Golsfjellet rundt cycling tour
About
The Golsfjellet circuit leads – just as the name suggests – around the mountain plateau of Golsfjellet. It is a nice cycling trip which can be started from about anywhere at Golsfjellet. Large parts of the circuit follow the road Golsfjellveien, so you just find the shortest route to that road and you’re on the way. For this route description, we start at Fjellheim along road 51 between Gol and Leira and follow the clock.
Distance: approx. 30 km
Difficulty: Easy to moderate. Suitable for trailers along the main route (not across the mountain on the cart track).
Terrain: Mountain gravel roads. Highest elevation approx. 1000 m.a.s.l. (after Skutuset).
Tour description:
From Fjellheim, you cycle north on Golsfjellveien and turn left after approx. 1 km, slightly uphill towards Storefjell. After another km (900 m to be precise), turn left and continue steeper uphill to Skutuset. Enjoy the wildflower pastures and lovely farm surroundings at Skutuset as well as the stunning view towards the mountains in the Hallingdal region. Continue on this road with uphills and downhills. As you make you way westwards, you may see all the way to Hallingskarvet. You pass the small lake Fiskedammen and reach Lauvset.
In the following crossing, turn right and cycle uphill onto the plateau of Golsfjellet towards Lauvsjø. If you take a look on the map, you will see that it is possible to extend the trip with approx. 5 km by cycling around the idyllic Lake Lauvsjøen. The mountain Skogshorn is a mighty sight from here. Continue north-east towards Golsfjell Fjellstue at Auenhauglie, from where you can enjoy a panoramic view over Lake Tisleifjorden and a nice downhill run to its shore. Cycling along the lakeshore, you might want to check on the temperature of the water. Is it tempting to take a dip? Before you arrive at Oset the road turns away from the lake and climbs a bit. Soon you will see the small mountain chapel at Oset. Keep to the right here and, with the skiing centre at Bualie in sight, work yourself up the last uphill on this circuit. Arriving at Ørterstølen, you reach the top of the hill and the rest of the return to Fjellheim is easy cycling.
Although the Golsfjellet circuit is an easy trip, it also contains its share of uphill parts where you can use your muscles and get your breath going if you wish. For a tougher trip with approx. 7 km of fun trail cycling, turn right at Lauvsjøen and cycle on the cart track steep uphill to Vesle Auenhaugen, cross right over the plateau of Golsfjellet on Gamle Gurisetvei to Appelsintreet and run downhill to Bualie (Golsfjellet Alpinsenter) where you are back on track and turn right for the last uphill of the trip to Ørsterstølen as described above.
This circuit is marked with the letter A on the cycling map for Valdres and Golsfjellet which is for sale at the hotel receptions in the area: Storefjell Resort, Kamben Høyfjellshotell, Golsfjell Fjellstue, Guriset Høyfjellshotell and Oset Høyfjellshotell.
Have a nice cycling trip!