If you'd like to get the most in-depth experience of Mjølkevegen, the Grand Tour is the perfect option for you. This 8-day self guided bicycle tour covers all highlights of Mjølkevegen. Taking you from the wooded Lemonsjøen in the north, through Norway's highest mountain range Jotunheimen, to the more inhabited and cultivated southern part. The route covers approximately 250 km, depending on the chosen route.
Itinerary includes:
- Return flights to Oslo
- Bus transport from/to Oslo
- Luggage transport
- 1 Night at Lemonsjø Fjellstue
- 1 Night at Ruten Fjellstue, Espedalen
- 1 Night at Bygdin Høifieldshotel
- 1 Night at Filjellstuene, Tyinkrysset
- 1 Night at Syndinstøga
- 1 Night at Gomobu Mountain Lodge
- 1 Night at Kamben Høyfjellshotell
- Meals include - Breakfast, packed lunch and dinner
- Detailed tour description
- Original Mjølkevegen map
Highlights
- Jotunheimen National Park
- Boat ride with M/B Bitihorn
- Delicious local food
- Local summer farm culture
Difficulty level
- Medium
- 30 - 60 km every day with up to 900 ascent metres on gravel roads
Good to know
Luggage transport - we will send your luggage (1 x luggage per person) from accommodation to accommodation, to make your daily cycling experience as light and easy as possible.
Accommodation - We choose our accommodation carefully with focus on cyclist specific services and delicious local food. All accommodation offers a place to lock your bicycle, charge the battery and have some basic tools if you need to fix your bicycle.
Bicycle rental - If you like, you can rent electric bikes. Our bikes have front suspension and reliable and comfortable tyres for the gravel roads along Mjølkevegen. The range of the batteries is enough to reach your daily destination. Helmet and luggage rack are included.
Trails - Mjølkevegen (the Milky Way) consists mainly of gravel roads. You will partly cycle paved roads as well as single trails. You share the road with cars but traffic is very limited. You are more likely to encounter cows, sheeps and goats along your way! The route is well marked. However you will get the original Mjølkevegen map and in addition GPS files for all routes for your own navigation.
Board Basis: Full Board
Day 1 - Day of arrival from Oslo
Arrival by Valdresekspressen from Oslo. Different departure times are available. Enjoy the trip from Oslo towards Valdres and Jotunheimen. The express buses take you straight from the capital to the heart of Norway. On the way you will pass mountains, valleys, rivers and farms. The buses have free WiFi, power outlets, USB chargers and toilets.
Overnight at Lemonsjø Fjellstue. Mountain lodge with traditional cabins, hotel rooms and classic Norwegian cuisine at the lake Lemonsjøen.
Oslo, Norway
Day 2 - Lemonsjøen - Ruten
On your first day you will travel on gravel roads through wooded Murudalen and along beautiful rivers until you reach the village of Skåbu. From there it isn't far to your next overnight accommodation. Time: 3-6 hours. Distance: 59km. Ascent height: 750m.
Overnight at Ruten Fjellstue. Located in Espedalen, the area also known as Elgland as it's one of Europe's areas with the most moose crossings. They even have their own brewery, so the perfect opportunity to enjoy a drink after your day cycling.
Cycling the Mjølkevegen
Day 3 - Ruten - Bygdin
Today you will follow "Jotunheimvegen" cycling from wooded Espedalen towards the fjells above the treeline at Jotunheim. You will pass many farms along the way and follow the big lake Vinstra. On the horizon you will see the mountains of Jotunheim and the summit of Bithorn, where you will stay this evening.
Time: 4-5 hours. Distance: 63km. Ascent height: 870m.
Overnight at Bygdin Høifieldshotel. The hotel offers a traditional and historic atmosphere with good local food.
Bygdin Høifieldshotel
Day 4 - Bygdin - Tyinkrysset
Today you can start your day relaxed or take a hike up one of the summits close by, as your boat across Bygdin lake to Eidsbugarden doesn't leave until early afternoon. The sailing on M/B Bitihorn takes approximately 1.5 hours. Once you arrive at Eidsbugarden, you take the gravel road to Tyin. You can take a detour into Koldedalen from Tyinholmen to get closer to the mountains and glaciers along the way. From Tyin you cycle down the paved road to Tyinkrysset to your next overnight accommodation.
Time: 2-3 hours. Distance: 23km. Ascent: 400m.
Overnight at Filjellstuene, Tyinkrysset.
Filjellstuene, Tyinkrysset
Day 5 - Tyinkrysset - Syndinstøga
From Tyinkrysset you will follow the main road down to Lake Vangsmjøse. From here you will follow this beautiful lake along steep hillsides to reach the Syndin plateau and Syndinstøga. This stretch is the most challenging leg of the Mjølkevegen route. Time:4-6 hours. Distance: 53km. Ascent: 974m.
Overnight at Syndinstøga. This small accommodation offers just a few apartments and cabins. The kitchen is well known in the region and you can look forward to a culinary highlight after a long day in the saddle.
Syndinstøga
Day 6 - Syndinstøga - Vaset
A shorter day awaits you and a more lively region with many summer farms, cabins and farm animals on or along the gravel roads. There is also a shorter stretch stretch with a single trail (4km). Later in the day you will reach the Vaset region, a very popular cabin-region with Norwegians. Time: 2-4 hours. Distance: 29km. Ascent: 423m.
Overnight at Gomobu Mountain Lodge. Gomobu Fjellstue is on top of a hill over Vaset. A family-owned lodge with a cozy atmosphere and traditional food.
Vaset
Day 7 - Vaset - Kamben
Today from Gomobu you will follow 'Panoramavegen' - as the name suggests with panoramic views over the rolling and cultivated landscape of Golsmountains. During your cycle you will have the chance to visit a summer farm and visit the famous cafe Langestølen. Time 2-3 hours. Distance: 35km. Ascent: 330m.
Overnight at Kamben Høyfjellshotell. Here you can experience a dream night in a four-poster bed. Decorated in a historical style with warm timber walls and a romantic atmosphere. Enjoy a 5-course dinner to celebrate that you have cycled the whole Mjølkevegen.
Kamben
Day 8 - Day of departure
After breakfast you will take the express bus from Fagernes to Oslo for your return flight back to the UK. Alternatively, why not spend an extra night or two in Norway's delightful capital city.