National Gravel Route 7: Jotunheimen

National Gravel Route 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.