Valdres, Norway – Hiking, cycling, fishing, skiing

Walking the edge

According to National Geographic, the Besseggen ridge is one of the top 20 hikes in the world. Not surprisingly, it’s located near Valdres – the home to some of the most impressive mountains in Norway.

Dynamic Variation:

valdres.com

Fishing in Valdres.
Photo: Nils Rogn

Hiking at Besseggen.
Photo: Morten Helgesen

Dog sledding at Beitostølen.
Photo: Terje Rakke / Nordic Life AS / Visitnorway.com

Cross-country skiing at Beitostølen.
Photo: Terje Rakke / Nordic life / Visitnorway.com

Off-piste skiing at Beitostølen.
Photo: CH / Visitnorway.com

Sørre Hemsing farmyard in Valdres.
Photo: Tina Stafrèn / Visitnorway.com

Fermented trout "Rakfisk".
Photo: Cathrine Dokken

Find activities and attractions

Whether you’re going on a trip with your family, partner, or friends,
you’ll find plenty of things to do here.

Where to stay in Valdres

Food and drink

Get inspired

See it for yourself

Safety in the mountains

Return to hike another day

Norway is an incredible place to explore, with untamed mythical landscapes, mountains, valleys, and fjords. Before you enter the outdoors, get familiar with the nine simple rules of the Norwegian mountain code to help you stay safe.

Plan your trip and inform others about the route you have selected.
Adapt the planned routes according to ability and conditions.
Pay attention to the weather and the avalanche warnings.
Be prepared for bad weather and frost, even on short trips.
Bring the necessary equipment so you can help yourself and others.
Choose safe routes. Recognize avalanche terrain and unsafe ice.
Use a map and a compass. Always know where you are.
Don’t be ashamed to turn around.
Conserve your energy and seek shelter if necessary.

Read the mountain code with supplementary comments.

Seasons and climate

Dynamic Variation:

Getting here and around

Get in-depth travel information on Valdres’ official website.

Click to activate

By train

The nearest train station is located in Gol, one hour by bus from Fagernes. Travel time from Oslo to Gol by train is around three hours. There are bus connections from Gol to Fagernes several times daily.

Ad: Check out NSB’s webpage for prices and timetables.
by bus

There are regular bus connections to Fagernes and other destinations in Valdres from Oslo, Trondheim, Lillehammer and Bergen. Read more about bus transport in the Valdres region.
By boat

From Oslo, there are ferry connections to Fredrikshavn and Copenhagen in Denmark, as well as Kiel in Germany. Find more information about ferry transportation.
By car

Valdres is a region with a well developed infrastructure. The main artery is the E16, which stretches from the Oslo border in the southeast to Bergen in the west.

You can drive to Valdres from Gol in the southwest and Vågå in the north on Fv51, and from Gjøvik in east on road Fv33.

If you prefer the more scenic route, try driving the National Tourist Route Valdresflye.

Ad: AutoEurope - always a smooth rental experience
Local travel

Fagernes is the main hub for transportation in the area. For more information regarding Taxi and car rental visit Valdres’ official website.

Experience M/B Bitihorn on a breathtaking boat trip along Lake Bygdin. On Lake Gjende, you will find the boats Gjende III and Gjendine which transport thousands of eager hikers every year to the most beautiful areas of Jotunheimen. Find more information about local boat services.
By plane

Oslo Airport is Norway’s national air hub, located about 2 hours and 30 minutes by road from Fagernes in Valdres.

Valdresekspressen runs up to eight times daily from Oslo to Fagernes, with connecting services to Beitostølen (Gjendesheim in summer) and Årdal via Tyinkrysset.

Ad: Widerøe - the largest regional airline in Scandinavia

Transport offers in Valdres

Valdres also offers …

There is no need to wait until you’re here to find out what you’d like to do.

Places to go

Cities and places

Things to do

Plan your trip

Valdres

Walking the edge