Mjølkevegen: South Route (5-days)
The South Route offers shorter, family-friendly cycling tours with beautiful views on the south side of Mjølkevegen. With less hills, great views and shorter routes, this 5-day trip is perfect for families and groups!The South Route is part of Mjølkevegen (The Old Milk Route), which is one of Norway’s most beautiful cycling routes. Mjølkevegen is often translated to The Milky Way, but the name is actually a reference to the fact that this route was used by dairy companies to collect milk from dairy cows in the area.
The bicycle route Mjølkevegen is one of the most popular cycling trails in Norway, and it’s 250 kilometers long, stretching all the way from Vinstra in Gudbrandsdalen to Gol in Hallingdal. The South Route spans part of the route (around 100 km), taking you through the beautiful mountain landscapes and pastures of Golsfjellet, Vaset and Syndin.
The South Route is a family-friendly trail that will suit active families who have some experience with cycling. Since the terrain is generally flat and easy to cycle, it’s a perfect fit for cyclists of all ages and abilities. It’s also a great option for those wanting to experience everything that this beautiful region of Norway has to offer, since this is a flexible tour where you can opt to combine cycling with short or long hikes or try out other scenic cycle routes. There are plenty of other nature experiences just waiting to be discovered, like swimming and fishing in the many lakes, and cultural experiences like visiting the traditional summer farms in the area.
The route starts at Kamben Mountain Lodge located on Golsfjellet, and from there you'll follow the mountain roads over the scenic Stølsvidda to Gomobu in the small mountain village of Vaset. As you cycle, you’ll be able to take in beautiful views of Jotunheimen and the mountains surrounding Hemsedal Valley. The next day, you’ll cycle from Gomobu in Vaset and follow the scenic trail towards Syndin and Syndinstøga. It’s a calm, quiet road mainly used by cyclists, and will offer beautiful views along the way. On the next day, you’ll follow the Grønnsen trail on the south side of Syndin lakes back towards Gomobu. This is a gorgeous route perfect for biking, though the trail can be challenging during wet and rainy periods. On the final day, you’ll cycle back to Kamben using one of the Mjølkevegen side roads – Panoramavegen. The route is flat and easy to cycle, and will be perfectly suited to the whole family.
The landscape in this part of Norway is characterised by flat terrain with few hills, and you’ll have spectacular natural sights all around you. As you cycle on the old gravel roads, you’ll see small lakes and creeks as well as pretty summer meadows where livestock graze. You’ll also pass by several idyllic summer farms which are called “støler” in Norwegian and from which the name “Stølsvidda” comes from. Stølsvidda is one of the most beautiful regions in Valdres, and it offers incredible views of the Norwegian landscape. Be sure to stop and take in the stunning views of the Gilafjell, Grønnsenknippa, Storlifjell and Golsfjellet snow-covered mountaintops as you cycle along the South Route. Norwegians love a traditional packed lunch, and there are several rustic benches along this trail where you can stop and enjoy a bite to eat in the fresh mountain air before getting back on your bike to cycle on.
The South Route is an excellent way to discover this region of Norway from the comfort of your bike seat. The trail offers incredible views without being too difficult to cycle, and will be ideal for families and for those interested in a calm, beautiful route along Mjølkevegen.