Mjølkevegen (The Old Milk Route) is considered one of the most beautiful cycle routes in Norway. The full route is 250 km long, stretching from Vinstra in Gudbrandsdalen to Gol in Hallingdal. This 7-day, 200 km journey takes you from Lemonsjø to Beitostølen, showcasing the stunning mountain landscapes, traditional farm life, and charming rural scenery of this region.
The North Route is a beautiful, scenic journey which is perfect for enthusiastic cyclists with a fair amount of experience on a bike. During this week-long adventure you cycle through beautiful mountain landscapes along popular places like Jotunheimvegen and Stølsvidda, and you will see plenty of the traditional farm life and landscape in this stunning region of Norway.
Following the North Route, you will cycle mainly on gravel mountain roads, and you will pass along charming rivers and blue mountain lakes in this rural part of Norway. The carefully crafted route covers the best sights in the region, ensuring an unforgettable week-long journey through one of Norway’s most scenic areas.
On the first day of the trip, board the comfortable Valdresekspressen bus in Oslo for a scenic journey to Lemonsjøen in Jotunheimen. Here, you will spend the night at Lemonsjøen Fjellstue. Spend the night at the charming Lemonsjøen Fjellstue cabin, located next to the beautiful Lemonsjøen Lake. The surrounding area offers plenty of opportunities for short bike rides, hikes, and other nature experiences.
During the scenic journey from Oslo to the Valdres Region, you will be treated to beautiful countryside roads, passing through small towns surrounded by lakes and fields. As you move further into the country, you'll spot mountains in the distance, and soon you'll find yourself climbing steep roads that lead straight into the national park. The coach is equipped with adjustable seats, free WiFi, outlets with USB charging ports, and toilet facilities on board.
Lemonsjø Mountain Lodge is a typical little cabin located in Jotunheimen National Park, next to Lemonsjø Lake. There are many popular trails running via Lemonsjø, and the friendly hosts accommodate both hikers and cyclists during the popular summer months.
This is your first long bike ride, from Lemonsjøen to Ruten. The quiet trail will take you along gravel mountain roads through the Murudalen Valley. As you cycle, you’ll pass beautiful rivers such as Sjoa and Muru as well as the lakes Slangen and Olstappen. You’ll be spending the night at Ruten Mountain Lodge, which is a charming guest house located in Gudbrandsdalen - one of Norway’s most iconic and well-known valleys.
Travel on gravel road through Murudalen and along several mesmerising rivers such as the river Sjoa and the river Muru with its impressive twists and turns. Around halfway there will be a steep descent that takes you back down towards the river and past the Lake Slangen, around Lake Olstappen. During summer you might run into goats and other farm animals grazing in the area. For the last stage up to Ruten fjellstue you can either follow the main road or alternatively try the little yet more strenuous path through nature along the river Espa.
Ruten Mountain Lodge lies in Gudbrandsdalen, one of the most iconic valleys in Norway. You'll find the lodegs in the Espedalen valley, next to Bjørnsonvegen. This area also goes by the name of Elgland because one of Europe's largest moose herds cross here.
Today's route takes you through the stunning Jotunheimvegen, where you'll witness the breathtaking beauty of the region's natural and farming landscapes. Keep an eye out for reindeer grazing nearby and enjoy the scenic route along the Vinstrevatn shore, where you'll come across cows, sheep, and goats grazing freely in the area. As you get closer to the mountain farm life, you'll experience an important part of Valdres culture. You'll also have the opportunity to hike along the way, with the stunning Synshorn and Bitihorn mountains waiting for you.
Bygdin Fjellhotel is located in a picturesque spot, 3910 feet above sea level, south of Jotunheimen and near the stunning lake "Bygdin." Just 12 km north of Beitostølen and 22 km from Besseggen, the hotel is conveniently located off the main road 51 over Valdresflya. The hotel has been around since 1912 and was extended in 1955 and 1965, with its warm, old-fashioned style preserved throughout. With a view of the fantastic Jotunheimen National Park, the hotel boasts spectacular scenery and majestic mountains with peaks reaching up to 6900 feet.
