Overview
A six day, self-guided cycling holiday on Norway’s magnificent Mjølkevegen, a 250km trail through some of the country’s finest natural heritage. Translated as the Milky Way after the dairy farms that are scattered across this Valdres region, it’s enveloped by the Jotunheimen Mountains. This segment is the Mjølkevegen North Route, starting in the north at Lemonsjøen and heading south to Beitostølen. An exhilarating trail with climbs, downhills and wide-open stretches, surrounded by impressive peaks and lakelands. Stay in hotels and mountain lodges, with luggage transfers.
- Jotunheimen National Park
- Boat ride with M/B Bitihorn across Lake Bygdin
- Traditional Norwegian food
- Cycle a section of Norway’s Kings Road
Click to view map
Itinerary
Day 1: Oslo to Lemonsjøen
Take the express bus (approx. 5h) from Oslo towards Valdres and Jotunheimen National Park, travelling through the heart of Norway, passing mountains, valleys, rivers and farms. The buses have free wifi, power outlets with USB chargers and toilets.
- Accommodation:Lemonsjø Fjellstue or similar
Day 2: Lemonsjøen to Espedalen | 59km
Cycle along a gravel road through the wooded Murudalen Valley and along several rivers until you come to the village of Skåbu. From there it’s not far to your next accommodation at Espedalen. The area is also often called Elgland, famous for its many moose crossings. They also have their own brewery, a perfect stop after your first day of cycling.
- Cycling for the day: 3-6h, 59km, ↑750m ↓730m
- Accommodation: Ruten Fjellstue or similar
Day 3: Espedalen to Bygdin | 63km
Today you follow the Jotunheimvegen,cycling from wooded Espedalen Valley towards the fjells above the treeline at Jotunheimen. Cycle past many summer farms and grazing areas along the way, alongside Lake Vinstre, with views of the Jotunheimen Mountains, and Mount Bithorn. Your hotel is by Bygdinvannet and the pier to M/B Bitihorn.
- Cycling for the day: 4-5h, 63km, ↑870m ↓690m
- Accommodation: Bygdin Høifieldhotell or similar
Day 4: Bygdin to Tyinkrysset | 23km
Take a rest this morning on the shores of the lake, or take a hike to one of the nearby summits, as your boat doesn’t leave until the afternoon.
Hiking suggestion: Sysnhorn (1,457m), on easy trails with some rocky stretches near the top and with superb views of the Jotunheimen Mountains. Then take a cruise on the historical M/B Bitihorn over Lake Bygdin (1.5h). After you reached Eidsbugarden by boat, follow the gravel road to Tyin along the lake. Take a detour into Koldedalen from Tyinholmen crossroads to come closer to iconic mountains such as Falketinden, Uranostinden and some impressive glaciers. From Tyin, cycle down the paved road to Tyinkrysset and your accommodation, Filefjellstuene.
- Cycling for the day: 2-3h, 23km, ↑400m ↓220m
- Optional hike to Synshorn: 1-2h, 5km ↑450m
- Accommodation: Filefjellstuene or similar
Day 5: Tyinkrysset to Beitostølen | 65km
This is probably the toughest stretch on this section of the Mjølkevegen. From Tyinkrysset, follow the main road and a section of the historic Kings Road down to Lake Vanqsmiosa. Follow this beautiful lake along some steep hillsides, then ascend to Slettefjell (1,315m), which isn’t particularly long but it is steep. From there you can enjoy a gentle downhill ride towards Beitostølen.
- Cycling for the day: 5-8h, 65km, ↑987m ↓996m
- Accommodation: Radisson BLU Mountain Resort or similar
Day 6: Departure
Take the express bus from Beitostølen to Norway.
What to expect
Accommodation
Accommodation on this tour include hotels and charming lodges. They have been carefully selected based on a variety of criteria including their location, warm hospitality, fine local food or commitment to responsible tourism. All of them have rooms with private facilities and serve traditional Norwegian mountain cuisine. All accommodation offer a place to lock your bicycle, charge the battery and have some basic tools if you need to fix your bicycle.
