When
Mid June - September
Written by
Matthew Tolley
Distance
127km
Days
1-2
High point
1176m
Difficulty
5/10
Unpaved
75%
Total Ascent
1329
Ferries
0
Tunnels
0
Set off on a remarkable cycling adventure along the Dovrefjell trail, winding through the heart of three spectacular national parks: Rondane, Dovre, and Dovrefjell. Traverse awe-inspiring mountain scenery, peaceful landscapes, and the charming Grimsdalen Valley, celebrated as one of Norway’s most stunning farming areas. Discover a quieter, untouched side of Norway, far from the bustling tourist routes of the west coast.
The route offers flexibility, allowing you to tailor your journey based on how far you wish to cycle and where you’d like to stay overnight. Whether you opt for a leisurely ride or an electrified boost with an e-bike, the choice is yours. The National Park Trail between Dombås and Hjerkinn is especially suitable for families, offering a safe and scenic experience. For a weekend getaway or a deeper exploration of Dovrefjell, you can combine cycling with unique activities like a musk ox safari, horseback riding on Icelandic horses, or climbing the iconic Mount Snøhetta. Along the trail, you’ll find plenty of opportunities for adventure and cosy places to eat and rest, ensuring an unforgettable journey surrounded by nature.
To begin your journey from Dombås town centre, follow the footpath leading up to Trolltun Gjestegård. This first part is tough to cycle and not the perfect way to introduce you to the route. After a small struggle on a poor grassy farm path, you will eventually reach a better surface where it flattens out. From there, you can join the National Park Trail (Nasjonalparkvegen), a dedicated hiking and cycling route that runs parallel to the main E6 road. This trail is free of motor traffic and features a well-maintained gravel surface, making it ideal for cycling. Along the route, you will find various accommodation and dining options, including the Furuhaugli Turisthytter.
Upon reaching Hjerkinn, continue cycling for a few hundred metres along County Road 29, where the route picks up again on Kvitdalsvegen, starting from Hjerkinn Fjellstue og Fjellridning (Hjerkinn Mountain Lodge and Mountain Riding).
From Hjerkinn, we recommend taking the route via Kvitdalen, a unique alpine pasture valley located to the north. This scenic area offers exceptional natural experiences, with gravel roads and wide paths ideal for cycling. For those seeking a shorter route, you can opt to follow County Road 29.
Regardless of your choice, you will need to continue along County Road 29 towards Folldal. While this paved road does have some traffic, it still offers beautiful views of the surrounding landscape, and there are plenty of opportunities to stop and enjoy the scenery. From Folldal, follow the paved National Tourist Route/County Road 27 towards Grimsdalsvegen where the gravel begins again and some gentle climbing up onto the alpine pastures
The journey through Grimsdalen is truly breathtaking. As you cycle along the gravel roads, you’ll be treated to panoramic views of the Rondane mountain range. Grimsdalen is an active alpine pasture valley, with the Grimsa River gracefully winding through the landscape. There are plenty of excellent spots for both short and long breaks along the way. Facilities, such as outdoor toilets, are available at Grimsdalshytta and Pundarvangen camping sites.
From the road barrier at Eftansåe, it’s a fast descent all the way to Dovre town centre. Take care descending, and watch out for livestock in the middle of the road. After reaching Dovre, follow the footpath to Toftemo, or if you prefer, you can cycle along Solsidevegen to Dombås.
You can cycle along Solsidevegen (County Road 491) from Dovre to Dombås, which is accessible by turning off just before reaching Dovre town centre from Grimsdalen. Follow this county road until it meets the E6, where a footpath will guide you for the final stretch into Dombås town centre.
Alternatively, you can start on Solsidevegen from Toftemo, or take Baksidevegen (County Road 497), which continues from Toftemo. Both are paved side roads running parallel to the E6, offering several scenic spots to enjoy along the way. Note that Baksidevegen includes a steep climb before you reach Dombås town centre.
If you start the route clockwise toward Hjerkinn, the initial stretch is relatively flat, with the exception of a short climb out of Dombås. The real ascent begins as you enter the Grimsdalen alpine valley. This climb is long and gradual, with few steep sections, making it manageable for most fitness levels. However, weather conditions in this region can change rapidly. Strong winds and sudden downpours are common, which can significantly increase the difficulty of the ride.
The descent from the mountain is steep and fast but requires caution due to potholes and uneven road surfaces. Less experienced cyclists should approach this section carefully and stay alert to their surroundings. The final leg back to Dombås is fairly comfortable, especially if you choose the Solsidevegen road, which offers a smoother and easier ride.
This route is suitable for a wide range of cyclists, from beginners to seasoned riders. It’s also family-friendly, with many families, including those with young children, often seen cycling parts of the trail.
Some photos for this page are supplied by Fara Cycling
For those looking to extend their journey, consider cycling two picturesque gravel roads (deadends) that lead to charming tourist cabins. These cabins offer both accommodation and meals, making them perfect for a restful stopover. Advance booking is highly recommended to secure your stay. From these cabins, you can embark on a variety of hiking trails that venture deep into Rondane National Park, offering spectacular views and opportunities to explore the region’s natural beauty.
Detour from Hjerkinn - One of Norway's most iconic mountains (Snøhetta) is located in the remote and pristine Dovrefjell-Sunndalsfjella National Park, an area known for its strict conservation policies. This region serves as a breeding ground for wild reindeer during parts of the seasons. However, from June 1st to July 15th, cyclists have a limited window to explore the Snøheimvegen and Vålåsjøhøvegen gravel roads within the park. Outside of this period, cycling is prohibited, and electric bikes are not permitted at any time. Additionally, cycling is not allowed on the trail leading to the SNØHETTA viewpoint—visitors must park their bikes and walk the short distance to enjoy the view. If you're in the area at this time, these are roads well worth experiencing!
