Hemsedal is an excellent starting point for many good cycle trips. The routes are varied and run through beautiful nature with wild, majestic mountains and vigorous valley parts.
In Hemsedal's Biking brochure (pdf 11 MB) there are short daytrips on gravel roads to more demanding trips with overnight stays at the many mountain cabins in the area.
The terrain is varied, from asphalt, gravel and cart roads to more challenging tracks and paths.
21 of the described biking routes (225 km) are marked and graded from easy green and blue to more advanced red or black trails.
In the article Biking routes you will find more trip suggestions. These routes are not marked or signposted, so we recommend using proper maps for all of these trips.
Hemsedal has a skills course and two new bike parks for downhill biking. One starts at the top of the 8-seater chair lift in Hemsedal Ski Centre, and the other starts in the Skarsnuten Mountain Village.
Mountain bikes and downhill bikes with safety gear can be rented at the Bike rental in the Welcome Centre where you will also find a bike repair shop.
Norske Opplevelser also offers guided biking tours on Thursdays throughout the summer season.
When cycling in remote areas, please remember:
- The high mountains are exposed to erosion. Ensure that you do not cycle in particularly sensitive areas (marshland/swamps, shale, etc.).
- Not all footpaths are suitable for cycling - use only paths that endure cycling.
- Stick to paths least used by hikers, in order to avoid any conflict.
- Leave gates as you found them.
- Cycle in a way that does not disturb livestock and wild animals.
- Cycle at an appropriate speed that does not disturb hikers.
The west side to Tuv - Finset - Hemsedal village(approx. 10 km)
Start from Hemsedal town centre/tourist information. Cross the bridge to Bru-Haug Campsite and follow the gravel road along the river to Mølla Sportell/Hemsedal Skisenter. Cross the road and continue along Holdeskarveien Road.
Take the first gravel road to the right and follow the path to Tuv (rocky at some places). Cross the small bridge over the river Mørkedøla and continue through the residential area to the main road. Turn right onto the main road, then left towards Grøndalen and then the road immediately to the right past the farms Viljugrein, Hustad and Sjåstad. At the top, it's worth continuing to Hollekolten (gravel track) to enjoy the panoramic views of Hemsedal.
Continue on the cart road to the farm Finset. Carry on along the Old Royal Route to Hemsedal centre.
Map: Hemsedal 1:30 000
Vannen circuit (approx. 20 km)
A great trip in varied terrain, mostly along gravel roads, rough tracks and wide footpaths.
Start from Huso Adventure Farm to Road no 224 (approx. 200 m) then turn left. Follow the road past Fuglehaugen motor-cross track, then take the first left and continue up the hill. At the next crossing, take left onto a cart road which runs through Heggjiruste and down towards Venebakk. Keep right before turning left at Nystøllie. At Døkkbekken, turn right past the Grytevatn and Grytestølen to Hestanåne. Follow the road Lykkjavegen past Vannen and Vanneviken. Turn left onto Road no 224 and continue back to the starting point, Huso Adventure farm.
Map: Hemsedal 1:30 000.
The Storevatnet circuit (approx. 17 km)
Start from Hestanåne (approx. 8 km from Ulsåk in the direction towards Lykkja). Follow the road towards Lykkja and take the first gravel road to the right towards Langehaugstølen. Turn first left after the bridge over the Hydna river and follow the road to Trefta. Then follow the road Lykkjavegen to Sørejall'n where you turn right down to Nørelivegen. Carry on up to Nørelie where you will find two mountain pastures.
From Nørelie you are going up to Nørelihøgda. Marked path from the mountain pastures. Follow the track until you find the road at Blomeslettan.
From there you keep on Blomeslettveien straight ahead.
At the crossing to Grytestølen you turn right and take the road back to the starting point at Hestanåne.