Click to view sample hotels
- Lemonsjø Fjellstue(Lemonsjøen)
- Ruten Fjellstue (Espedalen)
- Bygdin Høifieldhotell (Bygdin)
- Filefjellstuene (Tyinkrysset)
- Radisson BLU Mountain Resort (Beitostølen)
Hotels are subject to availability. In the event of a particular hotel being fully booked for your chosen dates, we will replace it with a hotel of equal value and quality level. We will provide exact accommodation details to you upon booking confirmation.
Meals
This tour includes breakfast, packed lunch(self-prepared from the breakfast buffet) and dinner. If you want another drink for dinner or snacks/chocolate on the trip, this can be bought at the cabins. It is possible to fill a thermos with hot drinks (for a fee) and drinking bottles with water (free of charge) at all accommodations.
Difficulty and terrain
We rate the difficulty level moderate. The Mjølkevegen consists mainly of gravel roads. Partly you will cycle paved roads and as well single trails. You share the road with cars but traffic is very limited. What you more often will meet are cows, goats and sheep along your way.The route is well marked. However, you will get an official Mjølkevegen map from us and in addition gpx files for all routes for your own navigation.(read more about difficulty grades).
When to go
This trip is available to start from the end of June till the beginning of September.
The flexibility of self-guided holidays means that there are no fixed dates, and you can start your trip on any date during the season.
Getting there
Click to view travel options
The closest international airport is Oslo (OSL), 50km away from Oslo bus terminal.
Inclusions
Included
- 5 nights in comfortable mountain lodges and hotels as listed in the itinerary
- 5 breakfasts
- 5 packed lunches (self-prepared from the breakfast buffet)
- 5 dinners (2/5-course or buffet)
- Bus transport to/from Oslo
- Boat tickets
- Luggage transfers (one piece of luggage up to 20kg per person) when changing hotels
- Detailed journey documentation and practical information: personalised trip notes and a Mjølkevegen map (emailed before departure and a map provided at first hotel; one set per room)
- 24/7 phone assistance by our local office/representative
Excluded
- Flights and airport transfers
- Travel insurance (required – get a quote online)
- Bike rental
- Personal expenses such as snacks, drinks, phone calls, extra transfers, tips, etc.
- Entrance fees for attractions and museums
- Any items not explicitly listed as included
Options, extras and supplements
- If you are travelling in a group, a supplement applies to group members who would like to have a room of their own
- This holiday is NOT available for solo travellers
- Bike and e-bike rental, includes helmet, luggage rack and repair kit
Bike rental
We can provide high-quality rental bikes and additional equipment if requested. These bikes have been specially designed for our bike tours. They are comfortable, safe and sturdy bikes and therefore perfect for undertaking tours of several days duration. The bike you will receive is regularly checked; still, basic knowledge on bike maintenance is highly recommended, as you will be cycling by yourself.
Nakamura M30
- Fork: RST Gila
- Frame:M Triple Butted 50cm aluminum
- Brakes: Tektro hydraulic disc brakes
- Gears: Shimano Altus gear system
- Wheels: 69cm Radius wheels
Diamant Mogul 3 unisex
- Fork: RST suspension fork
- Frame: XC 650b Performance
- Brakes: Disk brakes
- Gears: Shimano Altus drivetrain, 27 gears
- Wheels: 69cm Radius wheels
Diamant Mogul 3 Dame
- Fork: RST suspension fork
- Frame: XC 650b Performance
- Brakes: Disk brakes
- Gears: Shimano Altus drivetrain, 24 gears
- Wheels: 69cm Radius wheels
E-bike rental
Unisex e-bike
- Model: HardRocx E-Shock 3
- Frame: E1
- Drive system: New Shimano STEPS E6100 w/60nm torque and large display
- Fork: RST Gila TNL w/lock out
- Brakes: Shimano BR-MT200 hydraulic disc brake
- Wheel set: Shimano Centerlock / Alex DM-18 for e-bike
- Deck: Kenda Slant Six 29 x 2.2
- Gears: 9
- Battery type and capacity: Shimano BT-E8010 14Ah/504Wh
- Range: High mode 60 km,Normal mode 85 km,Eco mode 125 km
- Size: XL. L. M and S
Gallery
