Telemark Canal Loop

May – October

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+28 images

+26 images

327km

Distance

5506m

Elev. Gain

2-5

Days

31%

Unpaved

7/10

Difficulty

32-40

Ideal Types

Telemark Canal Loop

This is an ideal weekend bikepacking trip, just two hours from Oslo, it offers one of the best loop rides in Southern Norway. The route circles the historic Telemark Canal, following a mix of hard-packed gravel and quiet backroads. It’s a ride that shouldn’t be underestimated, both for its beauty and the effort required.

Telemark is a special region, and this might be the finest cycling route it has to offer. For those with a lighter setup, there’s the option to ride a tougher version where you tackle an old, narrow road long forgotten and recaptured by nature. Be warned: it’s steep enough to demand a hike on the way up, and a cautious descent on the way down. In most countries, a route like this would be well-known and celebrated. But in Norway, it remains under the radar; sometimes the most beautiful places manage to stay that way.