342 km
Distance
7650m
Dénivelé positif
2-6
Jours
55%
Non pavé
8.5/10
Difficulté
35-45mm
Types Idéaux
Route nationale de gravier 7 : Jotunheimen
Jotunheimen — the Land of the Giants — is Norway’s most famous mountain region, known for its glaciers, high mountain lakes, and peaks rising well above 2,000 metres. Most people experience it on foot, hiking between cabins or climbing individual summits. This route offers something different: the chance to circle the national park by bike.
The route follows a mix of gravel roads, historic mountain passes, and quieter backroads that have connected valleys long before tourism existed. More than half of the route is gravel, with options to add quieter detours and spend even more time away from traffic and busy tourist areas.
The scenery constantly changes. One moment you are riding beside turquoise lakes and ice-fed rivers, the next crossing barren plateaus or climbing above the treeline with mountains surrounding you from every direction. Highlights include famous roads such as Sognefjellet and Tindevegen, along with Tusenmeteren, a climb gaining 1,000 vertical metres through 42 switchbacks.
This is not an easy route. It is exposed, physically demanding, and the weather can quickly change. But for riders wanting to spend time in one of Norway’s wildest mountain landscapes rather than simply passing through it, few routes offer a better experience.
Carte routière
Quand ?
If you want to cycle the full route, you may need to wait until late June or early July to cross Tusenmeteren. However, if you are happy to skip Tusenmeteren by taking the main paved road below, the route can usually be ridden from mid June, or potentially earlier depending on when Jotunheimvegen opens. The route will stay open until late September/early October.
Y arriver
- You can take the bus (Vardresekspressen) from Oslo to Beitostølen by NOR-WAY Bussekpress. Here it’s possible to book space for your bike. https://www.nor-way.no/en/routes/valdresekspressen/
- Another option is to take the train (vy.no) from Oslo or Oslo Airport to Vinstra. Here you can take NGR6, which will connect to this route after about 50km.
Dangers
Some of the paved sections experience tourist traffic during peak times, and you should expect campervans along scenic roads such as Valdresflye and Sognefjellet.
Some gravel sections are rough in places, and if you cycle the route clockwise, the descents from Tusenmeteren and Slettevegen are fast and steep, requiring good bike-handling skills to descend safely.
Bike Rental
You will find all bike rental options for the region here.
Few places in Europe offer such scale, scope, and beauty as this region of Norway!
Recommandations locales
Tusenmeteren
Perhaps Norway’s most famous gravel road, with dramatic drops to the valley floor as you ride this remarkable route built over 100 years ago.
Sognefjellet
Brimi Seter
Located beside the waters of Tesse along NGR 7, Brimi Seter is one of those places many riders would simply cycle past without realising what they are missing. This traditional mountain farm offers a chance to experience a side of Norway that has changed little over generations.
Expect old timber buildings, local food, homemade cheese, grazing animals, and views towards some of Norway’s highest mountains. After a long day riding remote gravel roads and mountain passes, it is a memorable place to stop, slow down, and experience a quieter side of mountain Norway.
Free Bike Shelter
Along the Scenic Route Sognefjellet, before the heavy climbing begins, a quiet rest area (Liasanden) hidden within the forest sits beside a powerful glacier-fed river. Here you will find two free bike shelters that can be used for overnight stays, along with a public toilet for extra convenience.
Liens utiles
Booking.com – pour les options d'hébergement dans toute la Norvège
Application Entur – pour planifier des trajets en transports en commun en Norvège
Ferry – itinéraires, horaires et informations par Statens Vegvesen
Étiquette du camping sauvage important à savoir
Lectures complémentaires
Garder à l'esprit
Tous les itinéraires cyclables publiés sur CYCLENORWAY.com sont destinés à des fins de planification et d'inspiration, à utiliser en complément de vos propres recherches et de votre jugement. Les itinéraires sont créés à l'issue de recherches approfondies, mais chaque cycliste a des capacités, des attentes et une tolérance au risque qui lui sont propres. Certains itinéraires peuvent inclure des sections où il faut porter le vélo, des sentiers boueux ou humides, des terrains techniques, des montées abruptes, des descentes ou des zones isolées qui pourraient ne pas convenir à tous. Les données d'itinéraire, les logiciels de cartographie et les conditions peuvent également changer ou contenir des inexactitudes. Le cyclisme en Norvège est généralement très sûr. Néanmoins, si vous choisissez de suivre ces itinéraires, vous le faites à vos propres risques.
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