The Heroes of Telemark

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. Heading clockwise you will begin low in a valley, cycling on paved and gravel roads through classic telemark forest scenery. Wild flowing rivers from the surrounding mountains will make you feel you’re going into the wild. And after a few small towns, that is exactly what you will get. Climbing high along the boundaries of Hardangervidda (the largest mountain plateau in Northern Europe). It will be cold and barren up here before a gentle descent into one of Norway’s narrowest and steepest valleys.

A handful of impressive waterfalls and the backdrop of lush greenery will bring a welcome change on the way into Rjukan – a UNESCO World Heritage site. This old town is famous for its industrial past and one of the greatest Second World War espionage stories ever told. After a short rest stop, the infamous Zombie Hill awaits. This challenging 1000m climb with Norway’s highest regional mountain, Gaustatoppen, as your backdrop is one for the bucket list. The summit is cold and barren, and the descent down long and exhilarating. This is a unique and perfect bike loop for those looking for a challenging and rewarding ride