The Tour de Dovre is a cycling route that runs between Dombås, Hjerkinn, Folldal, Grimsdalen and Dovre. This scenic trip winds through the three national parks of Dovrefjell-Sunndalsfjella, Rondane and Dovre.
Scenery:
on top!
Joy of biking
Stress level:
None
Exciting detours
Choose your own adventure
We have split up the stages to provide a more detailed picture of the route. Of course, you can plan the stages exactly how you wish based on where you would like to stay the night. Feel free to take some detours so you experience even more on your trip!
Between Dombås and Hjerkinn
If you wish to start from Dombås town centre, follow the footpath up to Trolltun Gjestegård. From there you can follow the hiking and bicycle trail called The National Park Trail (Nasjonalparkvegen). This runs parallel to the main E6 road but doesn’t allow any motor traffic and is a superbly adapted gravel road. There are many accommodation and dining possibilities that can be found along the National Park Trail. For example Furuhaugli turisthytter.
After arriving at Hjerkinn, cycle a few hundred metres along county road 29, where the route then continues on Kvitdalsvegen from Hjerkinn Fjellstue og Fjellridning (Hjerkinn Mountain Lodge and Mountain Riding).
Stage length:
30 kilometres
Climb: 234 meters in elevation
Tips!
The toughest climbs are at the start on the way out of Dombås. Don’t use up all your energy at the start.
Between Hjerkinn og Grimsdalen
From Hjerkinn, we recommend the trip via Kvitdalen. This unique alpine pasture valley north of Hjerkinn offers great experiences of nature on gravel roads and wide paths. If you prefer a shorter route, you can always follow county road 29.
You have to follow county road 29 to Folldal anyway. This road is paved and has some traffic, but you can still experience the beautiful nature and there are many opportunities to take a break along the road.
From Folldal, you follow the paved National Tourist Route/County Road 27 to Grimsdalsvegen and Grimsdalshytta.
Stage length:
30 kilometres
Climb: 293 meters in elevation
Tips!
During the summer months, there are grazing animals in both Kvitdalen and Grimsdalen. Show consideration, but feel free to greet the animals that wish to be greeted.
From Grimsdalshytta to Dovre
The trip through Grimsdalen is truly spectacular. The ride along the gravel road offers panoramic views across the Rondane mountainous area. Grimsdalen is an active alpine pasture valley, and the Grimsa River winds beautifully through the valley. Here you will find many great stops for shorter or longer breaks. There is an outside toilet at the Grimsdalshytta and Pundarvangen camping sites.
It is downhill all the way to Dovre town centre from the road barrier at Eftansåe. You should then follow the footpath to Toftemo. If you wish, you can also cycle on Solsidevegen to Dombås.
Stage length:
47 kilometres
Climb: 242 meters in elevation
Tips!
Grimsdalen is a landscape protection area where grazing animals can be found during the summer months. Show consideration to both nature and animals. You may use the toilet at Grimsdalshytta or the outdoor toilets located at the rest stops.
From Dovre to Dombås
You can cycle on solsidevegen/County Road 491 from Dovre to Dombås. This is a turn off before you arrive at Dovre town centre from Grimsdalen. You follow the county road to the E6 and there is a footpath taking you along the final stages to Dombås town centre.
You can also cycle on solsidevegen from Toftemo, or you can choose baksidevegen/County Road 497 which continues on from Toftemo. Both routes are paved side roads adjacent to the E6 and offer many great places along the way. Baksidevegen has a steep climb before you reach Dombås town centre.
Trolltun Gjestegård is north of Dombås town centre.
Stage length:
Ca 12 kilometres
Climb:
179 meters in elevation
Tips!
Try to explore many of the detours between Dovre and Dombås. Here you will find many exciting trips, both on foot and by bike.
Trip descriptions on Outtt
The Tour de Dovre is also described on the trip portal called Outtt.
Feel free to contact us if you can’t find answer to your questions on this site. You can also ask the staff at the place you are staying. They can answer your questions about the tour and our beautiful mountains!
Good to know
Is the river water safe to drink? Are there toilets along the trail? Here are some answers to practical things that are good to know about along the route.
Signs along the Tour de Dovre
The entire Tour de Dovre will be clearly signposted during 2020. The National Park Trail is clearly signposted between Trolltun at Dombås and Hjerkinn.
Make sure you wear the correct clothes
Tour de Dovre is recommended for both summer and autumn trips. Even though the weather might be hot, you need to bring woollen underwear, outerwear that can withstand rain and wind, and a hat and mittens/gloves. The weather can suddenly change in the mountains during the summer.
Safety
Most of Tour de Dovre are on trails for cycling and hiking. When cycling on the roads in Norway, the same traffic regulations and road signs apply to you as to cars and other vehicles: Keep to the right. Give way to those coming from your right. Don’t drink and bike.
Always wear a helmet when cycling. A high visibility vest is a good idea, especially on busy roads.
Your bike must have: White or yellow light in the front. Red light in the back. Red reflector in the rear. White or yellow reflectors on the pedals Two brakes that work independently. Bicycle bell. If you are cycling Tour de Dovre as a part of a longer trip, read more about cycling in Norway at VisitNorway.com
Drinking water from rivers and streams
Feel free to fill your drinking bottle with fresh mountain water! Choose larger streams or rivers when filling. Follow local advice regarding drinking water. During certain periods, it is not advised to drink water from small mountain streams.
Leave no traces behind
Remember, whatever you bring with you needs to be taken home again! Take your rubbish with you and dispose of it in rubbish bins or containers that are along the route. And it helps nature if you pick up any litter you find that others might have forgotten.
Repair kit
Remember to bring a repair kit for your bike and any other necessary accessories. Make sure the bike and other equipment are in working order before you go on a long trip. If a problem arises, the closest help is at Sport 1 Holum Sportsservice at Dombås and MX Sport in Folldal.
Toilets along the route
Nature calls for everyone, but try to avoid just finding the nearest bush. The trip will be a lot more pleasant for those who are right behind you! Use toilets at places of accommodation and dining establishments. There are also toilets at several of the rest stops, see the map above.
First Aid Kit
We presume that you've already got your bicycle helmet on! Also have a little first aid kit in your rucksack. In addition to plasters, sports tape, blister plasters and a reflective vest, it’s useful to have a bivy bag.
Mobile phone coverage
There is mobile coverage most places along the trip, except: Grimsdalen, Kvitdalen, and a few shorter stretches. Some of the detours don’t have mobile coverage.
National parks and nature
The route between three beautiful national parks is what makes the Tour de Dovre unique. There is freedom to roam on foot in national parks, but note that there are some protected areas on the route (for example, Fokstumyra Nature Reserve) which have limited access during certain times of the year. Generally, cycling is prohibited in national parks, but is permitted on certain routes. Always show consideration to both nature and animals.
Using drones
There are several locations along the route where it is permitted to fly drones in order to photograph and film. Parts of the Tour de Dovre run through landscape protection areas, where flying drones is not permitted unless special permission is granted. Find out where the use of drones is permitted by visiting The Civil Aviation Authority of Norway’s website. See also the map where flying is permitted at Safetofly.no.
Tip!
Experience more on your trip! Create your own route including the detours you want to take. We have gathered together all the highlights along the route!