Today, you will embark on a breathtaking hike up to the summit of Synshorn, which stands 1457 meters above sea level and offers a stunning panoramic view of Jotunheimen. The trail is easy to follow, featuring a mix of soft terrain and rocky paths as you approach the peak. This hike is well-suited for beginners and is a relatively short trek starting right from the doorstep of Bygdin Fjellhotel.
In the afternoon, you will enjoy a mini-cruise aboard the historic boat M/B Bitihorn, which will take you across Bygdin lake to Eidsbugarden with a stop at Torfinnsbu, providing stunning views of Jotunheimen. After the boat ride, you will cycle for about an hour to reach Tyinholmen, a charming and traditional guest house with plenty of history. There are several options for short scenic bike rides or hikes in the beautiful natural landscape nearby. You can even take a side trip on your bicycle into the Koldedalen Valley, which offers a phenomenal view towards the legendary mountain of Falketind, or hike up to "Utsikten," the mountain named "View."
Tyinholmen is one of the most traditional places in Jotunheimen. Since it's opening in 1892 it has served as an excellent starting point to discover Jotunheimen. It lies at the North end of the Tyin Lake.
Today you will cycle to Koldedalen Valley. This is a lovely detour from the normal Mjølkevegen route, offering stunning views of the mountains Uranostinden and Falketinden. The route is a pretty, scenic route that is flat and easy to cycle. After taking in the gorgeous views, you’ll cycle on towards Tyin/Filefjell. The route will take you along the picturesque Tyin Lake on quiet country roads towards the well-known Tyinkrysset. Here, you will follow the road south towards Filefjellstuene Lodge. This is a pleasant family-run lodge located in the heart of the Tyin-Filefjell area, where you'll find plenty of enjoyable activities to do.
Discover the stunning mountains Uranostinden and Falketinden as you head into the peaceful and picturesque Koldedalen Valley. This scenic and easy flat cycling route is a must-see detour on your "Mjølkevegen" tour. Cycle along gravel roads, taking in the magnificent views of the Tyin Lake, before reaching Tyinkrysset and then Filefjellstuene. Along the way, you'll encounter occasional sheep fields and a drastic difference in scenery compared to previous legs. Tyinkrysset is an important crossing in the region, with the West-road leading to Lærdal and the East-road leading to Vangsmjøse and eventually Fagernes.
Filefjellstuene is located in amid beautiful surroundings, in the heart of Tyin/Filefjell. It is a lively place both during summer and winter as there are loads of activities to do here such as ski touring, cross country skiing, alpine skiing, and trekking.
Today you will cycle from Filefjellstuene to Beitostølen, which is the most challenging part of the Mjølkevegen cycle route. The journey will take you to the historical Kongevegen, and you will cycle past the stunning Sputrefossen waterfall. You will face a steep hill getting to the top of the Slettefjell mountain plateau, and when you reach the top, you’ll be 1315 meters above sea level. From here, you’ll cycle down towards Beitostølen, where you’ll spend the last night of the cycling holiday. Beitostølen is a charming, lively mountain village where you’ll stay at Radisson BLU Mountain Resort Beitostølen. Beitostølen is a lively and charming mountain village. Here you can get a taste of Norwegian mountain life and go out to bars, restaurants or even catch a concert.
You will stay at Radisson BLU Mountain Resort, a traditional first-class full service resort situated at the bottom of the slopes in the centre of Beitostølen.
Experience the beauty of the countryside as you journey through winding roads, quaint towns, and picturesque lakes and fields on your way to Oslo. As you delve deeper into the heart of the country, you'll catch sight of majestic mountains in the distance and climb steep roads that lead straight into the national park. The coach offers comfortable adjustable seats, free WiFi, convenient outlets with USB charging ports, and restroom facilities on board.
If you cancel your booking more than 30 days before the departure date, you will be refunded the amount paid minus a 500 NOK per person fee. If you cancel within 30 days of departure or don't show up, you won't receive a refund except for public charges that don't apply.
The organizer charges a 500 NOK per person administration fee for order changes. If you make changes less than 30 days before departure, it's considered a cancellation and a new booking.
To confirm your booking, you must pay the full amount upon receiving the payment information. It's recommended to have travel insurance that covers both personal damage and accidents that may occur during the trip.
