Landsem – Holsingsetra

A long and varied day on the bike — from gentle and quiet roads around Snåsa to wild climbs through forest and along rivers, ending at the idyllic Holsingsetra mountain farm surrounded by grazing animals and timeless calm.

The ride from Landsem down towards Snåsa is a joy – mostly easy pedaling on quiet roads, with more and more asphalt as you get closer to the village. You will pass mountain farms and a small community before rolling into Snåsa itself. A perfect first stop is the unmanned grocery store Arv, where a cold juice on a shaded bench feels like pure luxury. The shelves are filled with local products. A great option if the grocery store nearby is closed. From here you roll down to the lake Snåsavannet. The South-Sámi museum is located about 2 km outside the town and if the museum is not open, the building itself and the outdoor area around is well worth a visit. Heading back to the village, you´ll pass by the beach,  and the cozy café Garveriet by the water. There is also a hotel in Snåsa if you want to stay the night here.

Leaving Snåsa, the road soon tilts upward. The climbs are steady and sometimes steep, but traffic is light and the scenery rewarding. You leave the main road and ride onto gravel, gaining height along rivers and waterfalls. It’s a classic wilderness cycling stretch: gravel tracks with the occasional pothole, but generally good surfaces and excellent signage. The climb can feel relentless in hot weather or with a heavy pack, but the forest, the sound of rushing water, and the quiet of the landscape give it a special atmosphere. The Statskog cabin Roktsjøhytta is beautifully located 2 km off the route and is open for booking, if you want to end the day here.

After a long uphill, the terrain finally opens up. The road flattens, even drops in places, and soon the landscape changes to open bogs and mountain meadows. Holsingsetra itself is pure idyll: small farm buildings clustered by a river, with cows, pigs, hens and sheep grazing nearby. In summer you may meet budeier (dairymaids) and taste traditional sour cream porridge. Even when the summer farm is closed, overnights are possible, and Holsingsetra is one of six mountain farms in Snåsa open to visitors. A perfect ending to a long and varied day on the bike.