- Day: 4 - Vågå Hotel
- Day: 5 - Lemonsjøen Fjellstue
- Day: 6 - Ruten Fjellstue
- Day: 7 - Bygdin Høifieldshotell
- Day: 8 - Tyin Filefjellstuene
- Day: 9 - Radisson BLU Mountain Resort Beitostølen
Itinerary
Agenda day 1:
Cycling: Kvitdalen (Round-tour from Hjerkinn)
Difficulty: Moderate
Time: 2-3 hour(s)
Distance: 29 kilometers
Ascent height: 405 metersAccommodation: Hjerkinn Fjellstue
Hjerkinn Fjellstue og Fjellridning have long traditions hosting travellers, with a history of providing friendly, high-quality accommodation for hikers and visitors for 1200 years.
One or several nights in fresh, crisp mountain air is good for you! Hjerkinn offers hotel rooms, apartments, a pilegrim hut and camping facilities. You can eat at the restaurant or cater for yourself, whatever you prefer.
Agenda day 2:
Cycling: Hjerkinn → Grimsdalshytta
Difficulty: Moderate
Time: 3-4 hour(s)
Distance: 54 kilometers
Ascent height: 470 meters
Descent height: 490 metersThe first part of the route is relatively easy and on asphalt which will entail some road traffic. Follow the river Folla down into the valley. You will eventually arrive at Folldal an get on the Rondane National Tourist Road, heading West. You are now entering Grimsdalen which is one of the most stunning mountain valleys in Norway. Cycle between two of Norways finest national parks, Dovre national park on your right, and Rondane National Park on your left. Arrive at Grimsdalshytta which lies in the heart of Dovre National Park.
Accommodation: Grimsdalshytta DNT
This accommodation consists of beautiful cultural buildings and gives a scenic panoramic view over Rondane mountains. Access to many easy hikes.
Agenda day 3:
Cycling: Grimsdalshytta ↔ Toftemo
Difficulty: Moderate
Time: 2-4 hour(s)
Distance: 29 kilometers
Ascent height: 360 meters
Descent height: 820 metersTravel through Grimsdalen, along the rivers Grimse, Grimsdalsmyerene and Veslegrimsi. The trail here is quite flat, but it will eventually reach a steep ascent as you climb up to a plateu. Descend 620 meters within 12 kilometers into Dovre. You are now in one of the most famous valleys in Norway Gudbrandsdalen. Follow the road North up to Toftemo.
Accommodation: Toftemo Turiststasjon
Toftemo Turiststasjon offers everything from hotelrooms, cabins, camping and glamping! In addition to good food and unique accommodation the area also offer great hiking and biking trails.
Agenda day 4:
Cycling: Toftemo ↔ Vågåmo
Difficulty: Challenging
Time: 4-7 hour(s)
Distance: 56 kilometers
Ascent height: 990 meters
Descent height: 1080 metersScenic journey that connects the Tour de Dovre and Mjølkevegen Routes. This leg takes you through Gudbrandsdalen, along the river Gudbrandsdalslågen and through traditional farming and village areas, up the mountain plateau and along Reinheimen National Park. On the mountain plateau you will first cycle on flat and easy surfaces, and later follow the trails into more dramatic landscapes through deep valleys and along ravines. When you reach Vågå you will find yourself on the doorstep of Jotunheimen National Park.
Accommodation: Vågå Hotel
Welcome to the charming mountain village Vågå. Surrounding us we have three national parks; Dovrefjell, Rondane and Jotunheimen.
Agenda day 5:
Cycling: Vågåmo ↔ Lemonsjøen
Difficulty: Moderate
Time: 2 hour(s)
Distance: 19 kilometers
Ascent height: 810 meters
Descent height: 330 metersThis short and scenic leg takes you along fields, through forest areas and up some steep elevations leading to rewarding views over Jotunheimen. Cycle along Vågåvatnet and follow the trail to the beautiful mountain lake, Lemonsjøen. If the weather permits it, have a refreshing dip in the mountain lake, followed by a warm dinner.
Accommodation: Lemonsjøen Fjellstue
Lemonsjø Mountain Lodge is a typical little cabin in Jotunheimen National Park. It is located next to Lemonsjø Lake. Many popular trails run via Lemonsjø and the friendly hosts accommodate both hikers and cyclists during the popular summer months.
Agenda day 6:
Cycling: Lemonsjøen → Ruten
Difficulty: Moderate
Time: 3-6 hour(s)
Distance: 59 kilometers
Ascent height: 750 meters
Descent height: 730 metersTravel on gravel road through Murudalen and along several mesmerising rivers such as the river Sjoa, and the river Muru with its impressive twists and turns. Around halfway there will be a steep descent that takes you back down towards the river and past the Lake Slangen, around Lake Olstappen. During summer you might run into goats and other farm animals grazing in the area. For the last stage up to Ruten fjellstue you can either follow the main road or alternatively try the little yet more strenuous path through nature along the river Espa.
