L'Est

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.

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.

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 Who cares if the curtains are a tad outdated?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!