Cycling Norway - one of the great bike climbing experiences in the world.

Photos clockwise from top left:

Norway #1 Juvasshytta; #2 Tron; #3 Blaho

Lysebotn #8 - Most Epic (bottom left and center).

All of Norway’s hardest bike climbs are situated within 760 kilometers (472 miles) of each other in southern Norway.  The farthest Top 10 climb is only 410 kilometers (255 miles) from Oslo.  Therefore, not only is Norway an amazing place to climb by bike, it is also a convenient one, too.  Below are the top 3 cycling climbs in Norway and the most epic.

NORWAY’S HARDEST BIKE CLIMB

JUVASSHYTTA

Cycling Juvasshytta - Norway #1 / World Top 150

Ride 13 kilometers gaining 1,252 meters to elevation 1,813 meters at 9.6% average grade.

This extremely challenging climb begins in Galdbygde on the Bovra River and ends at the Juvasshytta Lodge near the shores of Juvvatnet.  While a bit of a treck to get to (350 kilometers and 5 hours from Oslo), it is worth the drive and as with all Norwegian climbs, the drive to it is peaceful, rural and scenic.

Juvasshytta Mountain Lodge

NORWAY’S SECOND HARDEST BIKE CLIMB

TRON

Ride 11.2 kilometers gaining 1,156 meters to 1,644 meters elevation at 10.4% average grade.

Situated 300 kilometers due north of Oslo (4 hour drive), Tronfjellet or just Tron^[1] is a prominent mountain at 1644m altitude close to Alvdal, Hedmark, Norway.  This climb is on a dirt road that is easily navigated by road bike.

There is a toll road to the summit open in the summer that was built for the purpose of installing a broadcasting antenna in the 1960’s - no doubt because of the climb’s altitude - Tron is Norway's second highest road. As of 2017, this road is toll free for cyclists.  👍

NORWAY #3 HARDEST BIKE CLIMB

BLAHO

Ride 15 kilometers gaining 1,244 meters to 1,611 meters elevation at 8.2% average grade.

Blaho is one of the higher Norwegian summits that can be climbed by bicycle. In some 15 km we climb 1,257m to the 1,611m summit. The climb starts in the Village of Vagamo which is accessed by National Road 15 that runs along Lake Vagavatnet for the 10 km’s leading to town.  

The weather tower at the top is your beacon.  From the top you have sweeping views of the surrounding mountains and Lake Gagavatnet far below and to the west. (collage - bottom left photo).

NORWAY’S MOST EPIC BIKE CLIMB

LYSEBOTN

Lysefjord at the start and finish

Located in southwestern Norway in the Ryfylke area the fjord is 42 kilometers.

Lysefjord means light fjord which describes the lightly colored granite rocks along the fjord’s sides.

Ride 15 kilometers gaining 1,244 meters to 1,611 meters elevation at 8.2% average grade.

The Lysebotn cycling climbs is one of the world’s great bike climbing experiences.  The views are absolutely stunning and who doesn’t love Norway!!  Although generally not considered a cycling destination, there are some bike climbs in Norway that justify packing up the bike, flying into Oslo and then driving great distances to experience spectacular scenery and epic climbs.  The travel to the climbs is also beautiful and will make the time pass quite pleasantly.

27 hairpins

A scenic and unique cycling experience.

Left - Helmuth and Patricia on Kjeragbolten (984m/3,228’ above Lysebotn) - aaagghhhhh . . .

Right - Helmuth on Nesatind which is to the right and just before reaching Kjeragbolten - best views of all!