East

Routes

Rondane Loop

Rondane is one of Norway’s most impressive National parks and boosts the most beautiful mountain range on the country’s eastern side.

259km
20% unpaved
1-4 days
7/10 difficulty

Overview

A world away from the fjords

The Heroes of Telemark

Riding this route is a great way to experience the highlights of northern Telemark. You get to experience a lot of Norway’s lesser-known natural wonders.

210km
10% unpaved
1-3 days
8/10 difficulty

Overview

Retrace the heroes footsteps

Peer Gynt Loop

This region of Norway often goes unnoticed, but this route reveals the beauty of both sides of the Gudbrandsdalen Valley. On the eastern side, you’ll encounter a scenic gravel road winding through rugged, open mountains.

450km
>20% unpaved
2-6 days
6/10 difficulty

Overview

The fairy tale route

Mjøstråkk

Mjøstråkk constitutes a designated cycle route encircling Mjøsa, Norway’s most expansive lake. Predominantly characterized by level terrain, the route traverses a lowland area typically characterized by stable weather conditions.

241km
>20% unpaved
1-4 days
5/10 difficulty

Overview

The Queen of Norway

The Pilgrim Route

This is less a bike route and more a journey into the past as you follow in the footsteps of Norway’s great Viking King Olaf II. The route takes you up the historic valley of Gudbrandsdalsleden and ends at the 1000-year-old Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim

798km
<10% unpaved
5-13 days
5.5/10 difficulty

Full story Overview

Follow the Viking King

Hallingdal & Rallarvegen

This is a bikepacking paradise where nature, gravel, and road combine to give you an experience unlike everything else.

581km
25% unpaved
3-8 days
8/10 difficulty

Full story Overview

Norway’s most famous gravel road

National Gravel Route 8: Østlandsviddene

A wild and demanding loop for serious bikepackers seeking deep immersion in Norway’s least visited interior.

638km
76% unpaved
4-10 days
7/10 difficulty

Overview

Should be a world-famous gravel route

National Gravel Route 5: Fønhusruta

One of Norway’s great long-distance gravel routes on roads and terrain unknown to many.

474km
80% unpaved
3-8 days
8/10 difficulty

Overview

From the capital to the mountains on gravel

National Gravel Route 4: Innlandsruta

Ride along the Swedish border for hundreds of kilometres on unknown gravel roads.

499km
72% unpaved
3-7 days
6/10 difficulty

Overview

The ride that makes Sweden jealous

National Gravel Route 1: Sentralruta

The 12th-century pilgrimage from Norway’s capital to the historic city of Trondheim and Nidaros Cathedral.

730km
75% unpaved
7-14 days
8/10 difficulty

Full story Overview

The Gravel Pilgrimage

Gjøvik – Oslo – Gravel

Scenic gravel through quiet forests, lakes, and hidden trails. Car-free, train-connected, and rich in WWII resistance history.

150km
80% unpaved
1-3 days
6/10 difficulty

Overview

The WWII Escape Route

The High Voltage Route

Follow the forgotten gravel roads once built for servicing power lines, leading you up to their hidden source.

246km
80% unpaved
2-5 days
8/10 difficulty

Full story Overview

Chasing Power Lines to Hidden Highlands

Road Route map

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Gravel Route map

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Norway’s Gravel Mania…

Forget about touristy roads, endless tunnels, and ferry wait times—those are all part of the West Coast scene. Head east, and you’ll find a whole different vibe. Most bikepackers stick to the fjord region, leaving the east largely unexplored. But if you’re up for ditching the Instagram-worthy shots and tuning into the true essence of biking, this is where it’s at in Norway.

It’s all about the thrill of adventure here. Picture yourself cruising along remote gravel roads, surrounded by the rugged eastern mountain terrain. Sure, the views might not be as jaw-dropping as the fjords, but who needs ’em? You’re out here on your own, with nothing but a beautiful gravel path stretching out before you. Isn’t that what cycling’s all about?

If you crave solitude, challenge, and the raw, wild, unforgiving beauty of nature, the East is where you want to be.

Author full name

Matthew Tolley

Founder of Cycle Norway

Need to know here

Weather

Down in the southern lowland areas, you’ll find a climate that’s generally more settled and warmer during the summer months. While there’s always a chance of rain and cooler temps, it’s usually pretty favorable for cycling overall.

But once you head further north into the highlands, things take a turn. Large swathes of this inland region sit over 600 meters above sea level, making this area notorious for being the coldest in all of Norway—yes, even chillier than the far North! Just how cold? Well, in the Rorøs region, they once clocked in at a bone-chilling -51.4°C one winter! So, don’t be surprised if evenings and mornings in the summer feel chilly. And keep an eye out for rapid weather changes on those unpredictable days. It’s not uncommon to encounter sudden downpours, and you can expect to pedal through both sunshine and showers all in one day.

Public transport

Getting around the region is reasonably easy with its extensive train and bus networks. If you’re travelling between Oslo and Trondheim, you’ve got two rail options. One track shadows the main E6 road, passing through Lillehammer and Dombås, while the other veers east, cutting through more remote territories to Røros.

The local buses crisscross between all the major towns, making it pretty straightforward to hop on to the start of a route or head back home. The only hiccup? Those routes toward the Swedish border. It’s best to be self-sufficient there, as escape options are few and far between.

Local knowledge

Not many folks from abroad venture past the famous spots like Gudbrandsdalen and Jotunheim national park. This area’s a real slice of traditional Norway, where you might find tourist signs only in Norwegian and some places could use a bit of sprucing up.

But hey, that’s all part of the charm, right? It’s a refreshing change from the overly polished towns down south or the super touristy West Coast. Who cares if the curtains are a tad outdated? This is the real deal, Norway, off the beaten path. And you can bet everything here, including the people, is as genuine as it gets.

The must-visit place is the world heritage town of Rorøs. It’s an old mining town located close to the Swedish border. There are so many great gravel routes in the area, and last time I cycled there I saw more moose than people!