Accommodation: Ruten Fjellstue
Ruten Mountain Lodge lies in Gudbrandsdalen, one of the most iconic valleys in Norway. You'll find the lodegs in the Espedalen valley, next to Bjørnsonvegen. This area also goes by the name of Elgland because one of Europe's largest moose herds cross here.
Agenda day 7:
Cycling: Jotunheimvegen (Ruten Fjellstue → Bygdin Høyfjellshotell)
Difficulty: Challenging
Time: 4-5 hour(s)
Distance: 63 kilometers
Ascent height: 870 meters
Descent height: 690 metersFollow the idyllic Jotunheimvegen through beautiful nature and farming landscape. Keep an eye out for reindeer grazing in the area. The route follows the shore along the Vinstrevatn where you will most likely meet cows, sheep and goats grazing freely in the area. Here you get close to the mountain farm life, which is an important part of the Valdres culture. Further on you will see some spectacular mountains and also have hiking opportunities along the way; such as Synshorn and Bitihorn
Accommodation: Bygdin Høifieldshotell
Bygdin Fjellhotel is situated south of Jotunheimen, near the lake "Bygdin" in an altitude of 3910 ft. It is 12km north of Beitostølen and 22 km from Besseggen. The main road 51 over Valdresflya passes the hotel. The Hotel was built in 1912, and in 1955 and 1965 extensions were added on. The hotel has an old-fashioned warm style,which has been maintained throughout the entire building. Bygdin Fjellhotel is situated at the boarder of Jotunheimen National Park, with a view to fantastic scenery over the mountains with peaks up to 6900ft.
Agenda day 8:
Cruise: (M/B Bitihorn) Bygdin → Eidsbugarden: 09:05 → 10:50
Cruise on the lake Bygdin with M/B Bitihorn. Between Bygdin and Eidsbugarden.
Cycling: Eidsbugarden → Tyinholmen
Difficulty: Easy
Time: 1 hour(s)
Distance: 3 kilometers
Ascent height: 220 metersCycle from Eidsbugarden up to Tyinholmen just a few km away. There’s still enough time left of the afternoon to take a side trip on your bicycle into the Koldedalen Valley with a phenomenal view towards the legendary mountain of Falketind or hike up to "Utsikten", the mountain named “View”.
Cycling: Tyinholmen → Filefjellstuene
Difficulty: Challenging
Time: 1-3 hour(s)
Distance: 20 kilometers
Ascent height: 80 meters
Descent height: 280 metersCycle on gravel road along the magnificent Tyin Lake down to Tyinkrysset and then Filefjellstuene. This scenic lower mountain landscape is very peaceful with the occasional sheep field on the side of the road. Notice the drastic difference in scenery from the previous legs. Tyinkrysset is an important crossing in this region; the West-road will take you to Lærdal and the East-road will take you to Vangsmjøse and eventually Fagernes. You will follow the road going South until you reach the charming Filefjellstuene, a family run accommodation which lies right in the centre of the Tyin-Filefjell area.
Accommodation: Tyin Filefjellstuene
Filefjellstuene is located in amid beautiful surroundings, in the heart of Tyin/Filefjell. It is a lively place both during summer and winter as there a re loads of activities to do here such as ski touring, cross country skiing, alpine skiing, and trekking. Welcome
Agenda day 9:
Cycling: Filefjellstuene → Beitostølen (Slettefjell)
Difficulty: Difficult
Time: 5-8 hour(s)
Distance: 65 kilometers
Ascent height: 987 meters
Descent height: 996 metersThis is the toughest leg of Mjølkevegen, mostly on gravel road. It takes you to the historical Kongevegen (King’s Road), and past Sputrefossen waterfall. You will face a tough ascent to the highest point of the road on the Slettefjell mountain plateau. It is not too long, but it is steep! On the top of Slettefjell, you are at 1315 m.a.s.l. Cycle down towards the mountain farm Mugnestølen and continue along Slettefjellvegen via Lykkja to Beitostølen. Beitostølen is a lively and charming mountain village. Here you can get a taste of Norwegian mountain life and go out to bars, restaurants or even catch a concert.
Accommodation: Radisson BLU Mountain Resort Beitostølen
A traditional first-class full service resort situated at the bottom of the slopes in the centre of Beitostølen.
Agenda day 10:
Bus: Transfer to/from Oslo
Time: 4 hour(s)Ride with Valdresekspressen!
Enjoy the scenic journey from Oslo to the Valdres Region. After leaving the bustle of the capital you will soon find yourself on countryside roads passing through small towns and surrounded by lakes and fields. As you get further into the country, you will see the mountains in the distance and before you know you’ll find yourself climbing the steep roads that take you straight into the national park. The coach has adjustable seats, free WiFi, outlets with USB charging ports and toilet facilities on board.