Map: Hemsedal 1:30 000
Fanitullvegen - the road to Vats (approx. 35 km)
Between Reineskarvet and Hallingskarvet, two mountain areas north of Hardangervidda, runs the road called Fanitullvegen.
The trip starts at Holdeskaret and up towards the dam at Flævatne.Carry on over the mountain to Ål (there are no signs over the mountain). There are several options. Either to take it as a day trip to Ål via Leveld, or take bus from Vats to Ål. Extend the trip by taking right at Vats towards Rødungstølen and Tvist, to end up in Hovet and Hol. Accommodation at several places.
Map: Reineskarvet 1:50 000.
Hemsedal - Gol (approx. 26 km)
The trip follows a gravel road on the west side of the Hemsila river (follow signs for Eventyrveien). Approx. 7 km from Gol you must enter the main road a few hundred meters before the bicycle road continues on the east side of the river.
The trip can start at the east side of the valley too (road no 224), cycling from Huso Adventure Farm.
Map: Hemsedal 1:30 000 and Gol-Fagernes 1:50 000.
Kongevegen - The Old Royal Route (approx. 20 km)
Start by Skinnfellgården farm and follow the gravel road towards Lio. On this stretch there is a short stage on the main road (road no 52) before you continue along the Royal Route to Bjøberg. It is possible to cycle further along the main road to Lærdal and the Sognefjord,
but then you must follow the main road.
As an alternative you can bring your bike on the bus from Hemsedal to Bjøberg (see p. 95)
and cycle back to Hemsedal (downhill). Distance Skinnfellgården - Bjøberg 20 km.
Map: Hemsedal 1:40 000.
Gyrinosvatnet (approx. 32 km)
Park at the dam Flævassdammen. Follow the road to the mountain pasture Skarvan towards Gyrinose along the small lake Gyrinosvatnet. The road runs all the way to Lysebotn. Leave the bike and take the hike to Skålakjeften. Excellent hiking area. The trip to Veslenose is worth the climb. Follow the same road back to the starting point.
Map: Gyrinosvatnet (sheet 15161)
Grøndalen (approx. 25 km)
Park at the golf course in Grøndalen. Follow the road onwards to Mørekvam. The road changes to tractor tracks at Mørekvamstølen. The last leg to Kljåen (DNT self service hut) is a path running from Kyrkjebøsletto (approx. 1,5 km).
Map: Hemsedal 1:40 000.
Feten - Bulidalen (approx. 12 km)
Park at Feten at the bottom of the Grøndalen valley.
From here the trip goes inward along the river Buliåne and all the way to Bulie. Return the same way.
Map: Hemsedal 1:40 000
Golsfjellet and Vestre Slidre
This area has a number of possibilities, both for daytrips and overnight trips. The landscape is dominated by cabins, chalets, mountain plateaus, lakes, gravel roads and grazing cows and sheep. For closer description, see www.hemsedal.com or visit Hemsedal Tourist office.
Map: Gol-Fagernes 1:50 000.
For an over view of biking routes, you can download this map.
Other very useful maps for biking in Hemsedal and area are:
- Hemsedal Turkart 1:30 000, NOK 90,-
- Hemsedal-Gol-Ål 1:60 000, NOK 95,-
The maps can be bought at Hemsedal Tourist Office, the sport shops in Hemsedal and at the Welcom Centre in Hemsedal Mountain Village.
Transportation to the mountain kr 150, - for you and your friends with bikes!
As a novelty this year can Hemsedal offer bike taxi for a reasonable flat rates that take you and the bikes from the center or the Welcome Center and up to the starting point for bike tours.
For example, up to Vavatn where the bike ride down the Hydalen and then all the way through Grøndal Trail and Dalløypa back to the center of Hemsedal is a great day trip for young and old bikers, and a meal and ice cream / coffee break can be posted on the Golf House or Harahorn (booked in advance).
Bookings: in Norwegian Adventures on tel: 32 06 00 03 where the bicycle can also be ordered.