If you enjoy hiking mountains, then Snøhetta (2286m), Norway's highest free-standing mountain, should be on your list!
This hidden gem of a route offers an extraordinary extension to the Tour de Dovre, transforming it into an epic 500+ km loop through the stunning Rørosvidda highlands. With over 85% of the trail on gravel and occasional single-track sections, this adventure takes cyclists through some of the most remote and untouched landscapes in Southern Norway. Highlights include a historic boat journey across Norway's third-largest lake and the opportunity to immerse yourself in the rugged beauty of the wilderness. Perfect for adventure bikepackers seeking a truly wild and unforgettable cycling experience. You can read more about it here.
Norway’s National Cycle Route 7, part of Eurovelo 3, is known as the Pilgrims’ Route (or Pilegrimsleden), offers a unique and scenic cycling experience that combines natural beauty, cultural landmarks, and a connection to Norway's historic pilgrimage traditions. This route stretches approximately 750 km from the bustling city of Trondheim in the north to the Swedish Border in the south. It connects with Dombås and can be combined with the Tour de Dovre. The full route information can be found here.
From Hjerkinn continue the journey on gravel following the famous Seterveien route (The Pasture Road). The route takes you through verdant valleys, lush forests, and open mountain plateaus, with expansive views of Norway’s tranquil rural heartland. The area is especially known for its idyllic summer farms and grazing areas, giving cyclists a glimpse into traditional Norwegian pastoral life. The route ends in Røros where trains can take you to Trondheim or Oslo (vier Hammar).
After completing the Tour de Dovre loop from Dombås you can take a famous gravel mountain road (Slådalsveien) over to Vågåmo and then onwards on quiet gravel roads to Mjølkevegen and Rallarvegen, ending in Flåm. This allows you to complete 'Norway's big 3' routes!
Bike Rental Locations:
The bike rental system for the route is very well set up and makes it easy to pick up in one location and drop off in another should you decide to cycle only part of the route. The main office is situated 100m from Dombås train station and offers Mountain and E-bikes to rent.
Trains:
Ferries: There are no ferries on this route
Buses: From Dombås to Folldal you will find buses running on the main roads and easy to jump on at village/town if you have a mechanical, etc. Innlandstrafikk is the main bus company that is in operation in this area. You can discover their timetables and routes here. Many of the local buses will allow a bike on board (pay child fare). Some long-distance buses may refuse bikes.
Animals
Tunnels
There are no tunnels on this route
Busy Roads
The Tour de Dovre is generally very safe for cycling, but riders should be aware of occasional tourist traffic on gravel roads, particularly in areas like Grimsdalen. The initial segment of the route runs alongside the E6 on a dedicated cycle path designed for safety. It is strongly recommended to remain on this purpose-built track and avoid cycling directly on the E6, as the main road has a high speed limit of 110 km/h and lacks a suitable shoulder for cyclists. Prioritizing the designated cycle paths ensures a safer and far more enjoyable ride.
The Weather
The weather conditions along the Tour de Dovre cycling route can be unpredictable and challenging at times due to its location in Norway’s highland terrain. The area can experience sudden weather changes, including strong winds, localized rain showers, and rapid temperature shifts. Always be prepared for both sunny and cold, wet conditions, even during summer. Snow can linger on higher-altitude sections into late spring/early summer, and autumn may bring frost. Open sections like the Dovrefjell plateau are particularly prone to strong winds. These can significantly increase the difficulty, especially on uphill sections or descents.
Finnmark too has a certain mystique. Being about the same distance from Oslo as Istanbul, in some ways, it’s basically the last stop before the North Pole. The undoubted highlight of the journey is simply cycling the wild expanse of Europe’s last great wilderness. It will feel very lonely up here but isn’t that a reason to cycle it? The cycling heat maps of the world are full of well-ridden roads. Here you will join a small group of cyclists seeking something extraordinary. Passing wild herds of reindeer and perhaps not seeing another human for many hours is why you came – right? The ride comes to an end in the town of Kirkenes which has Russian road signs. This will indicate you have reached the boundaries of the Western world!
Finnmark too has a certain mystique. Being about the same distance from Oslo as Istanbul, in some ways, it’s basically the last stop before the North Pole. The undoubted highlight of the journey is simply cycling the wild expanse of Europe’s last great wilderness. It will feel very lonely up here but isn’t that a reason to cycle it? The cycling heat maps of the world are full of well-ridden roads. Here you will join a small group of cyclists seeking something extraordinary. Passing wild herds of reindeer and perhaps not seeing another human for many hours is why you came – right? The ride comes to an end in the town of Kirkenes which has Russian road signs. This will indicate you have reached the boundaries of the Western world!
All cycling routes published on CYCLENORWAY.com are simply a planning resource to be used as a point of inspiration in conjunction with your own due-diligence. All route guidelines were prepared under diligent research. However, we can never for certain insure the complete accuracy of the routes. Cycling in Norway is in general very safe. Nevertheless, should you choose to cycle this route you do so at your own risk.
Check out this helpful video to see how the routes can be uploaded onto your mobile device and cycling computer.
Cycling long distance is tough, and you should not attempt routes that are beyond your level.
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Cycle Norway is dedicated to making Norway, safer and more enjoyable to experience by bike and to inspire and inform a growing audience of the opportunities available.
