National Gravel Route 1

Oslo – Trondheim – The Hard Way

This route took the longest to map and refine. There are many ways to travel north from Oslo, and it took several years and multiple bikepacking expeditions to settle on what would become the official line. The distance between these two cities is considerable, and when gravel is involved, there are no straight routes. This is as close as it gets to balancing efficiency with adventure.

What makes this route unique is the sense that you are following lines laid down long before cycling existed. Heading north towards Nidaros Cathedral, you move through parts of Norway shaped by the medieval pilgrimage to the shrine of Olav II Haraldsson, where early Christian travellers crossed the same valleys and mountain passes in the 11th and 12th centuries. That history is not always visible, but it sits quietly in the landscape. In one remote section of the route, a small plaque marks where the Royal Air Force dropped supplies to the Norwegian resistance during World War II. It’s these small encounters with the past that give the journey its deeper meaning.

Not every section is smooth. You’ll cross streams, ride narrow duckboards, and face rough terrain that demands solid bike handling. This is not a beginner’s route. It’s for riders who are prepared, experienced, and willing to take on a wide range of conditions.

If that sounds like your kind of ride, read on.